The Research Section is an integral component within the Institute of the Public Services (IPS) which is targeted to bolster investment in research and development on a national level whilst also further a culture across the Public Service to favour quality, evidence-based and applied research as part of the policy process, strategic decision-making and in its operations.

The development of the Research Section within the IPS was brought about by three main requirements:

• The first is to provide an academic support framework for students carrying out research in matters and areas of
interest and within the Public Service.
• The second is to support the internal operations and activities of the Institute by providing evidence-based research targeted at addressing the development of IPS as a centre of excellence in the training and development of Public Officers.
• Finally, is mainly to address the needs, identify trends and examine opportunities and threats that may affect the Malta Public Service in the future. This is to be done in a proactive manner with Ministries, Departments, Entities and Education Institutions.

Research at IPS is viewed from a holistic approach and covers a wide spectrum of administrative, operational and policy areas which may affect both across the entire Malta Public Service but also those topics which may be more specific to individual grades or Ministries. The ultimate aim is to contribute to the further improvement of the Malta Public Service and its ambition to aspire to excellence.

IPS aims at broadening its research resources by not only utilising its own sponsored students and other students showing interest to conduct research about areas in which the Malta Public Service has great interest in, but also in the development of in-house dedicated researchers and through the motivation of its tutors and trainers to contribute to IPS research projects and publications. 

To enhance further the visibility of research, the IPS launched an official IPS Library​ in 2020 in order to promote further the importance of research which is accessible to public officers to conduct further studies. The library is equipped with the latest articles, journals and other scholarly works.  Complementing the library, public officers may also book in advance a study space in the library where they can carry out their research and studies.

Two years later, in a continued effort to enhance the IPS Library’s resources, IPS partnered with ProQuest to expand its offerings through a comprehensive digital ecosystem. This collaboration enables public officers to access a vast collection of online journals and eBooks via ProQuest’s extensive database. By integrating digital resources with on-site training and physical library materials, this initiative fosters a holistic learning experience, ensuring that public officers have seamless access to both traditional and digital knowledge resources.

In 2021, the Research Section has launched the first of a series of planned publications​: the IPS Journal.  The IPS Journal is a bi-annual research anthology which brings together research contributions from academics and students sponsored under various schemes and programmes.

For more information you can contact the Research Section on [email protected] . 

The Institute for the Public Services launched its research library in 2020 to offer a point of reference for Public Officers wishing to undertake research and further their studies on subjects related to the work of the Public Service.

The IPS Research Library is housed in Block A of the IPS campus and is located at San Salvatore Bastion, Triq Sa Maison, Floriana.

The IPS Research Library is a specialised reference library which offers:

1. Academic and reference work on topics relevant to the role, function and scope of the Public Administration and its operations, administration, management and development. 
2. A Melitensia section of titles published in Malta relating to public policy, administrative development of administrative and political government, biographies and other related works. 
3. Official publications issued by the Public Service and other institutions in Malta. 
4. Select international institutional reports and academic publications. 
5. A reserved section of historic reports and documents compiled by or for the Public Service. 
6. Dissertations and theses of students sponsored under various schemes administered by IPS. 

IPS regularly updates the material and books with the most relevant publications.

The IPS Research Library is a reference library. No books or library material may be taken out of the premises of the IPS Research Library.

Public officials who would like to check what books are available can do so by accessing this link.  For more guidance on how to use the IPS Research Library database one can click on this link.

​When choosing a book from the database, users can click on the title of the book and find where the book is located in the IPS Research Library premises by checking the code in the book's tag row.

OPENING HOURS

The IPS Library is open from Monday to Friday (except for Public Holidays),

between 8.00 am to 4.00 pm (Winter hours) and between 8.00 am to 1.00 pm (Summer hours).

Between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm, no booking is required to make use of the IPS library services. 

In the remaining hours, Public Officers and students wishing to make use of the IPS library services are asked to book by clicking on this link.

STUDY DESKS

IPS has available a number of study spaces located in the IPS Library for use by Public Officers who wish 
to carry out their research and studies remotely.

Public officials wishing to make use of these study desks must submit their request using the booking form, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.

EBOOKS AND ONLINE JOURNALS ... JUST FOR YOU!

IPS is also happy to present a phenomenal opportunity exclusively for public officers! The IPS offers a wide variety of eBooks and online journals via ProQuest free of charge. With IPS sponsoring user accounts, public officers gain unlimited access to this powerful tool. If you are a public officer, this is your chance to excel like never before and significantly impact your Ministry. Don't miss out – elevate your research, knowledge, and professional prowess with this extraordinary offer!

ProQuest is very easy to use, but one can also find a guidebook on how to use the ProQuest Database by accessing this link. 

BINDING STANDARDS

All users of the IPS Research Library are bound by the Binding Standards governing the IPS Research Library issued by IPS and which can be accessed from this link.

The Binding Standards of ProQuest, detailing the terms and conditions can be accessed from this link.​ 

QUERIES

Public Officers and students may address any queries regarding these Binding Standards or any services offered by the IPS Research Library by sending an email to: [email protected]