Facets of digital data dissemination: value addition through “imprints collection”

Facets of digital data dissemination, namely RRI Digital repository and Imprints collection, are two methods in which science communication can happen in the digital world. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the design, novelty and functionality of these facets as an archive, comprising a collage of profiles and publications of RRIians whose imprints on the sands of time have been culled and collated for posterity.

RRI Digital repository makes use of DSpace to preserve and showcase the research papers in text format, audio/video of lectures and images. Imprints collection is designed using Dreamweaver software. Images are uploaded using Jalbum.net software.

DSpace, an open source software meant for managing digital assets can be used as a platform to develop a modern genre of data dissemination. An example to this end is the Imprints collection, a bio‐bibliographic database with many valuable additions showcasing the digital scholarship of an institute with archival value.

Practical implications of both RRI digital repository and imprints collection is to act as support service to enhance the creativity and collaboration among scientists of the institute within and across different research institutes in the country and across the world. Further, ResearcherID embedded in the profile pages of scientists helps scientometricians in citation analysis.

Novelty associated with imprints collection in science communication using DSpace data is the strength of this tool. This is a unique style of digital data dissemination with supporting links between authors, their persona, their papers, lectures and photographs.