Library

Murdoch University Digital Theses Program

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the benefits of making my thesis available electronically?
• Is it compulsory for me to make my thesis available electronically?
• Do I have to talk my Supervisor or Liaison Librarian before submitting?
• Will it be more open to plagiarism if it is available on the web?
• How do I know whether there are any copyright issues related to my thesis?
• Will I be able to publish the results of my thesis if it's in Murdoch's Digital Thesis program?
• Why are you only including Doctorate and Master by Research theses?
• What if I completed my thesis at Murdoch before the program started?
• What if I am now a member of Murdoch community but completed my thesis elsewhere?
• I am doing a creative arts PhD and there will be a DVD containing a movie submitted tothe examiners along with the written theoretical component. Do I submit the DVD with the digital copy of my thesis?

• What are the benefits of making my thesis available electronically?

  Approximately 4,000 degrees are awarded each year in Australia . Thesis authors work very hard to produce the important research contained in their theses but with print only deposit in University Libraries very little of this research will ever be accessed. With inclusion in the Australasian Digital Thesis program, these theses will be accessible to all interested researchers worldwide.

  Nationally there have been reports of thesis authors gaining jobs and further research offers because of the exposure of their research in the Digital Thesis program.

  There are distinct advantages to your University in having the research carried out by Murdoch higher degree by research students gain higher worldwide exposure. For example prospective thesis students use the Australasian Digital Thesis program web site to identify possible supervisors for their research.

• Is it compulsory for me to make my thesis available electronically?

  It is compulsory at Murdoch to submit an electronic copy of Research degrees to the University Library. However, it is not necessarily compulsory to have them published immediately. Access can be restricted for an agreed period of time if necessary. The ADT coordinator can provide further details.

• Do I have to talk my Supervisor or Liaison Librarian before submitting?
  
  It is a good idea to discuss this with your supervisor. It is also a good idea to contact your Liaison Librarian for advice before submitting as they can provide useful information that makes the whole process simpler.

• Will it be more open to plagiarism if it is available on the web?
  
  Plagiarism will always be a concern. However, many thesis authors already participating in the ADT program, consider publishing on the web in ADT for all to see [with the high level document security we apply] is more likely to be a foil against blatant plagiarism and lying in obscurity in a university library it is, possibly, more susceptible. If you have further concerns please contact the Murdoch ADT coordinator.
  

• How do I know whether there are any copyright issues related to my thesis?

  Check Murdoch's policy on copyright and talk to Kate Makowiecka (Murdoch Copyright Coordinator 9360 7491 or by email on K.Makowiecka@murdoch.edu.au). Parts of your thesis maybe subject to copyright restrictions. These parts, or the whole document may be given restricted access.

• Will I be able to publish the results of my thesis if it's in Murdoch's Digital Thesis program?

  Yes. You do not give up the rights to publish your theses in any way you wish. You might also like to contact particular publishers who will be able give you more details about their policies. Most publishers have no objection but it is important to check. The following URL might be useful in finding publishers details: http://www.nla.gov.au/libraries/resource/bookpub.html

• Why are you only including Doctorate and Master by Research theses?

  At the moment the national Australasian Digital Theses program only accepts Masters by Research and Doctoral Theses. Murdoch University is part of the national program and therefore must abide by the national standard.

• What if I am now a member of Murdoch community but completed my thesis elsewhere?

  You need to contact the institution where you completed your thesis and ask if they are participating in the program.

• I am doing a creative arts PhD and there will be a DVD containing a movie submitted tothe examiners along with the written theoretical component. Do I submit the DVD with the digital copy of my thesis?

  Please submit the DVD containing the movies as well. At present ADT does not have processes for including movie material as part of the thesis, but it is likely to do so in the future. We would keep the copy of the movie and once it is possible for the inclusion of movie material,we would make that available online.

		Research and Development
The ADT Program participants acknowledge the work done by Virginia Polytechnic Institute. This national pilot project utilises and adapts the concepts and deposit process software first developed at Virginia Polytechnic Institute.