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Print Sources
Location: Last row of the Reference Section
When to use: Use for any dissertation published prior to 1982To search for dissertations using print sources, start with the Comprehensive Dissertation Indexes using the subject or author indexes. This allows for a quick overview of the material as well as providing a citation to the appropriate volume of Dissertation Abstracts for an abstract.
Comprehensive Dissertation Index (CDI) 1861-1972 (Ref Z 5053 C64x) CDI is the index to Dissertation Abstracts (see below). Thirty-seven volumes are divided by subject area with the last four volumes serving as the author index to all disciplines. Each subject area has its own keyword index. Bibliographic citations include title, author, degree awarded, year, awarding institution, UMI order # and Dissertation Abstracts International (DAI) location. The set is very easy to search and eliminates the need to search individual volumes of Dissertations Abstracts .
CDI 1973-1982 (Ref Z 5053 C64x) See above.
CDI 1983-1996 (Ref Z 5053 C64x) For these years, the CDI was issued as an annual of five volumes (2 for the Sciences, 2 for the Social Sciences and Humanities and 1 for an author index). Because of the lack of cumulative coverage that earlier CDI's provided, it is easier to search the Digital Dissertations online database.
Dissertation Abstracts International 1969-present (Z 5055 U5 A53) Divided into three sections: A-The Humanities and Social Sciences, B-The Sciences and Engineering and C-Worldwide (shelved separately - 1977-1990 on shelf). These volumes succeed Dissertation Abstracts (see below). The volumes are arranged by discipline and each entry includes UMI order # (full-text copies can be ordered through UMI-instructions are included in the volume)*, title, author's name, degree awarded, institution awarding degree, year awarded, number of pages, and an abstract. Author and keyword indexes are included as well.
Dissertation Abstracts 1938-1968 (Z 5055 U5 A53) Same arrangement and bibliographic information as Dissertation Abstracts International (Section C is called European Abstracts). These earlier editions include a keyword index but no author index.
American Doctoral Dissertations1957-present(Z 5055 U5 A55xa) Compiled for the Association of Research Libraries, this annual is arranged alphabetically by subject, by university within a subject area, and by author within a university. The volumes are based on the academic year and include author indexes. Because of its unique arrangement, one can determine the output of a given university within a given subject field. This provides an easy way to assess the work done at a given institution in a particular field. The citations include the title, author, degree awarded, awarding institution, year and UMI order #.
Print Sources
Location: Last row of the Reference Section
When to use: Use for any thesis published prior to 1982Cumulative Subject and Author Index to Volumes 1-15 of Masters Abstracts (Ref Z 5053 M48x) The index to Masters Abstracts 1962-1976 . The citations include title, author, institution, year and Masters Abstracts location.
Masters Abstracts International1986-present (Ref Z 5053 M48x) The successor of Masters Abstracts (see below). It is published bimonthly, arranged by discipline and includes an author index. Since it is published by UMI, the divisions of The Humanities and Social Sciences and The Sciences and Engineering still stand and the volumes include the same bibliographic and ordering information as Dissertation Abstracts (see above).
Masters Abstracts 1962-1985 (Ref Z 5053 M48x) A quarterly publication that preceded Masters Abstracts International (see above).
Research Abstracts1977-1990 (Ref Z 5053 M478x) Folded into Masters Abstracts International in 1991, Research Abstracts contains primarily pre- and post-doctoral research (some dissertations as well). The bibliographic information included mirrors Masters Abstracts International (see above).
Electronic Sources:
Digital Dissertations : Select it from the Database Finder section of the Libraries' Web site. The complete range of academic subjects appearing in theses and dissertations accepted at accredited institutions. It includes dissertation indexes (1861-present), dissertation abstracts (1980-present),theses abstracts (1988-present)and full text of first 24 pages of dissertations and theses (1997-present).
Dissertations and Theses from the University at Albany Only
Print:
Chadley, Otis. Dissertations (1979-1989): A Cumulative Bibliography of University at Albany Doctoral Dissertations (REF LD 3841 Z991 D63x 1991) The volume is subdivided by schools within the university and further by specific departments. An author and subject index is included.
Oetting, Edward C. Doctoral Dissertations State University of New York at Albany: A Bibliography 1963-1978 (REF LD 3841 Z991 047x) Arranged by department and alphabetically by author within each department. Citations include the author, title, date and location (call number). An author index is included as well.
Oetting, Edward C. Master's Theses State University of New York at Albany: A Bibliography 1914-1978 (Ask at the reference desk.) Arranged by department and alphabetically by author within each department. Citations include the author, title and date (no call numbers given). An author index is included as well.
American Doctoral Dissertations 1957-1996 (REF Z 5055 U5 A55xa) Arranged alphabetically by university within a given subject (see above).
Electronic:
Digital Dissertations See above for a full description. To location dissertations done at Albany, use the "Advance Search." Enter 0668 in the first search box and select "school" from the drop-down menu by clicking on the down triangle. This will pull all the records for University at Albany dissertations. You can combine other search terms with the previous query to narrow the number of records.
Minerva To search the online catalog for University at Albany dissertations or theses, select "UA Dissertations and Theses " from the Choose a Collection window on the right side of the main screen. Use the Browse search option if you know the exact title, author or subject of the dissertation or theses.
*All titles can be ordered directly from UMI which is the main publisher of doctoral dissertations. If you want to purchase a copy of a U.S. dissertation or thesis, contact Interlibrary Loan to initiate Dissertation Express. Through Dissertation Express, Interlibrary Loan acts as an intermediary with UMI and receives a discount from their stated prices. The flat rate for this service is $24.50 and the copy (yours to keep) arrives within a week. (UMI charges for Canadian and European titles are much higher.) If you are unwilling to pay for a copy, Interlibrary Loan will contact the institution that granted the dissertation (some universities will not lend copies). Also, some European dissertations can be obtained through Interlibrary Loan, but the process can take a few months. All questions should be directed to the Interlibrary Loan Office (UL 110) in the University Library.
Revised June 2003; Last reviewed 9/2005
This page is maintained by Carol Anne Germain
Comments to cgermain@uamail.albany.edu