The Research Practices of Faculty in Asian Studies: A Local Report by the Harvard Library

Abstract

In 2017, Harvard University participated in a national study on research practices of academics in Asian studies. The goal of the study was to understand the resources and services these faculty members need to be successful in their research. This study, based on the qualitative analysis of semi‐structured interviews, was part of Ithaka S+R’s national effort: Research Support Services Project on Asian Studies. The project is the latest in a series of Ithaka S+R studies. Previous studies focused on scholars in history, chemistry, art history, religion, agriculture, and public health. Harvard joined a cohort of 11 participating universities: Arizona State University, Claremont Colleges, Harvard University, Indiana University Bloomington, Lafayette College, Trinity University, University of California Los Angeles, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Maryland, University of Texas Austin, and University of Washington. A portion of Harvard’s anonymized results, along with data from other participating institutions, was submitted to Ithaka S+R for analysis. The aggregated data will inform a national report that will be published by Ithaka S+R in early 2018. The national report and all local reports will be published open access with links available on the Ithaka S+R website. This report summarizes our local, Harvard‐specific findings and is organized into five themes: Research Topics/Field of Asian Studies/Impact; Research Methods/Habits/Practices; Information Access; Data and Digital Scholarship; and Dissemination of Scholarship. Attached to the report is a series of related Appendices.