The “Electronic Theses“ Project: A view from the consortium led by The Robert Gordon University Andrew Penman

Electronic Theses Project Funding from the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), as part of the Focus on Access to Institutional Resources (FAIR) programme is enabling several universities across the UK to undertake research and development projects on the theme of e-theses and e- prints.

FAIR Projects Electronic Theses DAEDALUS E-prints UK HaIRST SHERPA TARDIS Theses Alive!

University of London Library Leader of the ‘Electronic Theses’ consortium. This UK wide project involves the following institutions:

Project aims / objectives The main aim of the project is to evaluate a wide range of existing practice and methods of e-theses production, management and use against a set of criteria in order to produce recommended models for use within the UK information environment.

Project Stages Information Gathering NDLTD Members Website General WWW Search Questionnaire / UK Library survey Conference attendance and liaison Evaluation Breakdown of sites of interest via criteria Software Options available – Install Recommendations and Conclusions Proposed model/s Creation of suggested guidelines

Information Gathering NDLTD Members Website 152 members Database created containing information corresponding to a selected set of criteria Learning from others: success and established systems transferable to the UK

Chosen Criteria: Subjects and numbers stored Sites with usage statistics Production Requirements

Chosen Criteria cont. Usage of XML / SGML Access and Sustainability Security, Copyright and Administration Institutional Summary

Highlighted Best Practice Identified Sites Factors of Interest  User Interfaces  Graphical design and Layout  Ease of use and navigation  Metadata usage  Search and retrieval capabilities

Questionnaire: UK Library Survey Is your Library/Institution currently utilising or developing a system for the production and management of electronic theses? If 'No': Would you consider doing so if a suitable national model and guidelines are provided? If 'Yes': Is this organised centrally (e.g. by the Library) or undertaken selectively by departments? Is access restricted to staff and students of your own institution? Is there a Web page with information?

ETD Software Options Commercial Software Open Source Software Institutionally Developed

Existing ETD Software DSpace: Eprints: VT-ETD:

Evaluation – What Next? Reinventing the wheel? Barriers to Progression: Cultural change Guidelines and Recommendations