Tamil Studies encompass not only the realms of Tamil literature and grammar but also integrate various disciplines such as linguistics, ethnography, archaeology, drama, history, fine arts, communication, journalism, ecology, feminism, religion, and philosophy. In higher education, countless professors and doctoral candidates present a multitude of research papers in seminars focused on Tamil Studies each year. Additionally, there is a growing trend of publishing extensive research articles in academic journals. Scholars from Tamil Nadu, as well as from countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and Mauritius, contribute research papers predominantly written in Tamil.
The research articles disseminated through print and electronic media in academic journals inform the latest trends in Tamil Studies education. With the rise of e-dissertations, there is a pronounced focus on monitoring and ensuring the quality of research papers in the digital domain. Given the vast flow of information, it is crucial to employ modern technology-based systems to identify Tamil research articles effectively and to align the studies and published research in Tamil with international standards.
Research Codes
For a researcher, staying informed about previous papers and prevailing trends in their specific area of study is vital. Although Tamil Studies boast a rich tradition and history, documentation of research papers is still in the early stages, leading to a lack of research indices—such as Citation Metrics (H-index, i-10 index, SNIP)—that are commonly awarded in other academic fields.
Research articles are often uploaded to scientific databases like WorldCat, PlumX, PKP Index, and Crossref, where they receive an international article number (DOI). In disciplines such as science, social sciences, and arts, the quality of research papers and the distinctiveness of the researchers are assessed based on these published works. Organizations like SCOPUS and Web of Science (WoS) continue to evaluate research quality.
What is Required?
To enhance the visibility and impact of Tamil research articles, it is essential to develop and refine Citation Metrics specifically for Tamil studies. Researchers, educators, and authors should familiarize themselves with platforms like Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and obtain a Researcher ID to effectively manage and promote their work.
A Google Scholar account is a free resource that researchers can access. To create and manage this account, a Gmail address is required, which can be set up easily at www.scholar.google.com. Published research papers can then be uploaded, enabling authors to track various research metrics available through Google’s search engine.
Academic professors and researchers can also establish their ResearchGate accounts, typically using identification provided by their institutions, allowing them to upload both published and newly written articles. This platform provides insights into how many times their work has been viewed and downloaded, along with citation metrics (RG Factor).
The ORCID Researcher ID, also known as Researcher ID and referred to locally as ‘Kalvi Aadhaar’, is essential for all researchers. This unique identifier can be created at no cost and must be adopted by Tamil researchers and professors to enhance their academic identity.
International Systems
Any research paper published in Tamil should include essential components such as an abstract, keywords, and a bibliography. If the Tamil research paper is accompanied by an English translation of the abstract, keywords, and bibliography, it becomes eligible for inclusion in Google Scholar and ResearchGate accounts. Additionally, bibliographic references should adhere to established formats such as MLA, APA, or CICA styles.