Non-Traditional Theses
Preserve your thesis for long-term access and reuse. Add context and metadata so your work remains discoverable, understandable, and creditable over time.
Key Considerations
1. Plan Early for Preservation and Access
- Consult with the library and Faculty of Graduate Studies early to plan how your non-traditional work will be archived and described. Complex digital assets can be surprisingly fragile, we are here to help.
2. Add Description and Context
- Prepare descriptive metadata, including keywords, subjects, abstracts, and file-level titles or descriptions, to ensure your work is understandable and findable.
- Use a data documentation guide or README file to capture essential context, structure, and instructions for interpreting your work (Data Documentation Guide).
3. Submit, Protect, and Share Your Work
- Review the Thesis Submission Guide for procedures to submit to The Vault, including options for digital, performative, or hybrid works.
- Discuss access restriction options if your work includes sensitive, ceremonial, or community-owned elements.
- Use tools like the Intellectual Property Checklist to clarify copyright, licensing, and ownership issues before submission.
Resources and Supports
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Digital Preservation at UCalgaryResources for planning sustainable long-term access to digital work.
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DPC Technology Watch ReportsPreservation guidance for various digital formats.
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Data Curation Network PrimersPractical guides for curating and preserving digital, creative, and interdisciplinary research outputs.
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Guidelines for Preserving New Forms of ScholarshipGuidelines from a group of digital preservation institutions, libraries and university presses for preserving new forms of scholarship. Funded by The Mellon Foundation.
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Preservability Self-Assessment ToolUse with the Guidelines for Preservability in New Forms of Scholarship
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Thesis Submission GuideDetailed instructions for preparing and submitting your thesis to The Vault.
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Data Documentation Guide README GuidanceTemplates and best practices for adding context and structure to your digital files.
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Intellectual Property ChecklistTool to help identify copyright, licensing, and reuse considerations for your thesis materials.
- Last Updated: Aug 20, 2025 12:34 PM
- URL: https://libguides.ucalgary.ca/theses/non-traditional
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