National Online System of Access to Information on China (NOSAIC)
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A key project of The Centre is to develop a National Online System of Access to Information on China (NOSAIC). The aim of this project is to develop a national integrated system of information on China. The system incorporates the experiences and requirements for information and skills of our New Zealand stakeholders and provides access to China related publications, surveys, databases and information that exist in individual industries, business associations, government departments, and universities in New Zealand. The project is led by Jason Young, a research associate of the Centre.
Introduction
New Zealand scholars have been researching China and China related issues for many years but in recent years especially there has been a proliferation of New Zealand writing on China. There is also a wide variety of primary sources on China located in New Zealand. However, to date there remains no centralised database for searching for this information and researchers, students, civil servants, business people and the general public are forced to consult a variety of search engines, library catalogues and journals in order to track down China related information published in New Zealand.
Goals of the Project
The goal of this central access system is to develop a national integrated system of information on China. The system incorporates the experiences and requirements for information and skills of our New Zealand stakeholders and provides access to China
related publications, surveys, databases and information that exist in individual industries, business associations, government departments, and New Zealand Member universities.
It is not the goal of this project to physically collect this information or to duplicate resources by trying to create a new library. Rather, the project seeks to create an online database of records of material created in New Zealand on the subject of China. These records will then direct people to the site/institution where they can gain physical access
to the material.
By providing a central integrated access system the project aims to survey literature created in New Zealand on China. At present it is hard to estimate the exact number of records preliminary research will uncover. This review aims to provide the first steps in
an ongoing collaboration of New Zealand China scholars to create a record of their work.
The database aims to be a useful resource for teachers and students of elementary and tertiary level as well as encouraging people in New Zealand to write more on the subject of China, in particular New Zealand China relations. It aims to be a high quality easy to use site that adds to the image of the Centre and draws people to the site.
Strategy
The strategy for creating NOSAIC involves two major steps as well as ongoing maintenance. The first step is to design a database system, including templates, a search engine and website presence that has easy access and usability and that can be easily updated. The second step is to find and create records for all of the existing information on China in New Zealand. Each step is discussed in more detail below.
Designing the database
The first stage of the proposed project involves creating the database system. This system requires the completion of the following tasks:
The creation of record templates: standard record templates are required to give uniformity to the website and search engine. 4 templates will be created, books, journal articles, theses and documents. The templates will include the following categories, author/institution, title, publication date, publisher, keywords, brief summary/abstract (if available), physical locations & links. Neither the project coordinator nor the Centre's administrator will create new keywords. Rather, keywords will be populated from existing records.
The creation of a searchable database website: an online database needs to be set up that is searchable (based on keyword searches).
Define the scope of inquiry: it is unrealistic to try to get every source created in New Zealand that is vaguely related to China. Therefore, it is necessary to define the scope of inquiry by deciding what defines a records' inclusion in the online database. An important part of defining the scope of inquiry will be assessing the general areas of interest.
Finding and creating the records
After the first stage of the project is completed (designing the database) the second stage can begin. The second stage requires a review of existing academic articles created in New Zealand relating to China. This will involve collecting records from the following areas:
National Library Database (includes: NZ member university libraries & Public libraries)
Museums and the national archives
Government departments, e.g., MFAT
Business associations (e.g., NZCTA)
Community associations (e.g., NZCFS; NZCA)
Sources will be in the following formats:
Books - academic non-fiction
Journal articles published in NZ (or those published overseas by prominent NZ scholars)
Theses (Masters and Doctorate)
Electronic articles (E.g., NGOs)
Government reports and agreements (e.g., NZ-China FTA).
Tasks
A complete list of institutions, associations and libraries.
After a precursory look at these institutions' material a plan of action for creating records of the material will be required. This will involve discussing the collections of the materials with the custodians of the material and being granted access to view existing records or the material. For example, permission to view the records of MFAT's North Asian Department will be required.
The creation of a list of 'New Zealand China scholars'. Email will be sent to each scholar asking them to contribute their work to the database.
Extensive database search. The bulk of the research will be done searching the National Library database (books) and relevant journal databases. Some research will be required at business associations, government departments and China associations.
Creation of the records with links to multiple locations of the records. This stage of the project can for most be done online using existing databases, especially the National Library Database which has a record of all books held in New Zealand libraries. However, some travel will be required to university libraries, university departments, individual industries, associations and museums in the 3 main centres (Dunedin, Christchurch & Auckland) as well as these institutions in Wellington.
Posting the records and testing the search engine. Maintaining and updating the database Once the database is operational there will be ongoing maintenance work required to ensure it remains up to date and useable. This will include:
Being aware of and entering new records as they are published
Checking links and responding to users comments
Aiding students and researchers' use of the database
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Ensuring universities and government departments are aware of the database.
This work, whilst ongoing, will not be overly time consuming and will be the work of the administrator of the China Research Centre. It will also require collaboration from those scholars involved in the Centre with knowledge and access to new material published in New Zealand on China. Furthermore, it is hoped that after the database is established and people start to use it as a first point of reference for access to information on China in New Zealand that writers and holders of resources will start to notify and request a record of their work in the database.
Issues
The following issues will need to be resolved in the first instance to ensure the success of the project:
The scope of inquiry needs to be defined in a manner that does not unduly limit the scope of the project nor endanger the success of the project by being overwhelming. This will involve some consultation with the Director of the Centre and the relevant stakeholders in New Zealand.
The database system and website access needs to be designed. Issues here relate to whether it should be created as part of an existing database or catalogue (e.g., Victoria University of Wellington Library) or whether a separate database as part of the China Research Centre website can be established. The second choice is at this early stage preferable. The logistics of creating this database and website need to be approached first and will require professional IT expertise.
Whilst every attempt will be made to find all relevant resources that fall within the project's scope of inquiry and it is the intention of the project to do a detailed survey of information on China in New Zealand, it is likely that some records will be missed. For this reason the website will need to have a statement asking for record suggestions to be sent to ChinaCentre@vuw.ac.nz for possible inclusion in the database. The ongoing success of the database will require scholars actively maintaining the database.