Symplectic
Symplectic Elements is a central University tool that helps to record bibliographic and other information about research outputs. Symplectic provides a simple web-based interface for adding and reviewing research information held in personal user accounts, which are stored in a secure central server.
Consistent information regarding research outputs (Journal Articles, Book Chapters, Patents, etc.) is required for periodic research assessments by the higher education funding councils. Symplectic is specifically designed to improve University record keeping for such purposes and is the University’s principal tool for preparing research outputs data for the Research Excellence Framework (REF2014).
Symplectic can be used to deposit full text outputs to the University of Oxford Research Archive (ORA) and, with suitable configuration, can feed data to other University systems such as departmental websites. Further information on the Symplectic-ORA deposit tool is available from the Bodleian Libraries here.
Accessing your account
Once registered with the system, you can access your account at http://biblio01.bsp.ox.ac.uk using your Webauth (‘Oxford Single Sign-on’) username and password. Department of Physics users should click ‘login via a different authenticating authority’ and use their Physics Network credentials.
Please direct enquiries to your departmental Symplectic contact Department Contacts List 
(22kb) (oxonly) or to the central Symplectic helpdesk at symplectic@admin.ox.ac.uk.
For departmental administrators (including REF coordinators) we now have a SharePoint site dedicated to Symplectic https://sharepoint.nexus.ox.ac.uk/sites/AAD/pras/symplectic_general/default.aspx (registered users only).
Principally, this is a place to share information of assistance to department/faculty staff with operational/admin input to the tool. You will find information about system upgrades, user guides and more technical guides about the use of APIs.
Furthermore, it will be used for discussions (best practice, tips and workarounds, non urgent issues, future requirements, etc.) that should involve other Symplectic users very much like a forum.
Documentation
The Symplectic Elements software is developed and licensed by Symplectic Ltd, a London-based company. Symplectic Ltd was established by a theoretical physicist for Imperial College, who developed the software to enable Imperial's submission to RAE2008 to be more efficient and of minimal burden upon individual academics. Proprietary documentation provided by Symplectic Ltd is available from the right-hand section of this page.
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