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 provided the OAI Identifier or a link to the original metadata record are given.
  • The metadata must not be re-used in any medium for commercial purposes without formal permission.

Data Policy (for full-text and other full data items)

  • Anyone may access full items free of charge.
  • Single copies of full items can be reproduced, and displayed or performed in any format or medium for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-profit purposes without prior permission or charge.
  • 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 or departmental repository subject-based repository.
  • The repository holds all types of items.
  • All items are individually tagged with their peer-review status and publication status.

Submission Policy (concerning depositors, quality and 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 exclusion of spam
  • The validity and authenticity of the content of submissions is the sole responsibility of the depositor.
  • Items may not be deposited 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.
  • The repository regularly backs up its files according to current best practice.
  • 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  • Withdrawn items are not deleted per se, but are removed from public view.
  • Withdrawn items' identifiers/URLs are retained indefinitely.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.
  • 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.