Are electronic theses and dissertations (still) grey literature in the digital age? A FAIR debate
| Published date | 03 April 2018 |
| Pages | 208-219 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-02-2017-0039 |
| Date | 03 April 2018 |
| Author | Joachim Schopfel,Behrooz Rasuli |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
Are electronic theses and
dissertations (still) grey literature
in the digital age? A FAIR debate
Joachim Schopfel
GERiiCO, University of Lille, Villeneuve d’Ascq, France, and
Behrooz Rasuli
Department of Scientometrics and Data Analysis,
Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (IranDoc),
Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Purpose –While distribution channelsof theses and dissertations have changed significantly in the digital
age, they are generally still considered grey literature. This paper aims to argue the applicability of the
concept of greyto electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs).
Design/methodology/approach –The paper is presented as a debate between two contradictory
opinionson the application of the grey literature concept to ETDs.
Findings –The paper providesa definition ofgrey literature and then discusses its applicationto electronic
dissertations andtheses. In particular, it assesses the aspects of acquisition, quality,access and preservation.
Some arguments highlight the “grey nature”ofETDs, such as the limited access via institutional and other
repositories.Other arguments (e.g. the development of ETD infrastructuresand the quality of ETDs) question
this grey approach to ETDs. Thepaper concludes that “greyness”remains a challenge for ETDs, a problem
waiting for solutionon the way to open science through the applicationof the FAIR (findability, accessibility,
interoperabilityreusability) principles.
Research limitations implications –Library and information science (LIS) professionals and
scientists should be careful about using the concept of grey literature. The debate will help academic
librarians and LIS researchersto better understand the nature of grey literature and its coverage,here in the
field of ETDs.
Originality/value –Some definitions from the print age may not be applicable to the digital age. The
contradictorycharacter of the debate helps clarify the similitudes and differencesof grey literature and ETDs
and highlightsthe challenge of ETDs, in particular, their accessibilityand findability.
Keywords Open access, Academic publishing, Grey literature, Electronic theses and dissertations,
FAIR principles
Paper type Viewpoint
Introduction
The debate started on the campus of the University of Lille, during the nineteenth
International Symposium on Electronic Theses and Dissertations in July 2016. Are
electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) still grey literature? Yes, they are still grey, said
one of the co-authors, at least in part, because theyare difficult to identify, to preserve and to
access. No, replied the other co-author,as, in the digital age, PhD theses are no longer “grey”,
The authors would like to acknowledge Gail McMillan from Virginia Tech for helpful comments and
advice.
EL
36,2
208
Received14 February 2017
Revised8 June 2017
Accepted1 August 2017
TheElectronic Library
Vol.36 No. 2, 2018
pp. 208-219
© Emerald Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/EL-02-2017-0039
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
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