Contribution FAQs

What are the types of resources, sources, and literature that should be used to contribute to research?

The following types of sources and literature are recommended for the members to make citations for any Open Research.

• Verified sources i.e. critically acclaimed sources such as Independent Journalistic outlets, Independent public representational bodies such as organs of governance, literature from inter-governmental bodies or economic unions.

• Peer-reviewed Journals and publications from both academic and non-academic institutions.

• A blog article, press release or a circular published by a publicly traded and listed company, inter-government agencies, government agencies, or local bodies.

• A mix of resources and literature, carrying diverse and multi-polar views should be used to impart a non-biased or neutral characteristic to the research.

A source such as an Independent journalistic outlet or, a public representation body may have a set of editorial principles and views. These are mostly identified in Trust and Transparency Reports, issued by the source. Special care should be taken in citing the veracity of claims made in the literature from any one source. E.g. verifying whether similar claims have been made in another source, which hosts opposing editorial principles and views.

How should I check for plagiarism?

Firstly, always cite your source accurately to prevent plagiarism, also include a bibliography at the end of your work with all sources listed in it. There are different citation styles, choose any one and adhere to it throughout the research draft. Members may use different open-source tools to check plagiarism.

Run your research writing through a peer-reviewed community discussion in appropriate forums of Open Research.

My research contribution includes data analysis. What principles should I follow in the analytics of data and information sets?

Use open-source analytics tools relevant to the research data sets in your research contributions.

What type of research methodologies are to be used?

The following types of research methodologies are recommended by the Foundation:

Generally, the Foundation recommends using methodologies that fit the research topic and objectives.

Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies are preferred.

How do the research publications take place?

Post quality assurance via the Foundation, the outcome and conclusions of the research are published on the Foundation's Open Research portal COUNCILPOST journal, with an appropriate open source license governing the publication of the specific "CFP" on the portal.

Further, the members can also apply in conference proceedings or International Journals "Call for Proposals".

Recommended International Journals for a specific research problem statement are generally listed by the mentors posting the Call for Open Research.

Read more on Release Guidelines.​

How should the research surveys take place, if surveys are conducted?

• The foundation maintains an ecosystem of industry stakeholders, community members, scientists, and researchers and invites more participants.

• Research surveys can be conducted online either on the Foundation's communication channels internet forums, or social media.

• Surveys can be designed using foundation-licensed technology tools, and web forms.

• Research surveys should be embedded with a link to the Foundation's privacy policy and data processing policies. You can read them here.

• A clear identification should be made that the Research survey is being conducted by or in affiliation with the CouncilPost.