Research Acronyms: food for thought

Alphabet soup is on the RLC menu.
The challenge to learn research terminology and develop a vocabulary includes becoming familiar with a large, varied assortment of acronyms.
Recipes for understanding would not be amiss here.

Types of research have traditionally been PAR (Pure Applied Research) and PBR (Pure Basic Research). A side order of “social responsiveness” has served up UIBR or Use Inspired Basic Research which advances the concepts of both basic and applied knowledge for the benefit of humankind.

CoPs (Communities of Practice) and CoS (Community of Scholars) allow researchers to move beyond physical boundaries by promoting collaboration, communication and networking. They make it relatively easy now to establish an online identity which expands the concept of the “invisible college” into the virtual realm. VREs (Virtual Research Environments) provide fertile environments for research endeavour by dishing up a selection of tasty resources. These resources assist researchers to manage the tasks of carrying out research successfully. OA (Open Access) literature plays an important role in making free digital scholarly information readily available in these virtual spaces.

Mmm, so much to digest.