JISC

The Project is a coordinated action between representatives of the four Knowledge Exchange Partners (United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark), with input from a representative of the DiVA project of Sweden. It will carry out an initial analysis of compound (multi-file) electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) and develop a research roadmap for further work dealing with the production, management and preservation of these complex digital objects. ETDs are to be seen as one example document category within Institutional Repositories. From each country 4 example documents will be collected and analysed. As a basis for the analysis the OAI-ORE abstract model will be used to highlight the relationships involved and establish a semantic model for representing a compound ETD. Periodic virtual meetings and one workshop shall ensure coordinated communication and exchange of ideas between the project partners and ensure that a common understanding of the structure of compound ETDs is shared between the participants in order to deliver unified results.

Results will be:

• An initial generic representation of an ETD using concepts based on the OAI-ORE abstract model
• A collection of 4 example ETDs from each participant
• A candidate semantic representation of a compound ETD based on application of the generic representation to the 16 ETDs identified, describing the possible range of entity and relationship types, which may contribute to ongoing work in the OAI-ORE and DRIVERII projects to further enhance repository interoperability
• A research roadmap for further work regarding:
• a. Management and preservation of complex digital objects within Institutional Repositories
• b. Interoperability between content- and service providers in terms of the exchange of complex objects
• c. The rights management required to permit open access of ETDs, taking into account relevant national and international legislation
• Conclusions from a small international review workshop, which will cover the viability and sustainability of the data model (semantic representation).

To operate on an even broader European and international scale in future, a tight cooperation and communication with major EU funded projects and other international projects is essential: these include DRIVERII, DART-Europe, DiVA, and OAI-ORE