National-Level Workshop: Empowering the Art of Research and Publication Skills

Organized by: Department of PostGraduation Studies in Social Work in association with the Research Development Cell (RDC) and Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of St. Philomena’s College, Bannimantap, Mysuru

 Resource Person: Dr. K. S. Ali, M.L.I.Sc, Ph.D., Deputy Librarian and Assistant Professor, Central Library and Dept. of Library & Information Science, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru, Karnataka Objective: The National-Level Workshop on Empowering the Art of Research and Publication Skills, held on September 1, 2023, at St. Philomena’s College, Bannimantap Mysuru, was a significant event aimed at emphasizing the importance of promoting quality research integrity and publication ethics among faculty and research scholars.

The workshop provided valuable insights into scholarly publications, available platforms, university ranking agencies, research metrics, and practical tools for research and publication. Inauguration: The workshop commenced with a ceremonial inauguration at 10:30 a.m., marked by the lighting of a lamp and a prayer song. Additionally, a handbook authored by Dr. Noor Mubasheer CA, PG Dean titled “A Handbook for Social Work Practice in Mysuru” was launched. Prof Othbert Pinto, PG Director, addressed the gathering, highlighting the technological transformation in the contemporary world and the role of observation, knowledge, and innovation in driving societal change. Dr. Ravi J D Saldanha, Principal, stressed the importance of acquiring research skills as academicians and noted the prominence of research in the New Education Policy 2020 (NEP). Morning Session: The morning session, starting at 11 a.m., featured Dr. Ali’s presentation on the importance of scholarly publications in academic institutes. He emphasized the significance of scholarly publications and elucidated available platforms for publishing research works.

The session covered the benefits of scholarly publication, university ranking agencies such as NIRF, NAAC, and ARIA, and provided insights into SCOPUS, Web of Sciences, UGC care list, and SCIMAGO. Dr. Ali also explained the distinctions between index, non-index, and predatory journals, shedding light on potential publication scams. He delved into the importance of research metrics and provided guidance on calculating research metric scores. Afternoon Session: The afternoon session, commencing at 1:45 p.m., engaged participants in hands-on activities focused on the significance of research and publication tools. Dr. Ali guided participants in practical exercises on their laptops to deepen their understanding. He provided comprehensive training on using Mendeley Desktop and demonstrated how to publish articles in suitable journals using tools such as Journal Guide, EDANZ, and JANE. The session further explored the integration of libraries in the research support system and included a segment on converting research articles to various journal formats using AI tools like Typeset/SCISPACE. Overall Experience: The workshop was marked by active engagement, well-organized lunch arrangements, and the distribution of research kits to all registered participants. The event garnered attendance from more than 30 participants, including students, faculty, and research scholars. Distinguished individuals such as Rev. Dr. Bernard Prakash Barnis, Rector, Rev. Fr. Christoper SJ, Asst. to Rector, Dr. Ravi J D Saldanha, Principal, Prof. Othbert Pinto, PG Director, Mr. A. Thomas Gunaseelan, IQAC Coordinator, and Dr. Noor Mubasheer CA, PG Dean of St. Philomena’s College, graced the workshop with their presence. Conclusion: In conclusion, the National-Level Workshop on Empowering the Art of Research and Publication Skills proved to be an enriching experience for all participants. Dr. Ali’s informative sessions and practical demonstrations equipped attendees with valuable knowledge and skills necessary for successful research and publication endeavours. The event exemplified the commitment of St. Philomena’s College to fostering a culture of research excellence and academic integrity. Participants expressed their feedback, and Sherly Antony, Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work, conveyed a vote of thanks to conclude the day’s sessions. This workshop undoubtedly contributed to the advancement of research and publication skills among the academic community.