Adding An Organization To ROR: A Comprehensive Guide

by Alex Johnson 53 views

Are you looking to add a new organization to the Research Organization Registry (ROR)? This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the process, ensuring your submission is accurate and contributes to the global research community. ROR serves as a vital tool for identifying research affiliations, and adding your organization helps ensure proper credit and recognition for its contributions. Let's dive into the steps and information you'll need to successfully add your organization.

Understanding ROR and Its Importance

Before we delve into the submission process, let's briefly discuss what ROR is and why it's important. The Research Organization Registry (ROR) is a global, community-led registry of research organizations. It provides a unique and persistent identifier (ROR ID) for each organization, which is crucial for disambiguation and accurate attribution in the research ecosystem. Think of it as a digital fingerprint for research institutions worldwide. ROR IDs are used in various applications, including:

  • Identifying affiliations for research publications: Ensuring authors and their institutions are correctly credited for their work.
  • Identifying affiliations for datasets: Linking datasets to the organizations that produced them, promoting data discoverability and reuse.
  • Acknowledging research funders: Tracking the flow of research funding and its impact.
  • Acknowledging research facilities: Recognizing the contributions of specific facilities to research outcomes.
  • Integration in scholarly publishing systems: Streamlining the publishing process and improving data accuracy.

By adding your organization to ROR, you contribute to a more transparent and connected research landscape. This ensures that your institution's research outputs are accurately tracked and attributed, enhancing its visibility and impact within the global scholarly community. A complete and accurate ROR record is essential for proper recognition and helps to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing across institutions and disciplines. The ROR database acts as a central hub, connecting researchers, publications, data, and funding sources, making it a critical component of the modern research infrastructure.

Gathering the Necessary Information

To add a new organization to ROR, you'll need to gather some essential information. This ensures that the record is accurate and complete. Here's a breakdown of the key details you'll need:

  1. Name of Organization: The official and full name of your research organization. Ensure this matches the name used in publications and official documents. This is the primary identifier for your organization within the ROR database, so accuracy is paramount. A clear and consistent name helps avoid confusion and ensures that your organization is easily identifiable in research outputs.

  2. Website: The official website URL of your organization. This provides a direct link to your institution's online presence, allowing users to easily access more information. The website serves as a primary source of information about your organization, its mission, and its activities. It's important to keep this link updated to ensure accurate information is available.

  3. Domains: All relevant domain names associated with your organization (e.g., meerg.ac.ir). This helps to verify the organization and its affiliations. Including all relevant domains helps to ensure that publications and datasets associated with your organization are correctly attributed. This also aids in disambiguation, especially for organizations with similar names.

  4. Link to Publications: If possible, provide a direct link to a page on your website that lists publications from your organization. This makes it easier for others to find and access your research outputs. This link serves as a gateway to your organization's scholarly contributions, providing a centralized location for researchers to explore your publications. Regularly updating this link ensures that the ROR record reflects your organization's latest research.

  5. Organization Type: Select the most appropriate organization type from the ROR classification. Common types include:

    • Facility: A specialized facility where research takes place, such as a laboratory or telescope.
    • Government: A government agency or department involved in research.
    • Healthcare: A hospital or medical research institution.
    • Higher Education: A university or college.
    • Company: A for-profit company engaged in research and development.
    • Nonprofit: A non-profit organization conducting research.
    • Other: If none of the above categories fit, you can select "Other" and provide a brief description.

    Choosing the correct organization type helps to categorize your institution within the ROR database, making it easier for users to find organizations of similar nature. This classification also aids in data analysis and reporting, providing insights into the distribution of research activities across different sectors.

  6. Wikipedia Page (Optional): If your organization has a Wikipedia page, include the link. This provides additional context and information about your institution.

  7. Wikidata ID (Optional): If your organization has a Wikidata ID, include it. Wikidata is a free, collaborative, multilingual knowledge base that can provide valuable information about your organization.

  8. ISNI ID (Optional): The International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI) is a unique identifier for the identities of contributors to creative works. If your organization has an ISNI ID, include it.

  9. GRID ID (Optional): The Global Research Identifier Database (GRID) was a previous registry of research organizations. If your organization has a GRID ID, you can include it for historical reference.

  10. Crossref Funder ID (Optional): If your organization is a research funder and has a Crossref Funder ID, include it. This helps to track research funding and its impact.

  11. Aliases (Optional): List any alternative names or former names of your organization. This helps to improve searchability and ensure that your organization is found even if users search using different names.

  12. Labels (Optional): Provide any relevant labels or descriptions for your organization in different languages. This enhances accessibility and understanding for a global audience.

  13. Acronym/Abbreviation (Optional): Include the acronym or abbreviation of your organization's name (e.g., MEERG for Mabna Energy Environment Research Group). This helps to quickly identify your organization in publications and other contexts.

  14. Related Organizations (Optional): List any organizations that are closely related to yours, such as parent institutions or affiliated research centers. This helps to build a network of connections within the ROR database, improving the overall understanding of the research landscape.

  15. City: The city where your organization is located.

  16. Country: The country where your organization is located.

  17. Geonames ID: The Geonames ID for the city where your organization is located. Geonames is a geographical database that provides unique identifiers for geographical features.

  18. Year Established: The year your organization was established. This provides historical context and helps to understand the organization's evolution.

