Library FAQs

When publications are claimed in Symplectic, they don't always import the acceptance date. This is because it may not be available from the publisher site. This information is important to aid REF compliance. If you're not sure what the acceptance date is please contact the corresponding author as they receive an email from the publisher to confirm.

Watch one of our quick videos to find out how to add acceptance dates. Alternatively, if you prefer follow the step-by-step instructions below.

• YouTube video about adding acceptance dates in Symplectic (with captions)
• YouTube video about adding acceptance dates in Symplectic (without captions)

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Log in to Symplectic. On campus you should be connected without needing to log on but from off campus you need to input your LJMU username followed by @ljmu.ac.uk and your LJMU password. If you have any problems logging in go to our help section at the end of this guide.
• From the Homepage select the arrow on the right-hand side. Repeat this until you reach the missing acceptance dates page
• This shows you how many of your publications are missing acceptance dates
• Select View
• Select the publication title
• Scroll down until you get to the bottom of the information under Data Sources
• Select +Add manual record
• Complete all mandatory information marked with an asterisk
• Select Save
• It is best practice to add the acceptance date before you deposit any publications to the repository. This is because the information will pull through to the repository
• If you do it afterwards, the information will remain in Symplectic, and not pull through to the repository
• If you do add the acceptance date afterwards,  we can update this for you
• Please email openaccess@ljmu.ac.uk and provide the title of the publication

Help and Support

• For help accessing Symplectic, email the Research and Innovation Services team.
• For LJMU Research Online and LJMU Research Data Repository enquiries, email the Open Access team.