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Using CGSpace

This is a guide to using all aspects of the CGIAR Consortial Repository, CGSpace.

Item Types

Abstract (Example)

A brief summary of a work on a particular subject, designed to act as the point-of-entry that will help the reader quickly to obtain an overview of the work's contents. The abstract may be an integral part of the work itself, written by the same author(s) and appearing at the beginning of a work such as a research paper, report, review or thesis. Alternatively it may be separate from the published work itself, and written by someone other than the author(s) of the published work, for example by a member of a professional abstracting service such as CAB Abstracts. Conferences often require - and publish - abstracts of presentations or posters. It should be structured to summarize study objectives, background, methods, results, conclusions and recommendations. (Source) In CGspace, we often have entries for the abstract of a conference paper or a conference poster. Summaries of an article are usually included in the field for the item. 

Audio

Resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Individual audio files can be brought together and published through, for example, a podcast series. (COAR)

  • Use this for the individual episodes in a Podcast.

Blog

A web publication medium, typically on a topic or from an individual or a team, containing blog posts. Each post has a unique URL and is published sequentially over time and, in CGSpace, usually has a separate entry with 'Blog Post' item type. A blog platform like WordPress is often
used as a website. (COAR)

Blog Post (Example)

A piece of writing or other item of content published on a blog. Usually with a distinct title, date, author(s), and URL.

Book (Example)

Non-serial publication that is complete in one volume or a designated finite number of volumes. Most 'books' are published commercially and sold by specialised publishers. Some research organizations also publish books, though they are most likely to be 'reports'. (COAR)

Book Chapter (Example)

A defined chapter within a book, with individually identified authors/contributors, with a separate title, and often with a number. (Source)

Brief (Example)

Sometimes known as a Factsheet. Short description, synthesis or summary of research or findings, usually for a specific audience (research briefs showcase new research initiatives; policy briefs provide policy recommendations; there can also be briefs for extension workers, decision-makers or other target audiences.) (COAR)

Brochure (Example)

Pamphlet, booklet, leaflets and other pocket, foldable graphic and informative products containing summarized or introductory information or advertising.

Case Study (Example)

Sometimes known as an Outcome Case Study. A case study is an in-depth, detailed examination of a particular case (or cases) within a real-world context. Generally, a case study can highlight nearly any individual, group, organization, event, belief system, or action. A case study does not necessarily have to be one observation, but may include many observations (one or multiple individuals and entities across multiple time periods, all within the same case study). (Source)

Conference Proceedings (Example)

A document containing the programme and collected conference papers, or their abstracts, presented at a conference, seminar, symposium or similar event. (Source)

Data Paper (Example)

Data papers have been defined as scholarly journal publications whose primary purpose is to describe research data. The simplest definition is that data papers focus on “information on the what, where, why, how and who of the data” rather than original research results. Data papers have also been defined as “a searchable metadata document”, describing a particular dataset or a group of datasets, published in the form of a peer-reviewed article in a scholarly journal.

Dataset (Example)

Collection of related facts and data encoded in a defined structure. (COAR)

Equation

Equation is a statement of equality between two expressions consisting of variables and/or numbers. Equations vary in complexity from simple algebraic equations (involving only addition or multiplication) to differential equations, exponential equations (involving exponential expressions), and integral equations. They are used to express many of the laws of physics. (Source)

Extension Material (Example)

Extension materials aim at communicating a simple message to motivate the target group (for example, rice farmers) to change the way they do something. Extension materials can be verbal communications, bulletins/brochures, posters, radio dramas or videos. (Source)

Image (Example)

Recorded static visual representation. This class of image includes diagrams, drawing, graphs, graphic designs, plans, photographs, and prints. (COAR)

Infographic

An infographic is a visual representation of information or data that is designed to communicate complex or abstract ideas in a simple and easy-to-understand format.

Journal Article (Example)

Article by an author or a team of authors published in an academic or scholarly journal or another periodical.

Journal Issue (Example)

Sometimes known as a Special Issue. A specific edition of a scholarly publication that contains a collection of articles or papers on various topics within a specific field of study. Usually guest edited with papers from an event or on a topic.

Journal Item

A short piece or contribution published within an academic journal but not having the form of an article. Typical examples: a book review, correspondence or letter to the editors.

  • For an editorial, please use the Opinion Piece type.

