A Self-Directed Learning Tool to Assist with Complying with the NIH Public Access Policy

Abstract

On April 7, 2008, the National Institutes of Health instituted the NIH Public Access Policy. In order to apply for and to continue receiving NIH funding, a researcher needs to comply with the Policy. There are many resources that address compliance with the National Institutes of Health Public Access Policy but most are text heavy. Our goal was to create a tool that would simplify this complex process. We broke down the myriad tasks involved and represented them in an interactive flow chart. By accomplishing each individual task, the NIH Grantee can achieve compliance with the Policy. The interactive tool was created in two iterations. The first focused on compliance based on the policy's four available manuscript submission methods. Microsoft Visio was used to develop the simplified PDF process map in which interactive links provided the user with additional information by linking to external documentation. Due to its success, a second, more detailed process map was later developed by the team using the Lucidchart software. It covers the entire submission process and how to track compliance status following submission. Each box on the process map links to a page within the PDF with additional compliance information, and linear navigation is available at the bottom of each page to walk users step-by-step through the process.