Research Outcomes System - Keele University
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Research Outcomes System (ROS)

The Research Outcomes System (ROS) is an online data collation system used by AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC and ESRC to collect information about the outcomes of their funded research. In the first data collection exercise taking place between January and March 2012 information will be sought regarding current research projects and all those that have ended since 1 April 2006.  Following this grant holders will be contacted at least once a year to provide updates on their portfolio of Research Council grants.  Grantholders will be able to access the system throughout the year by logging on using their existing Je-S login details.  The system can be accessed via www.rcuk.ac.uk/researchoutcomes.  To reduce the burden on grant holders Keele are administering this centrally and are contacting PIs directly during February 2012, utilising information already in the publications database (to avoid duplication). 

Why is the Research Outcomes System important?

The information returned will be used by the Research Councils to demonstrate the benefit of their research to society and the UK economy. On an individual basis it may be also be used for peer review purposes in the future. This process of collecting outcomes data will be applicable for all future grants.

What is included?

Information about all research, public engagement and commercialisation projects funded by ESRC, EPSRC, BBSRC and AHRC will be sought. The emphasis in the first collection exercise will be on Key Findings, Publications/Other Research Outputs and Impact.

What is not included?

Studentships and doctoral training style grants.

What about data already submitted via final reports?

Data that has been submitted to the Research Councils via final reports will be input into the Research Outcomes System (ROS) by the Research Councils on behalf of the grant holders.

What are the other Research Councils doing?

The MRC, NERC and STFC each have their own data collection systems (MRC e-Val, ROD) and some of them have been collecting information for a number of years.  NERC have already indicated they will be transferring to the Research Outcomes System (ROS) in the future.  Details on when the transfer will occur is expected in due course but for now NERC grant holders should continue to use ROD in the usual way.  It is likely that at some future point all these systems will be harmonised and a single interface used to upload this information. 

Please contact Caroline Pugh in Research and Enterprise Services if you have any queries (ext: 34493, e-mail: c.r.pugh@keele.ac.uk).