Options for Publishing Your Thesis After Graduation in Turkiye
1. National Open Access through YÖK National Theses Center
The first stop for graduates looking to disseminate their work is the YÖK National Theses Center, a pivotal component of Turkiye’s higher education framework:
- Mandatory Submission: All graduate theses and dissertations must be submitted to the National Theses Center (YÖK) upon completion. This regulation promotes electronic accessibility and encourages the spread of academic research throughout Turkiye and internationally.
- Exemptions and Access Control: While submission is mandated, students can restrict access only through formal confidentiality decisions by the university or related authorities. Individual authors cannot unilaterally limit access to their work.
- Submission Process: The procedure includes anonymizing the thesis by removing personal data and signatures to comply with data protection laws. Each university, such as Marmara University, provides specific guidelines to streamline the thesis submission process.
2. International Visibility via Academic Databases
For graduates seeking to bolster the visibility of their research on a global scale, joining international academic databases is advantageous:
- ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global: Institutions like Marmara University collaborate with major dissertation databases. For instance, Marmara University holds the distinction of being the first in Turkiye to ensure that its graduate works are available through ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global (PQDT).
- Benefits of Inclusion: Theses included in ProQuest are discoverable internationally, enhancing citation opportunities and facilitating academic collaboration worldwide.
3. University Library Repositories
In addition to national submission requirements, many Turkish universities maintain their own digital repositories:
- Institutional Repositories: Universities, including Marmara University, often host their repositories for student theses. The submission process generally follows university-specific protocols, ensuring proper formatting and adherence to data privacy standards.
- Enhanced Accessibility: Submissions to these institutional repositories can be indexed by academic search engines, further expanding the audience for your research.
4. Commercial Publishing and Additional Services
Beyond institutional requirements, graduates may explore additional avenues for their thesis publication:
- Turning Theses into Books: Graduates interested in transforming their thesis into a book or publishing through academic presses should consider utilizing professional thesis writing and editing services. This support can significantly enhance the quality and presentation of the thesis, aligning with the standards expected by publishers.
- Optional but Beneficial: While these services are not mandatory for YÖK submissions, they can be instrumental in preparing the thesis for broader publication, thereby increasing its marketability and academic impact.
Summary Table: Publishing Pathways
| Option | Scope | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| YÖK National Theses Center | National/International | Mandatory for all graduates | Open access unless official secrecy is granted. |
| ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global | International | University agreement needed | Available at Marmara University; boosts global reach. |
| University Digital Repositories | Institutional/Global | Follows university procedures | Usually indexed and accessible online. |
| Commercial/Professional Publishing | Global/Commercial | Author-initiated, optional | Enhances quality and marketability. |
Key Considerations
- Open Access Policy: Turkiye mandates that all graduate theses are open-access by default, ensuring high visibility nationally and internationally, unless a formal confidentiality exemption applies.
- Global Impact through Participation: By selecting universities that are part of international databases, graduates can further amplify the reach of their research.
- Professional Services: Engaging professional services to polish and adapt a thesis for publication can greatly improve its chances of acceptance by commercial publishers.
Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye
Explore the educational opportunities available to you in Turkiye and the various pathways for publishing your research.