Joachim Schopfel, Stéphane Chaudiron, Bernard Jacquemin, Hélène Prost, Marta Severo and Florence Thiault
Print theses and dissertations have regularly been submitted together with complementary material, such as maps, tables, speech samples, photos or videos, in various formats and…
Abstract
Purpose
Print theses and dissertations have regularly been submitted together with complementary material, such as maps, tables, speech samples, photos or videos, in various formats and on different supports. In the digital environment of open repositories and open data, these research results could become a rich source of research results and data sets, for reuse and other exploitation. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
After introducing electronic theses and dissertations (ETD) into the context of eScience, the paper investigates some aspects that impact the availability and openness of data sets and other supplemental files related to ETD (system architecture, metadata and data retrieval, legal aspects).
Findings
These items are part of the so-called “small data” of eScience, with a wide range of contents and formats. Their heterogeneity and their link to ETD need specific approaches to data curation and management, with specific metadata and identifiers and with specific services, workflows and systems. One size may not fit for all but it seems appropriate to separate text and data files. Regarding copyright and licensing, data sets must be evaluated carefully but should not be processed and disseminated under the same conditions as the related PhD theses. Some examples are presented.
Research limitations/implications
The paper concludes with recommendations for further investigation and development to foster open access to research results produced along with PhD theses.
Originality/value
ETDs are an important part of the content of open repositories. Yet, their potential as a gateway to underlying research results has not really been explored so far.
Details
Keywords
This chapter aims to describe the development of the interlending and document supply (DS) service over the past 30 years and to show that this service still has much to offer.
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter aims to describe the development of the interlending and document supply (DS) service over the past 30 years and to show that this service still has much to offer.
Methodology/approach
After a historical introduction, the current environment for researchers is assessed and analysed in the current context of the rapidly changing access to information.
Findings
The interlending and DS service has declined in the last 10 years owing to the dual impact of the ‘Big Deals’ and the growth in open access. However the service retains its value for providing access to the vast amounts of material that is still not freely available or is hidden behind expensive pay walls.
Originality/value
This is the only study that analyses the current global situation regarding the interlending and DS service.