This report investigates the existing state, and future direction, of ‘research support’. In recent years research support has become an increasingly integrated part of library operations at higher education institutions. Such support comprises a set of practices that relate researchers and administrative support, where the former receive help with specific problems arising out of the research process (be this help to find relevant literature, publishing, Open Access support, effective communication of their research outputs, and so on). One issue, however, is that research support is a somewhat empty and imprecise term that is as open as the research process to which it relates. There is thus a problem about ascertaining where research support begins and ends, making it an area of administrative practice under constant negotiation.  

This investigation inquires into the present forms that research support takes at Södertörns högskola, with the purpose of, descriptively, coming to a better understanding of this area of library operations, and, prescriptively, to improve provisions for researchers and working conditions for support providers.  Based on a questionnaire, yielding 141 responses, and 17 semi-structured interviews conducted with members of the research community at Södertörns högskola, this report grounds its inquiry into actually existing research support on the experiences and self-interpretations of researchers’ own research practices. The premise of the report is that only on the condition that we better understand the actual ways in which researchers undertake and reflect upon their own research process – what it means to them, as well as their reflections, experiences and expectations regarding research support – will we be in a better position to assess and improve existing provisions. 

A further purpose of this inquiry is to contribute to ongoing academic discussions surrounding research support, both nationally and internationally. The report is to be seen also as part of an ongoing dialogue taking place between university libraries about the extent, scope, and effectivity of help offered to researchers.