Exploring Open Metadata through a Cross-Platform Analysis

Some, but not all, institutions have access to Research Information Management Systems (RIMS). We are curious about the potential use of OpenAlex to either fill the gaps left by RIMS datasets, or to pull datasets in the absence of an institutional RIMS.

In this presentation we will detail the lifecycle of working with OpenAlex data as an external data source that accompanies proprietary/paid data sources, or acts as the primary data source for institutional research analysis. We will describe a method for engaging with the OpenAlex API, explore the data accuracy and comprehensiveness of name and affiliation data specifically, and finish with a discussion about potential use cases and/or the need for further research.