  19. How will a ROR ID for this organization be used?: Indicate all the ways in which the ROR ID will be used. This includes:

    • To identify affiliations for research publications
    • To identify affiliations for datasets
    • To acknowledge research funders
    • To acknowledge a research facility
    • To be integrated in a scholarly publishing system

    This information helps ROR to understand the usage of the ROR ID and its impact on various research activities. It also provides valuable insights into the ways in which the ROR registry is being utilized within the research community.

Having this information readily available will streamline the submission process and ensure that your organization's record is as complete and accurate as possible. This comprehensive approach contributes to the overall quality and reliability of the ROR database.

Step-by-Step Submission Process

Now that you've gathered the necessary information, let's walk through the step-by-step process of adding your organization to ROR. While the specific submission method might evolve, the general steps remain consistent:

  1. Visit the ROR Website: Go to the official ROR website (ror.org). This is your central hub for all things ROR, including accessing the registry, learning about its mission, and finding resources for adding or updating organization records.
  2. Navigate to the Submission Section: Look for a section on the website dedicated to adding or updating records. This might be labeled as "Contribute," "Add an Organization," or similar. The ROR website is designed to be user-friendly, so the submission section should be easily accessible from the homepage or main navigation menu.
  3. Fill Out the Submission Form: You'll typically find an online form to complete. This form will ask for the information you gathered in the previous step, such as the organization's name, website, domains, and other relevant details. Be prepared to provide all the required information accurately and completely. Double-check your entries before submitting to ensure there are no errors or omissions.
  4. Provide Supporting Documentation (If Required): Depending on the submission process, you might be asked to provide supporting documentation to verify the information you've provided. This could include official documents, such as registration certificates or letters of incorporation. Providing supporting documentation helps to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the ROR data.
  5. Submit Your Request: Once you've completed the form and attached any necessary documents, submit your request. The ROR team will review your submission to ensure it meets their criteria and standards. This review process is crucial for maintaining the quality and integrity of the ROR registry.
  6. Await Review and Approval: The ROR team will review your submission. This process may take some time, so be patient. The review process typically involves verifying the information you've provided and ensuring it aligns with ROR's guidelines. The ROR team may also contact you if they require additional information or clarification.
  7. Receive Confirmation and ROR ID: If your submission is approved, you'll receive a confirmation email and your organization's unique ROR ID. This ROR ID is a persistent identifier that you can use in publications, datasets, and other research outputs. Make sure to store your ROR ID in a safe and accessible place, as it will be essential for accurately attributing your organization's research contributions.

By following these steps carefully, you can successfully add your organization to ROR and contribute to a more transparent and connected research ecosystem. Remember to keep your organization's ROR record updated as needed to reflect any changes in your institution's information.

Specific Example: Adding Mabna Energy Environment Research Group

Let's apply these steps to the specific example of adding the Mabna Energy Environment Research Group. Based on the information provided:

  • Name of Organization: Mabna Energy Environment Research Group
  • Website: https://meerg.ac.ir/
  • Domains: meerg.ac.ir
  • Link to Publications: meerg.ac.ir
  • Organization Type: Facility (A specialized facility where research takes place, such as a laboratory or telescope or dedicated research area)
  • Wikipedia Page: N/A
  • Wikidata ID: N/A
  • ISNI ID: N/A
  • GRID ID: N/A
  • Crossref Funder ID: N/A
  • Aliases: N/A
  • Labels: N/A
  • Acronym/Abbreviation: N/A
  • Related Organizations: N/A
  • City: Tehran
  • Country: Iran
  • Geonames ID: N/A (This would need to be looked up on the Geonames website)
  • Year Established: 2020
  • How will a ROR ID for this organization be used? To identify affiliations for research publications, To identify affiliations for datasets, To acknowledge research funders, To acknowledge a research facility, To be integrated in a scholarly publishing system

Using this information, you would fill out the ROR submission form, providing all the details accurately. You would then submit the request and await the review process. Once approved, the Mabna Energy Environment Research Group would receive its unique ROR ID, which could then be used to identify its affiliations in various research outputs.

Tips for a Successful Submission

To ensure a smooth and successful submission, keep these tips in mind:

  • Accuracy is Key: Double-check all information before submitting. Errors or inconsistencies can delay the approval process.
  • Completeness Matters: Provide as much information as possible, even if it's optional. A complete record enhances the organization's visibility and credibility.
  • Use Official Sources: Verify information using official sources, such as the organization's website or registration documents.
  • Be Patient: The review process may take time. Avoid submitting duplicate requests.
  • Stay Updated: If any information about your organization changes, update your ROR record promptly.

By adhering to these tips, you can significantly increase the likelihood of a successful submission and ensure that your organization is accurately represented in the ROR registry. A well-maintained ROR record is a valuable asset for any research institution, contributing to its recognition and impact within the global research community.

Conclusion

Adding your organization to ROR is a crucial step in ensuring accurate attribution and recognition for its research contributions. By following this guide and providing complete and accurate information, you can successfully navigate the submission process and become part of the global ROR community. Remember to keep your ROR record updated to reflect any changes in your organization's information. This proactive approach ensures the ongoing accuracy and relevance of your institution's presence in the ROR registry.

For further information and resources, be sure to visit the official ROR website at ror.org. You can also explore related resources on research identifiers and scholarly communication on the DataCite website.