Participate in the Electronic Theses Pilot Project!
What is it?
The electronic theses pilot project is the first step in creating a full-text, searchable archive of Reed theses. It was proposed to the Library Board in 2007 by the Reed Students for Free Culture, who asked that Reed explore ways to provide electronic access to senior theses.
Why electronic theses?
Electronic theses and dissertations are increasingly common at colleges and universities around the world and are a valuable resource for other students and researchers. Visitors of this digital archive will be able to search through thesis abstracts, keywords, and full text, as well as download a PDF, promoting greater access to the theses. Accompanying materials can also be linked to the electronic files, allowing for access to lab results, audio or video segments, digital images, or other relevant files.
If there is sufficient interest from students, and no insurmountable technical or staffing problems, it is likely that the library will make electronic access to senior theses an ongoing service. In addition, theses may eventually become a public collection accessible to anyone on the Web. This will allow you to easily access your thesis after you have graduated and will allow researchers from beyond the Reed community to benefit from the excellent research being done here at Reed. Don’t worry; we’ll never share your electronic thesis outside of the Reed community without your permission!
Do I have to submit my thesis electronically?
The project is completely voluntary and will not replace your printed, bound thesis. If you choose to participate, your thesis will become part of Reed Digital Collections. During the pilot project, access to the digital theses in Reed Digital Collections will be limited to Reed students, faculty, and staff. If the collection is ever made available on the open web, we will not include your thesis unless you have given us permission to do so.
How do I participate?
- Submit your thesis as a PDF not a Word document. Submit your thesis after you’ve completed your orals, made last corrections, and sent your thesis for printing. (The version that you submit should be identical to the final printed version of your thesis.)
- You may submit accompanying materials, such as digital images, audio, or video files. They should be compressed into a single zip file.
- You’ll need to provide basic information about your thesis (title, abstract, some keywords to make searching easier).
- Terms of access: If the electronic theses becomes an open access collection on the public Web, do you wish to participate, or would you prefer that your thesis remain available to just Reed students, faculty, and staff? You’ll be asked to indicate yes or no to this question when you submit your thesis.
- If your thesis incorporates copyrighted material not created by you, such as figures or illustrations, you’ll need to confirm that you have sought permission or are claiming fair use.
- The deadline for submitting your thesis is May 20th, 2009. Contact etheses@lists.reed.edu with any questions.
