Library Guides: DMIN-788 Tools for Ministry: Dissertations

Why Take the Time to Look at Dissertations?

Since the purpose of scholarly research is to add to knowledge, researchers check to see what has already been written on their chosen topic to use it as a backdrop for their own research.
Recent dissertations and theses are often good sources of bibliographic information.
Studying others' theses and dissertations helps researchers get ideas on how to structure their own theses.

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global This link opens in a new window
Provides indexing for millions of dissertations, with the full-text available for immediate free download and many available for purchase in print; the official digital dissertation archive for the Library of Congress.
More database information from ProQuest.
ProQuest Dissertations & Theses @ Oral Roberts University This link opens in a new window
Provides full-text of ORU dissertations and theses published after 1996; includes D.Min. research projects only prior to 1996; contains indexing since 1978.
Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN) This link opens in a new window
An index of theological theses/dissertations and conference paper titles representing research from higher education institutions, academic societies and theological associations.
More database information from TREN.
WorldCatDissertations This link opens in a new window
Contains records of dissertations and theses held by OCLC member libraries; some e-texts are available electronically, at no charge, via the publishing institution; some items may be borrowed via inter-library loan.

Trove
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A database of digital theses written by postgraduate research students in Australian universities.
DART Europe E-theses Portal
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Over 310,000 theses from 430+ universities in 24 European countries
NDLTD
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Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
Collection of 1 million+ ETDs (electronic theses & dissertations)
Tip: Click "View Full Content from Source Record," then find link to full text. Some go to TREN, where the desired title may be searched and purchased in various formats.
OATD - Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Indexes over 1.5 million theses and dissertations from 600+ institutions of higher education.

PQDT Open This link opens in a new window
Searches and provides access to abstracts and full-text of open access (free) dissertations and theses.
More database information from ProQuest.
RIM® Online (Research in Ministry) This link opens in a new window
Indexes DMin, DMiss, and EEdMin projects and theses from schools of theology accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the US and Canada.

TEL ~ Thèses-EN-Ligne
Theses Canada
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To limit your search to e-theses., click the radio button labeled "electronic theses."
UNISA Electronic Theses and Dissertations
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Over 3,400 theses and dissertations from the University of South Africa Institutional Repository