How do I find an OU dissertation or thesis?
Answer
Locating Dissertations and Theses
To search for theses and dissertations, use the following resources:
For Oakland University theses and dissertations, use the "advanced search" function in Library OneSearch (shown in first image below). Search "Oakland University" (include the quotation marks, as in the first image) and limit the "Material Type" to "Dissertations/Theses" (as in the second image).
Searching in the library catalog will help you find both print and electronic copies of dissertations. You can also try the Dissertations and Theses at OU database to locate only electronic copies of OU students' dissertations.
For dissertations outside of Oakland University, use the Dissertations and Theses database, which provides full-text dissertations online.
If you can't locate the text of a dissertation, try these steps:
- Ask the liaison librarian for the discipline for help.
- Request a copy of non-OU dissertations through Interlibrary Loan.
- Search the internet for the dissertation title -- some dissertations are placed in their university's online repository and are available online to the public.
- Contact the author of the dissertation -- many may be willing to share their work with you.
- Order a print or electronic copy of the dissertation through Dissertation Express (approximate cost: $37 to $75; please note that this service is currently unavailable).
Additional resources:
- OAIster (search for open access dissertations and theses)
- WorldCat (search libraries across the globe for information on dissertations)
- Open Access Theses and Dissertations (the gateway to open access dissertations)
- Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (search for dissertations, whether open access or not)
- DART Europe (portal to dissertations from European countries)
- Theses.fr (French dissertations)
- EthOS (British dissertations; please note that this service is currently unavailable)
- TROVE (Australian theses)
- Theses Canada