Submitter FAQ

On this page, “submitter” includes students, faculty, and staff who are depositing work in SCW. For an overview of Open Access and IRs, see the About page.

Submitting

Who can submit?

DePauw students, faculty, and staff can submit eligible work. Student submissions may require instructor or program verification.

What kinds of work can I deposit?

Articles and chapters (pre/postprints), theses and capstones, posters, presentations, performances, exhibitions, recordings, creative works, working papers, technical reports, datasets, and more.

How do I submit?

Use our submission form and include your files, title/abstract, creators, date, and (if applicable) a citation to the published version.

Formatting & Versions

Which version can I deposit if my work is published?

Many publishers allow you to share a version of your work (often the accepted manuscript). The exact version and any embargo depend on your agreement. We can help you check your rights and choose the correct version.

File types and accessibility

Preferred formats are PDF for text and common, non-proprietary formats for media. Please ensure your files are readable and accessible (e.g., searchable text, captions for media when available).

Copyright & Rights

What does “Open Access” mean for my work in SCW?

Open Access means your work is free to read online and—depending on the license—may be reused for lawful purposes. OA is different from simply being free to read; OA usually allows copying and sharing that traditional copyright alone might restrict. Learn more at the BOAI.

How do I keep my rights as an author?

By default you own your copyright unless a signed agreement says otherwise. Some publisher contracts ask you to transfer copyright or grant exclusive rights. You can often keep more rights by negotiating terms or adding an author addendum (see SPARC Author Rights). If you’re unsure, we’ll help you review the agreement.

My working paper was later published in a journal. Can it stay in the repository?

Often yes—many journals permit prior working papers, especially if the published article is substantially revised. Check your author agreement for any restrictions. If it can remain, we recommend adding a citation and link to the published version on the working paper’s first page and in the record. We can help you update the citation.

Access & Visibility

Who can see and use my work?

Repository items are publicly available unless a collection has specific access limits or an embargo applies. If you select a Creative Commons license, it clarifies permitted reuse. See Creative Commons licenses.

Will my work be discoverable?

Yes. SCW content is indexed by major search engines and is designed to be discoverable in Google Scholar. Each item also receives a stable link you can cite and share.

Do I get usage statistics?

Yes. Item pages display download counts (and sometimes view counts). Ask us if you need a summary for a CV or report.

Help

Need assistance with rights, versions, or formatting?

We’re happy to advise on publisher policies, recommended versions, and how to choose a license. Contact the repository team for one-on-one help.