Monash University theses

Coverage

Monash University regulations require that a copy of every higher degree thesis accepted by the university be deposited in the library.  This includes both doctoral and MPhil theses administered by the Monash Research Graduate School and other masters degree theses administered  by faculties of the university.

In general the library does not acquire Honours or other theses, although these may be accepted if they are specifically requested for a student reading list or are donated by the author.  The Law Faculty deposits all Honours theses in the Law Library.

The collection dates from 1963 when the first higher degree was awarded by the university.  Monash University Library currently has a collection of over 12,000 Monash theses.

Format

The library acquires a copy in paper format of every higher degree thesis and retains it in perpetuity.  Doctoral and MPhil  theses are transferred to the library by the Monash Research Graduate School; other masters theses are supplied by the relevant faculty

In 2004 the Monash Research Graduate School mandated the additional deposit of a digital version of each doctoral thesis.  The Library is able to accept deposit in a range of electronic formats and will assist with the deposit of the electronic version into the ARROW repository.  Theses will still be required to be deposited in paper, as well as an electronic version.  This mandate applies to all students who enrolled after June 2005, but students who commenced prior to that date are encouraged to deposit a digital copy with the library.  Some exemptions may be made for theses which incorporate components that cannot satisfactorily be digitised.

The library has created digital versions of all theses received since 2000, except where there are restrictions under an embargo.  Other older theses will be digitised as they are requested.

Access

A microfiche copy of each thesis is produced at the library’s expense, to facilitate access by users.  The microfiche is made available for consultation and for sale when requested by individuals or other institutions, while the original paper copy is retained in a designated thesis collection.  Where a digital copy has been received by the library a microfiche copy will no longer be made.

Access to the paper copy is restricted to ensure the long-term preservation of the work.

Access to the digital version is freely available on the internet through ARROW, the university’s digital repository.  ARROW provides open access to the full text of the thesis, unless embargoed.  The user can download the full text of the theses free of charge, but a fee is charged to the user if a non-digital format is requested.

All theses are catalogued in the library catalogue.  Digital theses are also searchable through web portals and search engines.

Embargoes

The author may place access restrictions on the thesis under certain circumstances.  This takes the form of an embargo generally for up to three years, and must be approved by the Monash Research Graduate School in the case of doctoral theses and the relevant  Faculty Board in the case of masters theses .  An embargo may be considered for sensitive works, those with commercial potential, or where re-publication by the author is likely.  Access may require the written consent of the author, or copying restrictions may be imposed

Embargoed theses are included in the library catalogue and the abstract, title, content pages and bibliographic details are available in the ARROW repository.

Location

The original paper copy of a thesis is kept in a separate closed access collection either in an offsite store or at the branch library most closely associated with the school at which the work was undertaken.  The microfiche is also held at that branch.

The digital version of a thesis is stored in ARROW.

Copyright

The copyright in a thesis belongs to the author.  The library asks permission from the author to make the thesis freely available online to the public.  Currently authors are asked to sign a similar permission in relation to the printed copy.  The author of the thesis adds a copyright notice to the front of the manuscript, acknowledging that he or she has not knowingly added third party copyrighted content to the work without the owner’s permission.  A procedure to manage the take-down of inadvertent exposure of third party material is provided through the university copyright website.

Amendment history
First issued, August 2006

Need help? Library frequently asked questions and online enquiries: current students/staff | public users, online chat, or phone +61 3 9905 5054
Something to say? Use our online enquiry service to send us your feedback and suggestions: current students/staff | public users