Ethos

How do researchers currently access post graduate research theses from UK Higher Education Institutions as a source of valuable information?

The current theses request process is a rather complex, resource intensive, and is mainly manually driven.

A researcher associated with a UK Higher Education institution would usually approach their own institution's library services with the basic details of the thesis or theses known.
The thesis may be held by the institution library services, which is the case for theses submitted within that institution. In this case, the thesis may be accessible by that institution's e-theses system or by manual means.
If it is a thesis housed in another UK institution, the institution's library would then access conventional or electronic UK Theses catalogues to obtain the bibliographic information on that thesis, most importantly, the shelf mark. The institution's library would then request the thesis from the British Library.

The thesis request process then continues through some complex internal processes within the British Library. On a very high level however, if a microfilm copy of the thesis is not held by the British Library:-

The UK institution where the requested thesis resides must be contacted and the bound copy of the theses requested for delivery to the British Library.
That institution's library would progress this request and mail the bound thesis to the British Library, pending on permission by the author.
The British Library then manually scans the bound thesis to create a microfilm (which can be purchased or loaned to the requesting institution) or paper copy (which is purchased by the requesting institution).
The copied thesis is sent to the requesting institution who in turn contact the researcher. The original is returned to the supplier institution.

If the thesis is held by the British Library, it is scanned and a paper or microfilm copy sent or loaned as above.

It is clear to see that the current situation is complex in terms of those involved and the corresponding institutional, internal processes required.
The current process is indeed very resource intensive.
Therefore, there are not insignificant costs in terms of staff time in all institutions involved.
However, most importantly, the lead time in delivery to the researcher from time of request must be improved. Currently, this can take up to 6 weeks if the thesis is not held by the British Library.
The current situation does not promote easy UK research theses information access or usage as a valuable knowledge resource.
It does not promote visibility of UK Higher Education post graduate research.
It does not contribute dynamically to the global knowledge pool.

EThOS is:

Improving research theses access to those who need it

Improving post graduate research knowledge transfer to students

Creating a one stop electronic shop for all UK Theses

Promoting UK Higher Education post graduate research to the world

Contributing to the global knowledge pool

Accessing Theses - The current situation in the UK