Update Farhad Farzin ROR Record

Hey guys! Ever found yourself needing to tweak some details in your ROR record? Maybe your organization's name has changed, or a website link is outdated. We get it, things change! This guide is all about how you can modify information in an existing ROR record, specifically focusing on an example like Farhad Farzin. We'll walk through the process, cover what parts of the record you can update, and give you the lowdown on why keeping your ROR record accurate is super important for research discoverability and global recognition.

Why Keeping Your ROR Record Fresh Matters

So, why bother updating your ROR record, you ask? Think of your ROR ID as your organization's digital passport in the research world. When this information is spot-on, it makes it way easier for researchers, funders, and institutions to find you, connect with you, and understand your work. Accurate records mean better citation tracking, smoother collaboration, and ultimately, increased visibility for your research output. It's all about ensuring your organization is represented correctly and can participate fully in the global research ecosystem. We’re talking about making sure your contributions are seen and credited properly, guys!

Modifying an Existing ROR Record: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of how you can modify an existing ROR record. The process typically involves submitting a request to the ROR team detailing the changes you need. While direct editing by users isn't usually an option (to maintain data integrity, you know?), they have a streamlined process for updates.

Key Information Needed for Your Modification Request

When you reach out to update a record, like the one for Farhad Farzin (using https://api.ror.org/organizations as a placeholder for the actual ROR ID link), you'll need to provide some crucial details.

• Organization Name: Clearly state the current name of the organization you're referencing.
• ROR ID: This is super important! You need to provide the specific ROR ID of the record you want to modify. This is how they locate the exact entry in their vast database. For our example, we're referencing the concept of updating a record associated with "Farhad Farzin," and the ROR API link you provided (https://api.ror.org/organizations) would typically be replaced with a specific ROR ID URL like https://ror.org/01exampleid.
• Part of the Record to Change: Be specific here. Are you looking to update the primary name, add or remove aliases/name versions, change the organization website, update other IDs (like ISNI or GRID), modify the organization type, or is it something else entirely? The more precise you are, the faster the ROR team can process your request. For instance, if the website changed from old-site.com to sumb.com, you’d state that clearly.

Describing the Change: Be Crystal Clear!

When describing the change, give as much detail as possible. For example, if you're changing the organization's website, provide the old URL and the new URL. If a name has changed, specify the previous name and the new name. For instance, if the organization was previously known as "Farhad Farzin Research Institute" and is now simply "Farhad Farzin," you'd state that. Accuracy here prevents confusion and speeds up the update. It's like giving directions – the clearer you are, the faster and more accurate the arrival!

What Parts of a ROR Record Can Be Modified?

The ROR registry is pretty comprehensive, and they allow updates to several key components of a record. Here's a breakdown of what you can typically request changes for:

• Primary Name: This is the main, official name of the organization. If this has officially changed, you can request an update.
• Other Names / Name Versions: Organizations often go by different names, abbreviations, or older versions of their name. You can request to add, remove, or update these variations to ensure your organization is discoverable under multiple search terms.
• Organization Website: Websites change! If your primary organizational website URL has been updated, this is a crucial piece of information to keep current.
• Other IDs: ROR integrates with other identifier systems. If your organization has acquired new IDs (like a new GRID ID or Crossref Funder ID), or if existing ones are incorrect, you can request updates. This helps link your ROR record to other authoritative databases.
• Organization Type: The classification of your organization (e.g., Research, Government, Higher Education) might change over time or might have been initially misclassified. You can request to correct or update this.
• Related Organizations: Sometimes organizational structures change, leading to new affiliations or disaffiliations. You can request updates to the 'related organizations' field to reflect these changes.
• Domains: The domains associated with your organization are important for linking publications and activities. Updates can be requested here too.

Essentially, the goal is to keep the record as a true and accurate reflection of the organization's current identity and affiliations. The ROR team works diligently to ensure the data is as up-to-date as possible based on the information provided by the community and their own verification processes.

Merge, Split, or Deprecate Records: When Organizations Evolve

Sometimes, changes within the institutional landscape are more complex than a simple name change. Organizations might merge, split into new entities, or cease to exist. ROR handles these scenarios too, though they usually require more detailed justification.

Merging Records

If two or more organizations have merged into a single new entity, you might need to request that the old records be merged into a new or existing one. This usually involves providing ROR IDs for all affected organizations and clearly stating how they should be consolidated. The goal is to ensure that the legacy of the merged entities is properly attributed to the new, combined organization.

Splitting Records

Conversely, if a large organization has split into multiple distinct entities, you might need to request that a single record be split. This is less common but important for accurately representing the new, independent organizations. You'd need to clearly define the new entities and provide details on which parts of the original record should be associated with each new ROR ID.

Deprecating Records

If an organization has ceased to exist entirely (perhaps it was dissolved or fully absorbed without a clear successor entity in the registry), you might request that its ROR record be deprecated. This flags the record as no longer active, preventing new affiliations from being linked to it while preserving its historical record.

When requesting merges, splits, or deprecations, the ROR team will likely ask for extensive supporting documentation. This could include official announcements, legal documents, or links to news articles that confirm the organizational changes. They need to be sure that these significant structural changes are legitimate before altering the registry. It's a careful process designed to maintain the integrity of the global research infrastructure.

Adding a New ROR Record: When Your Organization is New!

Perhaps you're not modifying an existing record but need to add a new one because your organization is newly established or hasn't been registered yet. The process for adding a new record is similar in that it requires a submission to ROR, but the focus is on providing foundational information.

Essential Details for a New Record Request:

• Name of Organization: The official, primary name.
• Website: The official website URL.
• Domains: Associated email domains (e.g., @yourorg.edu).
• Link to Publications: If there's a central repository or page showcasing publications.
• Organization Type: Its primary classification (e.g., Higher Education, Research Institute, Government).
• Wikipedia Page / Wikidata ID / ISNI ID / GRID ID / Crossref Funder ID: Any existing identifiers that can help ROR verify and link the record.
• Aliases/Labels/Acronyms: Any other names the organization is known by.
• Related Organizations: Affiliations with parent or subsidiary bodies.
• Location: City, Country, and Geonames ID if available.
• Year Established: When the organization was founded.

Why Will a ROR ID Be Used?

When submitting a request to add a new record, you'll also need to explain how the ROR ID will be used. This helps ROR understand the context and importance of the registration. Common uses include:

• Affiliation in Publications: Ensuring authors correctly associate their work with the institution.
• Grant Reporting: Fulfilling funder requirements for institutional identification.
• Inter-institutional Collaboration: Facilitating clear communication and data sharing between organizations.
• Bibliometric Analysis: Improving the accuracy of research impact assessments.

Adding a new record ensures that your organization is properly represented in the global research landscape from the outset, making it easier for others to find, cite, and collaborate with you. It’s all about building that strong foundation!

Conclusion: Keeping Your Digital Identity Up-to-Date

So there you have it, guys! Keeping your ROR record accurate, whether you're modifying existing information, merging records, or adding a new one, is absolutely crucial in today's interconnected research world. A well-maintained ROR profile enhances discoverability, streamlines collaborations, and ensures your organization's contributions are correctly attributed. If you need to make changes, remember to be clear, provide all necessary details, and leverage the ROR team's support. Stay updated, stay visible, and keep that research shining!