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What’s the issue?

This study examines the use of color in dissertations and theses, focusing on the preservation challenges and implications. The findings reveal the increase in color usage, its importance, and the fields that extensively utilize color. Recommendations for universities and librarians are provided.

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What’s the issue?

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  1. What’s the issue? The preservation medium for most dissertations and theses (D/Ts) is black & white microfilm. If a D/T contains color illustrations the information encoded in the color is lost.

  2. Methodology We examined Penn State D/Ts from 1995, 2000, and 2004. Electronic D/Ts were excluded. If color was found, the amount and type was noted.

  3. Has the use of color increased?

  4. How was color used? Graphs and charts, illustrations, photographs, colored text.

  5. How essential is the color? For graphs and charts – color was not always essential. For illustrations, photographs, etc. – color was usuallyessential.

  6. Which used color and how much? 17% of print D/Ts included color (13% of dissertations; 20% of theses) Of those with color: 32% had small amounts (<5 illus.) 33% had moderate amounts (5-20 illus.) 37% had large amounts (>20 illus.)

  7. Which fields of study used color? Engineering comprised 57% of the incidence of color. Other fields with significant numbers: - education, social sciences, sciences

  8. Which engineering fields use color? 25% of engineering D/Ts

  9. How much color did engineers use? Of those with color: 27% had small amounts (<5 illus.) 28% had moderate amounts (5-20 illus.) 45% had large amounts (>20 illus.) How was color used? 45% mixture of graphs, charts, illustrations 20% graphs & charts 35% illustrations

  10. Summary Inexpensive desktop color printing has allowed greater use of color in dissertations and theses. The preferred long term preservation method – black & white microfilm - doesn’t capture color. Engineers are using significant amounts of color in their D/Ts.

  11. Recommendations Universities should review D/T policies and take steps to educate graduate students (see example). Librarians should identify D/Ts with color and develop plans to preserve essential color illustrations.

  12. Example Michigan State University requires a signed letter of exception for the submission of color images for print dissertations and theses. MSU warns students that color images will not be captured in the microfilming process.

  13. Caveats and disclaimers These results are based upon a study of dissertations and theses produced at The Pennsylvania State University. Institutions which have been more pro-active in alerting students to the challenges of color may have significantly different results.

  14. Contact Information Linda Musser The Pennsylvania State University 105 Deike Building University Park PA 16802 814-863-7073 Lrm4@psu.edu

  15. Acknowledgements This study could not have been completed without the support of the Nancy L. Eaton Libraries Endowment Grant. Thank you!

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