SIMARECH 3: A New Application for the Governance of Scientific Research

Abstract

In the international context of research assessment, many countries appear to move critically towards a quantitative evaluation policy, which would eventually complement or replace the traditional peer review system. However, infometrics studies, based on the running of large international scientific databases, are confused by the complex organization of their research system. Furthermore, these databases prove to be inadequate to study the local research institutions and units. After a description of the current situation and a needed analysis survey, this proposal presents the design and development of an information system conceived as a tool for monitoring the research carried out by a university or another institution. Based on the use of an effective application developed by a team of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University(UAE) dedicated to conduct collaborative extranet, this information system, called SIMArech "Système d'Information de la Recherche Scientifique", is fully customizable in "realtime". It is available in Arabic, English and French and its flexibility enables it to dynamically adjust to the specificities of any institution having research units. Actually, several universities in three countries are implementing this system to improve their management of scientific research. Several examples are given to demonstrate how this tool is able to continuously develop a "state of the art" or a "dashboard" for these structures and their scientific production. The emphasis is put on the fact that local research structures, as well as national structures, needless research evaluation than valorization of their research.

Enhanced model for ergonomic evaluation of information systems: application to scientific research information system

“…The modular nature of the system and the flexibility of its data model facilitate processing, organizing and transmitting information in accordance with international standards. At the same time, SIMArech provides the chance to easily shape local and national requirements [7]. We present trough Figure 3 the Overall interface of research projects:…”

“…accessibility, practicality, emotionality and persuasivity) which makes it possible to deduce strengths and improvement points. In order to evaluate ourmodel [6], the ergonomic quality of Moroccan information system of scientific research (SIMArech) [7] has been studied. The rest of this paper is organized as follow: firstly, a literature review about the subject is presented in section 2.…”

Intelligent System for the use of the Scientific Research Information System

“…SIMARECH is indeed the result of a collaborative work, its creation was at the Abdelmalek Essaadi University in 2008 [2]. The first version was in fair testing phase at the UAE institutions.…”

“…SIMARECH is an IT platform that facilitates the collection and management of data on research activities and results within an organization [2]. It aims to present in a coherent way the establishments, the research units within the university, including the personnel and their scientific activities (publications, patents, events, equipment, etc.…”

“…The 2013-2016 action plan [1] has devoted an axis to the promotion of scientific, technical and innovation research, which is based on several projects, among them we find the development of a computer system for scientific research in universities. Indeed, a Moroccan information system for scientific research (SIMARECH) is set up by Abdelmalek Essaadi University and generalized to the various universities after having tested it at this university [2]. This system tracks research activities at the national level and the information needed to manage research.…”