Searching for Dissertations
Dissertations are a wonderful resource and offer good examples to use in your writing process.
The content and bibliography can be an invaluable resource as you gather information. Just remember to downolad the citation information.
There are different ways to access dissertations or get information about them.
F.Y.I. If you are searching for a dissertation title that may be similar to your subject, viewing a listing of titles is helpful, but can also be misleading because not all titles truly reflect the content or treatment of the subject as you might expect.
1. Trinity Seminary
- Trinity has a list of dissertation titles from their students and are available on the web page or through Trinity; just query this e-mailbox: contact@trinitysem.edu or call 812-853-0611.
- The online database (FirstSearch) offers WorldCatDissertations. Just click on the database after entering FirstSearch and search as usual.
2. Dissertation Abstracts
UMI/ProQuest Digital Dissertations http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations
An abstract is the summary of the content within a given dissertation.
One can search/browse in this database to download a minimum of citations and abstracts. Guest searches include listings from the last two years. If you desire more searching capability, there are fees involved. Search options similar to those above for TREN. If you desire to see more listings from Dissertation Abstracts let us suggest the following, which may be less expensive in the long run.
Dissertation Abstracts search available for a per-search-fee.
It is expensive to just browse, therefore Trinity’s online reference librarian will help you. It may be best to utilize the expertise of the librarian to save time and charges. Because of the time and charge involved, signatures from you and the librarian must appear on a printed contract for this service (downloadable). This entails specific ways to search confirmed by both you and the librarian. Feel free to contact the librarian via e-mail at: librarian@trinitysem.edu for further information.
3. Dissertation.com - http://www.dissertations.com
Created to help get dissertations published – can search & browse first 25 pages
4. Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN) http://www.tren.com
TREN is a library of over 7,800 theological thesis/dissertations titles representing research from as many as 70 different institutions. Titles may be ordered online through the search and order system. One can also view listings for Conference Papers and Newsletters of several academic societies.
Search options are : personal name, institution, degree and year of, subject.
Formats available are : digital downloadable e-docs (prices vary), paper copies for 15 cents per page, microfiche ($3.00-$5.00) per title plus S & H per item.
Click on ‘Other Resources’ to locate dissertations from other countries.
The “Bookstore” button will show you some of the best theological research out there.
5. Center for Research Libraries: http://www.crl.edu/ Countries outside US/Canada – collection not complete
6. American Doctoral Dissertations (includes Canada from ’57) http://www.virtualref.com/_verifier/19.htm
7. Austrian Digital Theses Program: http://adt.caul.edu.au/ – Go to “Welcome to the Austrian Dissertation Database” for “English” version Covers 1990-2003 with abstracts
8. Networked Digital Library of Theses & Dissertations This is a broad based resource in which you can : browse, submit your own theses into the database, find out about other research projects and community activities surrounding a given subject. The related links may also be useful. www.ndltd.org
9. Distinguished Dissertations in Christian Theology series: http://www.luthersem.edu/dds/
GETTING THE DISSERTATION
1. Loaning (Interlibrary Loan)
A. Trinity’s dissertations are available, but must be requested via the form on the Trinity Web Page or the Acdemic office via : contact@trinitysem.edu or by phone from the Seminary. Please realize that the Trinity community needs to continue to use these resources, so treat them kindly and return them when suggested.
B. Trinity does not currently support lending or borrowing any materials. Therefore, it is necessary that the desired title/dissertation be located in a library that has it on the shelf (in that library’s holdings). The parent institution for which the dissertation was created usually has a copy and may/may not have a policy to lend them out. Each library is a law unto itself and has their own lending/borrowing/interlibrary loan policies. If you need help locating a specific dissertation title, you may want to start at the parent institution and then try FirstSearch and use the database “WorldCat”. Or you could ask for help from Trinity’s online reference librarian or your local public/academic if you cannot locate the title. Either way, your library of choice will have to request it for you through their online interlibrary loan process.
2. Purchase the dissertation outright
A. University Microfilms International. (expect to pay about $40.00 and upwards) You may also purchase the dissertation itself from University Microfilms Int. UMI dissertations are now handled by ProQuest (another database provider), so know that you have the right place if you call them, but be sure to use the 4-digit extension number to reach the right office. UMI – 1-800-521-0600 x 3781 or www.UMI.com
B. TREN (Theological Research Exchange Network) You may purchase through TREN also. Pricing is reasonable TREN – 1-800-334-8736 or www.tren.com
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