The changing landscape of dissertation supplementary and supporting content: ETDs in transformation

The changing landscape of dissertation supplementary and supporting content: ETDs in transformation

Amanda Ross

Objective: Many new content types are available in theses and dissertations. There are various circumstances in which an author may want to include supplementary digital materials with his/her graduate work. For example, an analysis of the topography of a region might be accompanied by a computer simulated ""flight"" through that area. A dissertation on gene sequences might include a complete gene mapping database. Other examples of content which cannot be included in printed manuscript include audio content, code script, and data files. This has led changing EDT requirements for both libraries and graduate schools. The author will provide data related to changes observed among the 700 institutions who submit to the ProQuest/ UMI Dissertation Publishing program with the aim of informing the community about these trends to facilitate knowledge transfer and sharing of best practices. Methods: As well as the research and development processes behind the project, the submission and access methods, the paper will look at implications for copyright and use of software licenses with supplementary files. Results: We look at most successful and easiest supplementary file types to submit, showcase examples of the most innovative examples of "new" content types available, and look ahead to future developments. Conclusions: Access to key supporting materials is now easily available. This enhances the scholarly record and ensures graduate schools and students future access to this valuable research.

2008