The Library System of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has held a training programme for newly appointed academic staff on research skills, digital tools and ethical publishing.
The programme aimed to help staff navigate the university’s research environment, produce credible scholarly work and make informed publishing decisions.
University Librarian Dr. Richard Bruce Lamptey said the initiative formed part of the Library System’s efforts to support academic staff and strengthen the university’s research and innovation agenda.
“Newly appointed academic staff need the right skills, tools and guidance to establish themselves as researchers and contribute meaningfully to the University’s research output. Through this training, we seek to provide them with the knowledge they need to conduct and publish research responsibly while increasing the visibility and impact of their work,” he said.
Participants received guidance on creating and managing academic profiles on platforms including ORCID, Google Scholar, ResearchGate and Scopus to improve the visibility and accessibility of their publications.
Dr. Lamptey said effective management of researchers’ online profiles could broaden the reach of their work and strengthen its contribution to global scholarship.
He also stressed the importance of research integrity, including the appropriate use of Turnitin, the interpretation of similarity reports and the identification of predatory journals.
“Research integrity is fundamental to credible scholarship. You must understand how to interpret similarity reports appropriately and ensure that your work meets the required standards of originality and ethical publication,” Lamptey said.
The sessions also covered the university’s requirements for verifying publications for academic promotion. Participants received guidance on accessing the library’s scholarly databases and electronic resources to support teaching, learning and research.
Story: Belinda Opoku Danso Photos: Edwin Opoku Agyemang
