 |
 |
Perhaps I can add something to this discussion. The reason we know that mandates are the only way to get repositories full is simple- it works and nothing else does. Long experience over many years has consistently proven that persuading academics to deposit their papers is a Sisyphean task. A few academics stay persuaded, but the persuasion for most wears off after a while, and the persuaded academics drop out. The balance seems to be around 15%, maybe slightly higher like 20% where the benefits are more obvious. Neither level is satisfying and no-one has found any good argument for persuasion as a strategy, except as a route to a mandate. Let's not get hung up about mandates. Academics are mandated all the time. Indeed it is an intrinsic part of what it means to be an academic. They are required to turn up to scheduled lectures. They are required to set exam papers, and even worse to mark them. Most academics are required to undergo performance management evaluation, or to go through promotion procedures to proceed in rank. Academics are required not to molest their students or show personal preferences. When things like the RAE/REF are contemplated, academics are required to take part. Academics are also required to publish their research. Academics happily mandate that their students must submit assignments on time, and turn up to exams. I could keep going on for quite a long time... The only immediate solution in this transitional time is deposit mandates. Once mandates are universal, they become the community norm but a mandate nonetheless. Arthur Sale University of Tasmania Australia