Articles in thesis

Can I include my articles in my thesis?

You may include your published articles in your thesis for conferral. However, if candidates include the publisher version of their article in their thesis for marking, they will generally need to substitute the accepted version of this article in their thesis for publication, see below.

But when submitting your thesis with articles for publication on Griffith Research Online, you are permitting Griffith University to publish articles whose copyright will normally belong to the journal publishers. This should not be a problem if you follow the advice in this guide. If you don't get the required permissions to include your articles, then you must either redact your article/s from your thesis or put an embargo on the publication of your thesis until you obtain the permissions. You can request an embargo through thesisexams@griffith.edu.au.

How can I get permission to include the version I want in my thesis for publication?

Take the steps listed below until you get permission. Normally permission for the accepted version will include an embargo period of 12 months or even more before you may publish the postprint or accepted version of your article in your thesis on Griffith Research Online, although some permissions may permit you to publish immediately. Note that Griffith will publish your thesis 12 months after conferral, unless you request otherwise. Please store your permission so it can be retrieved if required.

Some students take a proactive step to get permission. Before signing their publication agreement, they hand write onto the agreement the following addendum: "By signing this document, parties agree that the accepted version of this article may be included in the author's thesis for publication on Griffith Research Online in accordance with Griffith University's policy." This addition to their agreement gives these students the permission they require.

How to get permission for the Postprint (or "accepted") version

Articles published by Elsevier, Sage or Springer

Elsevier and Sage permit the insertion of the accepted version of an article immediately after publication in an author's thesis for publication on Griffith Research Online. If your article is published with Elsevier or Sage , you don't need permission.

Springer will also permit you to publish your accepted version immediately in your thesis on Griffith Research Online. But you must formally get permission to do this through the Reprints Permissions link, found on the About this Article tab on the web page where you article is published.

Articles not published with Elsevier, Sage or Springer

1. Search using your journal title on the Sherpa Romeo website to find the embargo period for the postprint (or "accepted") version of your article on an Institutional Repository. Normally the embargo will be 12 months. As your thesis will be published on Griffith Research Online 12 months after conferral, a 12 month embargo will permit you to include your accepted version. If you need help, ask the Library.
2. Alternatively, check your publisher's agreement or your publisher's Journal Author Rights on the internet. Some publisher's agreements or policies allow you to include the accepted version of your article in your thesis for publication on a University Repository website such as Griffith Research Online. Contact the Copyright and Information Policy Officer if you need assistance in understanding your agreement.
3. If none of the above work for you, adapt and send a permission email to include the accepted version in your thesis for publication on Griffith Research Online. Normally you will receive an email reply granting permission within a week.
4. If, after sending the permission email, you don't receive the permission you require, seek advice from the Copyright and Information Policy Officer.

How to get permission for the Publisher's version

1. If your article is published with Elsevier, there is no need to get permission. Elsevier permits the insertion of the publisher version of your article immediately after publication in your thesis for publication on Griffith Research Online.
2. If you are not publishing with Elsevier, check your publisher's agreement or your publisher's Journal Author Rights on the internet. Some publisher's agreements or policies allow you to include the publisher's version of your article in your thesis for publication on a University Repository website such as Griffith Research Online. Contact the Copyright and Information Policy Officer if you need assistance in understanding your agreement.
3. If none of the above work for you, adapt and send a permission email to include the publisher's version in your thesis for publication on Griffith Research Online. You should normally receive a response within a week.
4. If, after sending the permission email, you don't receive the permission you require, seek advice from the Copyright and Information Policy Officer.