Magazine

A periodical, usually devoted to a particular topic or domain of interest, and usually published weekly or monthly, consisting primarily of non-peer reviewed editorials, journalistic news items and more substantive articles, reviews, book reviews and discussions concerning current or recent events and publications, and matters of interest to the domain served by the magazine. [Some scientific journals, notably Science and Nature, also secondarily serve as science magazines by containing substantive editorials and news items on vital or controversial issues]. (Source)

Magazine Article

An article published in a magazine issue. Typically for more general audiences. (Source)

Manual (Example)

Sometimes known as Guidelines; User Manual; Toolkit. Any type of technical documentation that describes handling, functionality and architecture of a technical product or a product under development or use. Typically, explains how to steps to undertake an activity or task. (COAR)

Manuscript-unpublished

Something in this category should not be cataloged. In many cases, manuscripts are prepared for journal publishers and many journals will not accept material if previously published

Map (Example)

Any material representing the whole or part of the Earth or any celestial body at any scale. Cartographic materials include two- and three-dimensional maps and plans (including maps of imaginary places); aeronautical, navigational, and celestial charts; atlases; globes; block diagrams; sections; aerial photographs with a cartographic purpose; bird's-eye views (map views), etc. (COAR)

Model

A scientific model is a physical and/or mathematical and/or conceptual representation of a system of ideas, events or processes. Scientists seek to identify and understand patterns in our world by drawing on their scientific knowledge to offer explanations that enable the patterns to be predicted. (Source)

News Item

Article(s) in a daily, weekly or monthly publication reporting on news and social issues aimed at the public. May entail critical analysis based on expertise in the field. For items published by an organization for news and media see Press Release. (CASRAI)

  • Use this for items produced by third parties about CGIAR and its Centers or our work.

Newsletter (Example)

A newsletter is a regular publication that is distributed to subscribers via email, print, or online platforms. It typically contains news, updates, and information on a specific topic, industry, or organization.

Opinion Piece

Sometimes known as an Editorial. A viewpoint or perspectve on an issue, with named author(s), normally published in a media outlet. (Source)

Podcast (Example)

A podcast is an audio program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. For example, an episodic series of digital audio files that a user can download to a personal device to listen to at a time of their choosing. A podcast series comprises individual audio files. (Source)

Poster (Example)

Opaque (e.g., two-dimensional) art originals and reproductions, charts, photographs or materials intended to be projected or viewed without sound, e.g., filmstrips, transparencies, photographs, posters, pictures, radiographs, slides, and collections of such materials. Typically a single 'slide' or 'page' containing visuals, text and charts that summarizing ongoing research or results and 'presented' at an event. Some posters can be more general purpose to convey important messages or other information. (NISO)

Presentation (Example)

Expositions and dissertations given through Microsoft PowerPoint or other presentation software.

Press Item

Also known as a Press Release. A news report published by an organization to provide information to journalists or other audiences. (Source)

  • Use this for items produced by us for news and media.

Proposal

A proposal is a document that outlines a proposed research project and is typically submitted to a funding agency or other entity that provides support for research activities.

Questionnaire

A questionnaire is a research tool that consists of a set of questions that are designed to gather information from a group of people.

  • Use this for paper-based surveys as well as ODK XLSX forms (unless the form is submitted as part of a dataset).

Report

A formal factual, methodological, statistical, technical or research report issued by an individual, group, agency, government body or other institution. (Source)

Social Media Output

Social media output refers to any content that is created and posted on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and others. Social media output can take many forms, including text, images, videos, live streams, and other multimedia content.

Software (Example)

Software is the compiled or executable version of a program.

Source Code (Example)

Source code is the version of software as it is originally written (i.e., typed into a computer) by a human in plain text (i.e., human readable alphanumeric characters).

Template (Example)

A template is a pre-designed document, file, or set of instructions that serves as a starting point for creating new documents or materials.

Thesis (Example)

A thesis or dissertation is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings. (COAR)

Training Material (Example)

Also known as a Training Manual. Reference materials providing proper knowledge and instructions to carry out the implementation of specific technologies, practices, and interventions. Can be designed to be 'delivered' through training or 'acquired' through learning. (Europa.eu)

Video (Example)

A moving display, either generated dynamically by a computer program or formed from a series of pre-recorded still images imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. (COAR)

Website (Example)

Also known as a Wiki. A website is a collection of related web pages that are accessed through a common domain name or URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and are typically hosted on a web server. Websites can serve a variety of purposes, such as providing information, offering products or services, enabling communication and collaboration, or entertaining visitors. A website is typically of an organization or a project, they can be thematic or issue-based, they can take the form of a wiki and be managed through a 'blog' software.

Working Paper (Example)

Also known as a Discussion Paper. A working paper is a preliminary or draft version of a research paper that is intended to be shared with others for the purpose of feedback and collaboration. Often, not peer-reviewed.

IFPRI is a CGIAR Research Center