Each year, Southern Cross University (SCU) is required to submit publications data to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) as part of the Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC).This HERDC publications data contributes towards assessing SCU's overall research performance, which in turn drives the allocation of Research Block Grants (RBG). The general purpose of RBGs is to reward the success of SCU in obtaining grants, and to support SCU in further research. Publications data is also an important part of SCU's Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) submission to the Australian Research Council (ARC).

The DoR collects publication data from SCU authors for both DIISR-eligible publications and non-DIISR publications and enters this data to the University's Research Management System (IRMA). This enables the University to build a comprehensive database of all SCU research outputs.

The collection of accurate publications data is important for the following reasons:

• It allows SCU to understand the breadth of research activities undertaken and the fields in which the research activity occurs
• DIISR uses it to help calculate central performance-based funding allocations
• The University uses it to allocate research-related funds within SCU
• It helps the University to build reliable staff research and scholarship profiles
• It enables IRMA publication reports to be produced for staff submitting Academic Portfolios
• It enables SCU staff to make research outputs discoverable through the ePublications@SCU open access repository

Further information about the different publication categories is available in the Research Publications Submission Guidelines

DIISR publications include:

• A1 - Books - Authored Research
• B1 - Book Chapters in Research Books
• C1 - Journal Articles - Refereed
• E1 - Conference Publications - Refereed

Non-DIISR publications include:

• Other Books, Book Chapters, Journal Articles and Conference Publications
• Creative Works
• Reference Works
• Reports and Working Papers
• Computer Software
• Patents and Plant Breeder Rights

• Review the document Research Publications Submission Guidelines
• The first-named SCU author is responsible for submission.
• Select the most appropriate Submission Form to use and complete all publication details. Confirm eligibility of publication by ticking relevant boxes and provide all necessary verification materials stipulated on the form.
• Select the first 'Submit' button and email the completed form and required attachments to your Research Director/Head of School. Copy email to research.publications@scu.edu.au
• The Research Director/Head of School certifies the submission and selects a second 'Submit' button which sends an approval email to the DoR.
• Staff in the DoR can then process the submission and enter publication details into the Research Management System (IRMA).

SCU authors are encouraged to submit their publications to the DoR as soon as they have been published.

Submissions for 2011 publications need to be received by the DoR by 30 April 2012 in order for authors to be eligible for the Publication Bonus scheme and for publications to be included in SCU's annual Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) return for the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR).

The same submission forms can be used for both DIISR and non-DIISR publications. All records submitted must be certified for audit purposes by the first author's Head of School or Research Director. Incomplete records will be returned to the submitting author.

To be eligible to receive the Publication Bonus for 2011 publications, completed submission forms and relevant verification documents for each publication must be received by the Division of Research by 30 April 2012. Each publication must also meet the eligibility requirements determined by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR). Eligible publications include:

• A1 - Books - Authored Research
• B1 - Book Chapters in Research Books
• C1 - Journal Articles - Refereed
• E1 - Conference Publications - Refereed

Fields of Research (FoR) Codes

FoR codes are used to identify the general topic area in which the research was carried out. At least one FoR code at the 4 digit level needs to be recorded on publication submission forms. Up to 3 FoR codes can be selected and each code is assigned a percentage depending on relevance. All FoRs percentage apportionments must add up to 100%.

Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) Codes

SEO codes are used to identify the principal area where the research leading to the publication will benefit the nation. At least one SEO code at the 4 digit level needs to be recorded on publication submission forms. Up to 3 SEO codes can be selected and each code is assigned a percentage depending on relevance. All SEO percentage apportionments must add up to 100%.

All publications submitted to the DoR via Publication Submission Forms will be provided automatically to ePublications@SCU (unless authors request otherwise).

ePublications@SCU is an electronic open access repository administered by SCU Library. Its goal is to capture and preserve the intellectual output of SCU authors and researchers, and to increase visibility and impact through open access to researchers around the world.

For more information please see About ePublications@SCU or email epubs@scu.edu.au.

Separate submission forms are used for each of the different publication categories.

All submission forms are located at Publications Submissions Forms.

The same online submission forms can be used for both DIISR and non-DIISR publications (i.e. those that do not meet the specifications for HERDC categories). However, non-DIISR publications do not require authors to provide any additional verification materials.

Publications that will be included in SCU's annual HERDC submission to DIISR need to also have certain verification materials provided. These are retained by the DoR in case of audit.

The exact verification materials required depends on the publication category. Further details are available in the verification section of each Publication Submission Form

Verification materials generally include:

• a full copy of the research output
• evidence of bibliographic details (e.g. ISBN/ISSN, contents pages, year of publication, etc.)
• evidence of peer-review (for journals, a useful source is the Ulrichsweb database)
• evidence of SCU-affiliation of author

Non-DIISR publications do not require authors to provide any additional verification materials.

Email all enquiries to research.publications@scu.edu.au