Qualitative Feedback to the Question: Do you think ETDs will minimise duplication of research?
“That would depend where it is located / indexed. If not part of for e.g. a widely used/indexed database like Medline, then it would be duplicated somewhere in the world.”
“Duplication might not be a bad thing - different results can be generated.”
“…the opposite will be the case.”
“…yes unnecessary duplication but at times duplication is needed.”
“The best way of minimising duplication in research is better literature searches. This is primarily dependant on the time invested by the student/researcher.”
“One would hope that before starting research, the person does a thorough literature survey to determine whether or not the work has already been done. This is however sometimes quite difficult when the research has not been published in easily accessible media. “
“If titles and abstracts are stored in a database, which can be accessed by students, this will make it easier to check for completed or work in progress topics. Otherwise you may have to check every individual University's website.”
“If the theses are readily accessible, it would be possible to study much of the unpublished work. Many theses contain information that may never be published.”
“Yes it will be easier to access material that may partly overlap, as well as to find relevant research.”
“Sometimes duplication is necessary as it gives different perspectives.”
“I really don't think
duplication of research is a big problem.”