Student Scholarship: A Valuable Asset and Explaining Downloads

This presentation draws on the experience of a group of Texas State student papers which have been downloaded over 370,000 times (400 papers) for average downloads of over 900. These extraordinary download rates are a product of department and library collaboration. Using these Master of Public Administration, capstone papers as a kind of best practice the presentation will examine 1) compelling ethical arguments for widespread distribution of well vetted student papers; 2) successful library/academic department collaboration; 3) factors that influence downloads (using regression analysis); 4) ways student papers are being used; and 5) suggestions for ways enhance inter-university collaboration, and use of student papers.