How do I increase the searchability of my work?

 Source: https://library.hee.nhs.uk/learning-academy/learning-zone/writing-for-publication

Writing for publication

What is writing for publication and why is it important? Answers to your questions, and useful resources.

Select the expander for FAQs on planning your article, writing it, getting it reviewed and tasks post-publication.

Step 1: Planning FAQs

Step 2: Writing your article FAQs

Step 3: In review FAQs

Step 4: Post Publication FAQs

How can I increase the visibility of my research?

Your research is more likely to be noticed and used by others if it is visible and accessible. This will increase your academic kudos within the scientific community and the likelihood of your work making a positive impact.

The University of Pittsburgh outlines 6 main steps to increase visibility:

1. Get an ORCiD.
2. Share outputs of your research.
3. Create and keep an up-to-date online profile.
4. Engage in social networking communities.
5. Notify local communications department to promote research
6. Blog/Tweet

Another key method of promoting your work is to attend a relevant conference and present your work as a poster or conference abstract.

Many big publishers also produce their own guides for increasing the visibility of your research. One example is the 9 free resources to promote your research from Elsevier.

Finally ensure that you notify the owners of local/institutional repositories of the publication of your paper. Adding it to a searchable repository will increase the discoverability of your work.

How can I use social media to increase the visibility of my work?

The Times Higher Education has produced a blog post on the 10 ways you can use social media to get your research noticed, this includes:

• eye catching visualisations and infographics
• providing links to open access versions of research
• recognising social media promotion as part of the research process

Loughborough University has a research guide on measuring research visibility.

How do I increase the searchability of my work?

A paper on Effective Strategies for Increasing Citation Frequency also highlights the importance of ‘keywords’. Keywords are vital ways in which other researchers will discover your work.

Use specific keywords which reflect the important aspects of your paper. Consider what you would look for if you were searching for your own research.

• remove any keywords which are too broad narrow, obscure or misleading
• be descriptive with your title: your title should clearly tell your reader what your paper is about
• keep your keywords relevant
• include the top 3 keywords in your title
• keep your title between 50 and 140 characters
• title, abstract and keywords are the most important aspects of your paper, especially when it comes to search engine optimisation

How can I increase the ‘citability’ of my research?

By contributing to the research landscape, you are contributing to the research discourse. If you pay attention to who is citing your research, you can also see who is building on your work and identify future collaborators.

Here are some top tips for increasing your ‘citability’:

• collaborate with likeminded researchers
• refrain from engaging in any questionable practices, this may damage your reputation
• communicate with your networks and colleagues
• engage in self citing of your own research

How do I know whether my research has had an impact?

Research metrics can help you to gain a quantitative understanding of how influential your research has become. Funders are also increasingly requiring researchers to demonstrate their commitment to responsible research metrics.

Further information on responsible research metrics can be found on the University of Leeds website.

For further information, find your local library service via the Health Library & Information Services Directory.

Check with other relevant departments within your own organisation which may be able to assist with your publication.