‘Electronic Theses’The RGU Project

Background to the Project Aims and Objectives

Dr. Susan Copeland

University of London LibraryUniversity of London Library

Consortium Members

Advantages of E-Theses (1)For Researchers:

Immediate access

Remote access

24/7 access

Simultaneous multi-users

Full content searches

Advantages of E-Theses (2)For Students:

Improved access

Cost effective production

Improved IT skills

Greater creativity/flexibility in expressing results

Advantages of E-Theses (3)For Libraries:

Reduced storage space

Fewer Inter-Library Loans

Staff time saved on shelving etc.

Concerns and Issues Staff Time

IT expertise Students Supervisors Examiners

IT Infrastructure

IPR, Copyright

Archiving

Central repository

The Environment

E-resources

Survey on the use of doctoral theses in British universities

International ETD developments

‘Electronic Theses’ ProjectAim and Timescale (Phase 1)

“To evaluate a wide range of existing practices of e-theses production, management and use against a set of criteria in order to produce models for use within the UK information environment”.

July 2002 – July 2004

Objectives (Phase 1)

To identify examples of relevant best practice which could be adopted throughout the UK information environment.

To evaluate a comprehensive selection of methods, which are used to create, store, organise, manage and access e-theses.

To liaise with the ‘Daedalus’ and ‘Theses Alive!’ projects.

To produce a model, or models, of e-theses production which could be recommended for converting paper-based theses into digital format.

Objectives (Phase 1) …continued

To produce a model or models, of e-theses production which could be recommended for creating born-digital theses.

To produce a set of guidelines for the storage, organisation and management of the above collections.

To produce models for access arrangements to the above, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of centralised, federated, distributed or individual collections.

Aim and Timescale (Phase 2)

To develop e-theses in a service environment – taking account of the needs of an independent repository and a broader Virtual Research Environment (VRE).

October 2003 – September 2004

Objectives (Phase 2)

To create an e-theses archive hosted using EPrints software

To create an e-theses archive hosted using DSpace software

To demonstrate the integration of the above within institutional WebPages

To assess the difference between the capabilities of EPrints and DSpace archives from the point of view of installation, administration and usage.

To identify preferred methods of embedding audio-visual resources and interactive material within a single ETD file

To identify preferred methods of delivery of e-theses at institutional and national level

Progress

Software – DSpace and EPrints Metadata – core set Rights / Licenses Plagiarism Authentication IR – “ProfileSkim” software Culture change User Education Liaison

Daedalus and Theses Alive! NDLTD SCONUL / CIRT E-Measures Project

British Library Thesis Service developments

After Today

Feedback would be appreciated on:

The issues raised

Your knowledge and experience of ETD developments

Views on the future development of ETDs

Communication:

The RGU project website: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/library/e-theses.htm

An e-theses mailing list