INDEX TO THESES ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS PROJECT

With the help of a development grant, Index to Theses has successfully 
completed a web-based submissions project designed to facilitate the flow 
of theses information to the service and thus make improvements for 
submitting universities, authors and users of theses alike.

Index to Theses is the most comprehensive listing of British theses 
accepted for higher degrees by UK and Irish Universities.  The service 
is currently available by subscription to the combined print/online 
versions.
	
Information for inclusion in Index to Theses is currently 
sent and processed manually by the publisher, Expert 
Information, before being published in both the print 
version and online service.
	
The purpose of the development grant, awarded by JISC - the
Joint Information Systems Committee - has been to develop a
pilot to test the feasibility of automating the current 
submissions process, so that data may be submitted for 
publication via the internet.  This should result in a more
efficient, timely and richer service by both accelerating 
the publishing process and increasing the amount of relevant
information made available on each thesis. Also, by sharing
the information with the British Library Thesis Service, it
will streamline the submission procedure currently used. 

The submissions programme - monitored by UTOG, the University 
Theses Online Group - was tested rigorously throughout 2000 with the 
support of several pilot University sites.  The aims of the pilot were 
successfully achieved:

. To improve the speed of theses publication in Index to 
Theses via a web-based submissions procedure, from initial 
submission of data through validation to publication.

·To include additional information, currently not published
by Index to Theses, such as author contact details; names 
of supervisors, examiners and/or sponsoring company; 
contents pages and total number of pages; a reference list;
and relevant urls, including the author's homepage.

·To establish British Library requirements and determine 
the feasibility of seamless linking to the availability of 
relevant full texts of theses held at the British Library 
(or to other full-text sources).

A Call for Participation has just been issued to further this initiative.
To succeed, Index to Theses requires comprehensive adoption of the
automated submissions procedure and Expert Information is encouraging all UK Universities to participate. The JISC Scholarly Communication Group has endorsed the extension of the pilot project as part of JISC's support for access to electronic content in HE and FE institutions.

·Background to Index to Theses

Index to Theses was first published in 1950 as a SCONUL 
initiative undertaken by Aslib. The publication, issued 
semi-annually, covered the titles of theses with 
bibliographic details. In 1986 Expert Information Ltd 
acquired Index to Theses from Aslib and developed the 
publication by including abstracts, doubling the publishing
frequency and developing a CD-ROM version, since replaced 
with the current online version available on the internet 
at http://www.theses.com

To find out more about the Index to Theses submissions project, 
please email: [log in to unmask]

For subscription information, contact:
Portland Press Ltd
Commerce Way
Whitehall Industrial Estate
Colchester, Essex CO2 8HP
UK
T +44 (0)1206 796351
F +44 (0)1206 799331
http://www.theses.com
ISSN 0073-6066

The Library's British Thesis Service (BTS) provides access to the full 
text of most theses accepted for doctoral degrees by universities in the 
UK. For further information, please email: 
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About JISC
The JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) promotes the innovative 
application and use of information systems and information technology 
in higher and further education in the UK. Its central role ensures that 
the uptake of new technologies and methods is cost-effective, 
comprehensive and well focused.

The JISC is currently funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for 
England, the Further Education Funding Council, the Scottish Higher 
Education Funding Council, the Welsh Funding Councils, the Department of 
Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment and it works in 
partnership with the Research Councils.  Information about the JISC, its 
services and programmes can be found at http://www.jisc.ac.uk/
For further information about the JISC, contact JISC Assist by email at 
[log in to unmask] or telephone JISC Assist on 0117 954 6850.

***************************************************************
Dr Philip Pothen
DNER/RDN Communications Manager,
JISC DNER Office,
King's College London,
Strand Bridge House,
3rd Floor,
138-142 The Strand,
London WC2R 1HH

Tel:    020 7848 2935
Mobile: 07887 564 006
Fax:    020 7848 2939
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