SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This research project aimed generally to evaluate SOAS Research Online, the institutional repository of the School of Oriental and African Studies, to determine if it is a successful and trustworthy repository. A trustworthy digital repository is one that can demonstrate that it provides reliable long-term access to digital information resources to its user community, now and into the future. The repository was assessed, using the Digital Repository Audit Method Based on Risk Assessment (DRAMBORA), and a risk register produced. The assessment highlighted several areas that must be improved before the repository can be deemed trustworthy – primarily the development of a comprehensive set of policies and procedures, a mechanism for their regular review, and active engagement with the user community to ensure that the repository meets their needs. One of the key measures of success of a repository is the deposit of materials. SOAS Research Online contains both full text papers and metadata only (descriptive) records of research carried out by SOAS staff members. It was formally launched in 2008 and deposit of metadata only records has grown rapidly since the launch. However, deposit of full-text articles has been much slower. A questionnaire was circulated to SOAS academics in order to better understand the reasons for this. It was found that many academics found the repository too time consuming and difficult to use, and there is some confusion and concern over copyright infringement and publishers’ policies.