Link to print-friendly version
Theses and dissertations are detailed scholarly papers usually produced as part of fulfilling requirements for Masters and Doctoral degrees. This guide will help you locate them.
Table of Contents:
Finding Western Washington University Theses
- Where are theses located in Western Libraries?
Since 1948 Western Libraries has kept a large number of Masters, Honors, and Huxley theses published at Western Washington University. Circulating copies of Masters and Honors theses can be found on Wilson 4 East in the Oversize section. The call number used for Masters theses is LD5778.9, and for Honors theses is LD5778.8. For many of the Masters Theses we have a circulating copy as well as an archived, non-circulating copy located in Special Collections. Most Huxley papers are also on Wilson 4 East, in the regular section, with the call numbers all starting with LD 5778.85.
- How do I find theses using the online catalog?
- Search by TITLE or AUTHOR
To find theses that have been published at Western Washington University you can search the catalog by Title or Author if known. If you do not have an author or title there are several ways you can find WWU theses.
- Search by KEYWORD with limits
- Advanced keyword
In an Advanced Keyword search in the library catalog enter Western as your search term, and choose the Note field from the drop down menu. Select THESIS as the Material Type you are searching for.
This search will retrieve a comprehensive list of theses published at Western Washington University, including Huxley papers.
- Huxley papers
If you are interested only in Huxley papers, including internship reports and environmental impact assessments, enter Huxley (instead of Western) in the Note field. By adding more keywords you can limit your search to the subject you are interested in, for example, Huxley AND salmon or Huxley AND Whatcom. For another keyword search option, enter Huxley and choose Any Field. Limit your search to PRINTED MATL as the Material Type you are searching for.
- Search by SUBJECT
To browse a list of theses by subject, conduct a LC Subject search in the catalog. There are a number of official subject headings used to indicate theses.
Use the following three subject headings to find theses published from 1977 to the present:
Masters thesis --Western Washington University Masters field project
Western Washington University Honors senior project -- Western Washington University
To find theses published prior to 1977 use these subject headings:
Masters thesis -- Western Washington State College
Honors Senior Project -- Western Washington State College
Dissertations, Academic -- Washington (State) -- Bellingham
After conducting a search using one of these subject headings, you will receive a list of subject headings divided by broad discipline. For example:
Masters field project -- Western Washington University -- Adult Education
Masters field project -- Western Washington University -- Art
Masters field project -- Western Washington University -- Business
Click on the subject that you interested in for a list of the theses we have in this subject. Click on a title to view more detailed information including the call number, location and status.
[Return to Top]
Finding Theses or Dissertations Published at Other Universities
- Dissertations & Theses (ProQuest)
Digital Dissertations provides subject, title, and author access to almost all American dissertations accepted at accredited institutions since 1861. Masters theses have been selectively indexed since 1962. Abstracts are included for doctoral dissertation records from July 1980 to the present and for masters theses from 1988.
- To find the database:
Click on the link above, or from the library homepage, go to Articles & Databases. Next, under Find article databases by name, click on D and choose Dissertations & Theses (ProQuest). For assistance searching in the database, ask at the Reference Desk or choose help.
- Dissertation Abstracts and Dissertation Abstracts International
Dissertation Abstracts, later becoming Dissertation Abstracts International, is the original print version of Digital Dissertations. These volumes are located with the periodicals in Wilson 1 East and on Microfilm in Wilson 2 West, with the call number LB2391.U5 D55. If you plan to borrow or purchase a dissertation that you find in Dissertation Abstracts, make sure to record the title, author, institution and publication number for placing your order.
- Dissertation abstracts international : retrospective index, volume I-XXIX
• Check Catalog
[Return to Top]
Borrowing and Purchasing Theses and Dissertations
- Borrowing theses and dissertations through interlibrary loan (ILLiad):
Dissertations and theses are often available through interlibrary loan using ILLiad. Students, faculty and staff are all eligible to use this service. If you have already registered for ILLiad, click here to login and access the service. Select Thesis and request your item. If you have not yet used ILLiad, you will need to register first.
- Purchasing copies of theses and dissertations:
Through Dissertations & Theses (ProQuest) you may choose to purchase a dissertation or thesis using your credit card or by printing and mailing an order form. Prices range from $27 (for titles available for electronic download) to $56 (for a hardbound copy).
You may also choose to purchase a title you find using Dissertations & Theses (ProQuest), Dissertation Abstracts, or Dissertation Abstracts International by phoning UMI at 1-800-521-3042. You will need the author, title, and institution OR the publication number.
You may also purchase unbound, loose page copies of dissertations and theses through Western Libraries Interlibrary Loan office. Please contact them at (360)650-7641 for additional information.
[Return to Top]
Other Useful Resources and Tips
- To find additional indexes and bibliographies of dissertations and theses:
To find additional indexes and bibliographies of dissertations and theses, use the following subject headings in a LC Subject search in the catalog:
Dissertations, Academic -- Abstracts.
Dissertations, Academic -- Bibliography.
Dissertations, Academic -- United States -- Bibliography.
Scroll through all of the subject headings that begin with Dissertations, Academic to find specialized and subject-specific indexes.
- British Public Library Catalogue
Allows a search or their holdings which includes an extensive collection of American, Canadian, and British doctoral dissertations.
- Theses Canada Portal
Theses Canada is a comprehensive searchable database of Canadian theses compiled by the National Library of Canada (NLC) and other Canadian university libraries. Indexing goes back to 1965, with free access full text availability from 1998 to 2002.
- Writing theses/dissertation handbooks
Western Libraries and WWU Writing Center have many titles that provide instruction on writing theses. These include:
- Guide to the successful thesis and dissertation : a handbook for students and faculty
Location: Writing Center LB2369 .M377 1998
Check Catalog
- Guide to writing empirical papers, theses, and dissertations / Garson, G. David.
• Location: Haggard 2 -Reference LB2369 .G27 2002
• Check Catalog
- For additional help:
To find additional help on writing theses and dissertations, try a LC Subject search in the library catalog, using the following subject headings:
Dissertations, Academic
Dissertations, Academic -- Handbooks, Manuals, Etc.
Dissertations, Academic -- Authorship -- Handbooks, Manuals, Etc.
[Return to Top]
Additional Help
Help locating information for your research project is available.
Come in to the Reference & Information Desk on Haggard 2.
Call Reference & Information at 360-650-3094.
Request quick help online using email reference.
Contact a subject librarian.
[Return to Top]
Page Coordinator: Martha Mautino martha.mautino@wwu.edu
Page Maintained by: Martha Mautino
This URL: http://www.library.wwu.edu/lmt/page.phtml?page_id=860
Last Modified: 2007-09-07 12:32:12
Powered by LibData
© 2007
|