Transcript ELECTRONIC THESES AND DISSERTATIONS (ETD’S)

ELECTRONIC THESES AND
DISSERTATIONS (ETD’S)
Implementation of ETD’s
at the
University at Buffalo
Myron A. Thompson, Ph.D.
The Graduate School
March 2004
Presentation Outline
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What is an ETD?
What are the benefits of ETD’s?
Which institutions currently use ETD’s?
What is Proquest/UMI?
What is UB’s anticipated plan for ETD’s?
Summary and next steps
What is an ETD?
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A means for a graduate student to convey
electronically the product of his/her research
and scholarly activity.
A master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation in
electronic, rather than paper, format.
Can be identical to, or significantly different
from, the “look and feel” of traditional paperbased theses and dissertations.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ETD’s?
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For Students:
 Knowledge and skills for the Information Age
 Richer tools for creative expression (multi-media)
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For Universities:
 Expansion of capabilities in the digital library field and
its many advantages for students and scholars
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For the World:
 Global digital library – a growing array of useful works
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For all:
 Save time and money
 Increased visibility for all associated with research
The UB Libraries’ thesis and
dissertation stacks are “filled to the
gills” and rarely accessed
UB’s Master’s Theses
are “local only”
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Unlike many other institutions, UB’s master’s
theses are not presently published by
Proquest/UMI or any other outlet.
Scholars worldwide lack easy access to the
research of our master’s students.
UB’s master’s students and their supervising
faculty are denied the visibility and recognition
they deserve.
Our reputation as a graduate institution is
hampered by such underexposure.
Specific Advantages of ETD’s
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Expanded opportunities for creative expression of
research and scholarship
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Addition of multimedia files (audio, video, simulations, etc.)
More dynamic presentation of data/results
Hyperlinks
Spreadsheets and databases
Less expense to authors and universities
 No paper or paper handling costs
 No physical shelf space needed
 Reduced cataloging costs
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More access to research and its outcomes
 Research is readily available on campus
 Research can be made readily accessible worldwide
Many institutions worldwide already
require ETD’s. U.S. examples include:
 California Institute of
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Technology
Drexel University
Duquesne University
University of Florida
University of Georgia
East Tennessee State
University
Georgia Institute of
Technology
Louisiana State University
North Carolina State
University
Ohio State University
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Texas A&M University
Texas Tech University
University of North Texas
University of South Florida
University of Texas at
Austin
University of Texas Medical
Branch
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
West Virginia University
Western Kentucky
University
Worcester Polytechnic
University
What Options Are Available for
Processing and Management of ETD’s?
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“Home-grown” software solutions that initially accommodate
uploaded ETD’s at the campus level for subsequent forwarding to
Proquest/UMI (a 2-step handling process).
 Requires campus-based computer programming; robust and “mission-
critical” local computer hardware for receipt, management and storage
of ETD’s; substantial ongoing maintenance and operation costs.
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Web-based student uploading of ETD’s directly to Proquest/UMI
(1-step handling process).
 More efficient and timely processing of ETD’s.
 Campus controls the “look and feel” of its presence at Proquest/UMI.
 Campus controls all steps in the management of its ETD’s once they
arrive at Proquest/UMI.
 Campus avoids the costs of establishing and maintaining its own
technical systems and services.
What is Proquest/UMI and why
are more and more institutions
using it as their ETD agent?
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The world’s oldest (65 years) and largest
provider of dissertation publishing services,
global online access to dissertations, and the
digital archiving and access program.
The company publishes, films, archives, indexes,
and distributes doctoral dissertations and
master’s theses from institutions across North
America and around the world.
Over 99% of U.S. doctoral institutions already
utilize Proquest/UMI for other services.
What is Proquest/UMI and why
are more and more institutions
using it as their ETD agent?
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Proquest/UMI is the designated digital
dissertation archive for the U.S. Library of
Congress.
 First time the Library of Congress has recognized an external site
as its repository for a key collection.
 The Library of Congress uses Proquest as its access portal for
dissertations.
 If Proquest were ever to cease operation, it will contractually
surrender all holdings to the Library of Congress, thereby
assuring continued access and preservation.
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Proquest is the exclusive publishing agent for the
National Library of Canada.
What is UB’s anticipated plan
for ETD’s?
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The Graduate School Executive Committee, the
Academic Deans, the Dean of the Graduate
School and the Provost have all approved the
concept of ETD usage at UB.
Based on a careful analysis of alternative
approaches and existing models, the Graduate
School, in partnership with the UB Libraries, has
developed a detailed institutional two-stage
strategy to implement ETD’s.
What is UB’s anticipated plan
for ETD’s?
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Given its proven experience and expertise, utilize
Proquest/UMI as our ETD processing agent.
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As early as feasible, require all theses and dissertations to
be submitted electronically.
 To avoid additional budget costs, administrative complexity
and unnecessary administrative workload, do not maintain
concurrent electronic and paper-based systems of submission.
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Provide appropriate initial and ongoing ETD training and
support for students, faculty and staff.
Use budget savings from ETD’s to support additional library
holdings and services for the benefit of faculty and students
alike.
What is UB’s anticipated plan
for ETD’s?
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In essence, the submission of an ETD will
simply consist of the student’s electronic
“upload” of the final thesis or dissertation
instead of his/her submission of a paperbased version to the Graduate School.
Should they choose to do so, students and
faculty can follow existing patterns and
modes of paper-based document
preparation, sharing and review up until
the concluding step of actual submission
of the final document.
What is UB’s anticipated plan
for ETD’s?
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UB currently processes approximately
300 dissertations and 350 theses
annually.
Phase-in timetable for introduction of
mandatory ETD’s at UB:
 For doctoral dissertations, effective with those
who will receive their degrees June 1, 2005
 For masters theses, effective with those who
will receive their degrees September 1, 2005
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Little or no additional cost to students
What is UB’s anticipated plan
for ETD’s?
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Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders
 Students
 Faculty
 Department Staff
 Graduate School
 UB Libraries
 Proquest/UMI
Summary and Next Steps
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Graduate School contracts with Proquest/UMI for
appropriate ETD services and partnership
arrangements.
UB Libraries prepare new methods and
operating procedures for receipt and
management of ETD’s.
Graduate School develops program of ETD
training and consultation services for students
and faculty.
Open Discussion
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Questions, comments and suggestions may be
directed to:
 The UB Graduate School
Dr. Myron A. Thompson
Associate Provost and Executive Director
Phone 645-6227 or e-mail to [email protected]
 The UB Libraries
Mr. David J. Nuzzo
Head of Acquisitions Department and Acting Director of
Central Technical Services
Phone 645-2305 or e-mail to [email protected]