Science Communication & Research Analytics Course | IIT Delhi | Open Source Tools
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 245 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 24 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the Power of Research Data: A Comprehensive Guide to Science Communication & Analytics
In today's data-driven academic landscape, the ability to effectively communicate and quantitatively analyze research impact is no longer a niche skill—it's a necessity. Scientists, librarians, administrators, and policy makers are increasingly tasked with evaluating vast amounts of scholarly output to inform decisions on funding, rankings, and strategic direction. How can you navigate this complex terrain without a background in programming or advanced statistics?
The answer lies in a groundbreaking new course from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi: Science Communication: Research Productivity and Data Analytics using Open Source Software. This 12-week postgraduate program is meticulously designed to demystify the world of research metrics and science mapping, empowering professionals across disciplines with practical, hands-on skills.
Why This Course is Essential for Modern Professionals
Research evaluation is critical for universities, R&D organizations, and funding bodies. Traditional methods are giving way to sophisticated, data-informed analyses that require specific tools and knowledge. This course bridges that gap, offering:
- Practical Skills: Move from theory to application, learning to extract, clean, analyze, and visualize research data.
- Open-Source Focus: Master powerful, free tools like R, RStudio, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace, eliminating software cost barriers.
- No Prerequisites Needed: The course starts from the basics, making it accessible to anyone with an undergraduate degree, regardless of their background in math or programming.
- Career Advancement: Gain a competitive edge in roles involving research management, library sciences, academic administration, and policy development.
Learn from Distinguished Experts: Your Course Instructors
The course is led by renowned authorities in library and information science, bringing a wealth of practical and international experience.
Prof. Nabi Hasan, Librarian & Head of the Central Library at IIT Delhi, is a decorated professional with global recognition, including the SLA Engineering Librarian of the Year Award (2021) and the Norman E. Borlaug Fellowship. With 17 books and over 175 publications, he provides unparalleled insight into the global standards of research communication and evaluation.
Prof. Mohit Garg, Assistant Librarian at IIT Delhi, brings expertise in ICT applications, data science, and machine learning to the curriculum. His role on the IFLA Indigenous Matters Standing Committee and his research background ensure the course content is both technically robust and globally relevant.
A Deep Dive into the 12-Week Curriculum
The course is structured to build your knowledge systematically, from foundational concepts to advanced case studies.
| Week | Core Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1-3 | Foundations: Science communication channels, open science, research metrics (author, journal, article-level), and data extraction from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar. |
| Weeks 4-6 | Tool Mastery & Analysis: Introduction to R and RStudio, bibliometric laws (Lotka, Bradford, Zipf), and descriptive publication/citation analysis. |
| Weeks 7-9 | Advanced Mapping & Mining: Science mapping techniques (co-citation, bibliographic coupling), data visualization with VOSviewer/CiteSpace, and text mining for topic modeling. |
| Weeks 10-12 | Application & Ethics: Best practices in academic rankings (THE, QS, NIRF), ethical guidelines, academic integrity, and practical case studies on domains, authors, journals, and institutions. |
Who Should Enroll?
This course is specifically designed for a wide range of professionals aiming to harness data for research assessment:
- Faculty and Researchers across all disciplines
- Postgraduate Students
- University Administrators and Policy Makers
- Information Professionals and Library Science Experts
- R&D and Ranking Agency Personnel
Key Learning Outcomes and Industry Support
Upon completion, you will be equipped to conduct independent research assessment studies, prepare reports for accreditation and ranking, and publish findings in reputed journals. The course is endorsed by the very sectors it prepares you for:
- Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs) & Higher Education Institutes (HEIs)
- R&D Organizations and Ranking Agencies (e.g., NIRF)
- Publishing Industry and Policy-making Bodies
- Library and Information Centers
Embrace the future of research evaluation. This course provides the key to unlocking the stories hidden within publication data, using the power and accessibility of open-source software. Transform from a consumer of rankings to a creator of insightful, evidence-based analysis.
Duration: 12 Weeks | Level: Postgraduate | Category: Humanities and Social Sciences
Enroll Now →