ETDs and Best Practices in Canada

Abstract

Institutional Repositories (IRs) and ETD programs conducted in December 2011. The purpose of the survey was two-fold. The first was to show the growth of Institutional Repositories (IRs) across Canada. The second was to illustrate the state of the electronic theses and dissertations (ETD) submission programs at Canadian institutions. The survey was a follow up to a 2009 survey and illustrates there has been steady growth in both the number of IRs and ETD programs in Canada. Results of the survey include statistics on the number of IRs, types of materials in the IRs, the type software platform, the number of ETD programs, whether electronic submission is mandatory, if embargoed or restricted theses and dissertations are allowed, the number of institutions having their ETDs harvested by Library and Archives Canada and the number of institutions sending their theses to ProQuest and retaining a microfiche copy. The survey was sent to Canadian institutions where a thesis or dissertation is required for graduation and to Canadian institutions who are members of the Canadian Association for Research Libraries. Responses were received from 33 institutions. Best practices for ETD programs and workflows will also be discussed. Focus areas include the PDF format for multiple and multi-media files, OAI-PMH harvesting, mandatory submission and embargoes. By analyzing the results of the survey, it is clear that Canada is moving forward quickly in the implementation of ETD submission programs. The fact that over 70% of Canadian institutions have their ETDs harvested by Library and Archives Canada puts Canada, and it’s National Library, in a unique position to share its knowledge and expertise in ETD programs and ETD workflows.