Research Tracking and Management Information Systems: The GoMRI Research Information System

Ritchie, J. B., & Shean, S. (2014). Research Tracking and Management Information Systems: The GoMRI Research Information System. Bays and Bayous 2014. Mobile, AL: Northern Gulf Institute.

A common challenge for research labs, universities, and large research-funding programs is the identification and tracking of the people and projects funded through its programs. Additionally, the linkage of this information to scientific output (primarily publications and presentations) is an important additional challenge. The establishment and management of a research information system can help these programs manage their activities and personnel. An added bonus is the ability to leverage these same systems to provide research information that can be utilized to populate research web pages and generate interim and annual reports tabulating and summarizing the program’s research activities. The Northern Gulf Institute as part of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) Administrative Unit leads the program's effort to develop, maintain, and evolve the GoMRI Research Information System (RIS). This information system provides tracking and inventory capabilities for projects, people, institutions, presentations, and publications. Using the data relationships found between the individual elements of the program, the team has developed a system that not only provides both administrative and management capabilities, but is also the core information source driving the content for the GoMRI research web site (research.gulfresearchinitiative.org).