Q. How do I add a manual record in Symplectic?

Watch one of our quick videos to find out how. Here you will discover how to populate the relevant screens in Symplectic to create a manual record for a dataset.  However, the same approach is taken for all publication types. Alternatively, if you prefer follow step-by-step instructions below.  These also include tips on journal articles, when and how to deposit to LJMU Research Online. Also when to consider depositing datasets to the LJMU Research Data Repository Help and support is available at the end. 

Video demonstration with captions

Video demonstration 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 your Homepage scroll down to the Publications panel.      
   
• Select +Add New.  
   
• Then select the relevant publication type. These instructions are for inputting a record for a dataset, but the same approach is taken for all publication types. If your publication is a journal article which was accepted for publication after 1^st April 2016 and published after 1^st January 2021 you may need to also deposit it after adding the manual record – please see our publications deposit guidance document and our FAQ on what and when to deposit.  
   
• Select Skip to ignore this section as you are creating a new record.  
   
• Any mandatory data that must be completed has an Asterisk (*) on the left-hand side. The fields covered in this guide are for datasets; different publication types will have different mandatory fields.    
   
• Select your relationship with the publication.  
   
• Input the title.  
     
• Check the Author field is displaying your name.  
   
• It is important to add any additional authors. This is to avoid duplicate records in Symplectic and means the article will also appear on any of your LJMU co-authors records. To do this enter their last name and first initial. Then select +Add.  
   
• If your co-authors are from LJMU the system should prompt you that it has found them in the system. Ensure you select Yes if this is the correct person.
       
• If this is not the correct person or your co-author is not from LJMU but get this prompt just select No. You may occasionally be presented with a drop-down list if there is more than one author with the surname you input, ensure you select the correct person.  
   
• The next mandatory field is 'Abstract'. You can copy and paste into this field. Abstract Keywords are optional.  
       
• Input a keyword for your research in the Fields of Research (2020) field. A popup will appear for you to select the most appropriate label.  The label you select will move up to the Fields of Research field. You can add more than one.
   
• The start and end date of your Collection period is mandatory for adding a dataset. Use the dropdowns to select the correct date.    
   
• The next mandatory field is Data Collection Method. For details on what to input, hover on the question mark.  
   
• Complete the Language (of the data) field.  
   
• Enter a copyright holder and select +Add. You can add more than one by selecting +Add again.  
   
• It is good practice to complete the DOI and publisher information. This is because the information is linked to your staff profile. If you do not complete the Publisher URL the record will appear on your staff profile but will not display a direct link to the data.  
   
• Some publication types do not have a DOI which is often the case for shows and exhibitions. Instead add an external link to the publisher site in the Publisher URL field.  
   

• Select SAVE. The record will appear on your LJMU Staff Profile within 24 hours. You do not need to deposit all manual records into the repository. For example, if a dataset is published and already openly available in Figshare this does not need to be deposited to the LJMU Research Data Repository.

If you have datasets you would like to deposit to the LJMU Research Data Repository please see the LJMU Research Data Repository section of our Repositories web pages and the Data Deposit Guide.

A Publication Deposit Guide is available if there is a requirement to deposit your publication to LJMU Research Online via Symplectic. If you are unsure find out What and when should I deposit to LJMU's institutional repository LJMU Research Online?

Help and Support  

Support for Symplectic, LJMU Research Online and LJMU Data Repository  

For help accessing Symplectic - SymplecticHelp@ljmu.ac.uk   

LJMU Research Online and LJMU Research Data Repository Enquiries - researchonline@ljmu.ac.uk