Educational-Analytical Portal U-MARC4OS
The Educational and Analytical Portal is dedicated to the assessment, self-assessment, and development of researchers' competencies based on the “Universal Matrix of Assessment of Research Competencies of Scientists in the Context of Open Science” (U-MARC4OS).
Approaches to research assessment are undergoing significant transformation in the era of Open Science. The dynamism and scale of changes in the research landscape within the context of Open Science drive the diversification of tasks and functions, thereby intensifying the requirements for researchers' competencies.
Researchers are the primary agents of research and innovation for the advancement of science and society. It is imperative that they possess universal competencies essential for a successful career across all sectors of society, including academia, industry, public administration, and the non-profit sector.
U-MARC4OS:
- Integrates 143 generalised competency indicators, classified into 21 categories;
- Is based on 5 key stages of the research lifecycle (from conceptualisation to social impact);
- Incorporates Open Science principles and requirements;
-
Is a universal tool designed to assist researchers in:
- ➭ building awareness of a broad range of research competencies;
- ➭ assessing and developing transversal skills, facilitating intersectoral mobility and career development.
Methodological Basis of U-MARC4OS
The U-MARC4OS Universal Matrix incorporates a list of general and unique research competencies presented in current European methodologies [ https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17215878 ]:
- European Skills Competences Qualifications and Occupations, Research and development manager (ESCO RDM);
- European Skills Competences Qualifications and Occupations, University research assistant (ESCO URA);
- European Skills Competences Qualifications and Occupations, Transversal Skills and Competences (ESCO TSC);
- The European Competence Framework for Researchers (RESEARCH COMP);
- OPUS Researcher Assessment Framework (OPUS RAF).
Key Principles of U-MARC4OS:
- Comprehensiveness: Considers the full spectrum of research competencies, not merely quantitative metrics;
- Cyclicity: Structured according to the 5 stages of the research activity lifecycle;
- Open Science: Integrates Open Science requirements (Open Access, FAIR data, Citizen Science);
- Personal Orientation: Facilitates self-assessment and the formation of personal development trajectories;
- Multi-level Approach: Offers a 5-level scale for the assessment and self-assessment of a researcher's competencies.
U-MARC4OS will be beneficial for the self-assessment of research competencies by PhD candidates, doctoral students, and academic staff. The practical self-assessment activity requires approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Upon completing the U-MARC4OS self-assessment, you will receive:
- A report outlining your research competency profile;
- Personalised recommendations for professional development;
- A personalised set of flashcards, dynamically generated based on your individual self-assessment results.
The portal also contains a testing questionnaire and a standard set of flashcards on research competencies.
5 Stages of the Research Lifecycle:
Competencies by Research Lifecycle Stages
To ensure objectivity within the Open Science ecosystem, U-MARC4OS employs a cyclical competency matrix structured around the stages of the research lifecycle. The research lifecycle in the context of Open Science is a methodologically systematised, logically structured, transparent, comprehensive, iterative, and repetitive process comprising the functions of ideation, conceptualisation, planning, resource management, implementation, analysis, dissemination, communication, and the uptake and impact of results.
This approach allows not merely for the static profiling of a researcher's competencies, but for the planning and monitoring of their developmental dynamics within the professional Open Science environment.
Assessment
U-MARC4OS Self-Assessment Questionnaire
Instructions: Please read carefully and rate your level of readiness for each of the 143 research activities using the five-point scale:
This assessment takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Completion Progress:
0 / 143
Database Connection Status: Waiting...
Results and Recommendations
How to use these results?
Your personalised results are ready. Here is how you can use them for self-improvement:
- General Analysis: Review your research competency assessment results (on a 4-point scale): overall competency level across 143 indicators; competency levels across the 5 stages of the research lifecycle.
- Detailed Breakdown: In the 'Researcher Competency Profile' block, you can see your level for each category.
- Priority Areas: The recommendations block presents integrated development directions based on your results, along with specific action algorithms.
- Training: Click the View Personalised Flashcards button to work on your growth areas.
Overall Average Level (0-4):
--
Summary by 5 Stages:
Competency Profile:
Analysis results will be displayed here after completing the assessment.
Test
Completing these test tasks helps to independently assess and identify gaps in Open Science knowledge. The test contains closed-ended questions with multiple-choice answers. Please read the test task carefully, analyse all options, and mark the one correct answer in the corresponding field.
Flashcards
Flashcards are an effective learning and memorisation method based on two-sided cards. One side displays a term or abbreviation, and the other provides its definition or explanation. Working with flashcards aids in the assimilation of key concepts, information structuring, and the systematisation of knowledge regarding Open Science.
Key terms are displayed here.
Feedback
In development
This section is under development and will be available soon.