Repository Policies

Metadata Policy (for information describing items in the repository)
  • Anyone may access the metadata free of charge.
  • The metadata may be re-used in any medium without prior permission for not-for-profit purposes and re-sold commercially provided the OAI Identifier or a link to the original metadata record are given.
Data Policy (for full-text and other full data items)
  • Anyone may access full items free of charge.
  • Copies of full items generally can be:
  • reproduced, displayed or performed, and given to third parties in any format or medium
  • for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-profit purposes without prior permission or charge.
  • provided:
    • the authors, title and full bibliographic details are given
    • a hyperlink and/or URL are given for the original metadata page
    • the content is not changed in any way
  • Full items must not be sold commercially in any format or medium without formal permission of the copyright holders.
Content Policy (for document types and datasets)
  • This is an institutional repository.
  • The repository holds all types of items.
  • Items are individually tagged with their version type and date; their peer-review status; and their publication status.
Submission Policy (concerning depositors, quality & copyright)
  • Items may only be deposited by accredited members of the organisation, or their delegated agents.
  • Authors may only submit their own work for archiving.
  • The administrator only vets items for the eligibility of authors/depositors, relevance to the scope of the repository, valid layout & format, and the exclusion of spam.
  • The validity and authenticity of the content of submissions is the sole responsibility of the depositor.
  • Items can be deposited at any time, but will not be made publicly visible until any publishers' or funders' embargo period has expired.
  • Any copyright violations are entirely the responsibility of the authors/depositors.
  • If the repository receives proof of copyright violation, the relevant item will be removed immediately.
Preservation Policy
  • Items will be retained indefinitely.
  • The repository will try to ensure continued readability and accessibility.
  • Items will be migrated to new file formats where necessary.
  • Where possible, software emulations will be provided to access un-migrated formats.
  • The repository regularly backs up its files according to current best practice.
  • The original bit stream is retained for all items, in addition to any upgraded formats.
  • Items may not normally be removed from the repository.
  • Acceptable reasons for withdrawal include:
    • Proven copyright violation or plagiarism
    • Legal requirements and proven violations
    • National Security
    • Falsified research
  • Withdrawn items are not deleted per se, but are removed from public view.
  • Withdrawn items' identifiers/URLs are retained indefinitely.
  • URLs will continue to point to 'tombstone' citations, to avoid broken links and to retain item histories.
  • Changes to deposited items are not permitted.
  • Errata and corrigenda lists may be included with the original record if required.
  • If necessary, an updated version may be deposited.
  • In the event of the repository being closed down, the database will be transferred to another appropriate archive.