Theses
Some background information - what is a thesis?
A thesis, also sometimes called a dissertation, is a lengthy research work written to prove a theory or proposition. The plural of thesis is theses. Theses are written by students wishing to obtain a higher qualification than an undergraduate degree. There are several different types of thesis.
Theses contain substantial original research, often in tightly defined fields of study. The research nearly always leads to important new material, results or interpretations which are unavailable elsewhere. Often they are never published, so reading the original thesis may be the only way to obtain certain information.
Theses can be written to obtain a Research Masters or Doctoral degree. These are known as a Research Thesis or a Major Thesis. Some (generally shorter ones) are written as part of a degree such as a Coursework Masters, and are known as a Coursework Thesis or a Minor Thesis. An Honours Thesis is written as part of the requirements for obtaining an honours degree. Regardless of the length or name, any thesis must display a high level of scholarship and research to be accepted by a university.
UTS Library has a collection of the research theses written by students at the University, and also a small number of theses written by students at other Australian and overseas universities. All theses held in the UTS Library are listed in the Library Catalogue. See below for details about how to find them.
In addition, there are several resources that allow you to search online for thesis references and (sometimes) thesis full text, both nationally and internationally. For example, a growing number of UTS theses and other Australian University theses can be viewed free online via the library's participation in the Australasian Digital Theses Program.
More information about electronic theses in general can be found via Electronic Theses and Dissertations - a bibliography.
Finding UTS theses in UTS Library
The easiest way to find theses is to do a keyword search on the library catalogue, but first change the Material Type from ANY to UTS THESES. Then type your keyword(s) into and click on the Search button. If you want to search for a phrase as a keyword, type it inside double quotes, for example "information technology".
Another method also uses keyword search, but this time leave Material Type as ANY, and instead type university technology sydney thesis into the keyword search box. Limit your search to theses written about a particular topic by adding a subject at the end.
Examples:
university technology sydney thesis
university technology sydney thesis accounting
If you wish to consult a printed UTS thesis, you should take note of its call number from the library catalogue, and request it at the library's Closed Reserve counter. Theses cannot be taken out of the library.
You can also check for online UTS theses at the Australasian Digital Theses Program.
Finding theses from other universities in UTS Library
UTS Library contains a limited number of printed theses from other Universities. To find a theses from another university, use the same search strategy as above, adding a subject at the end if you want to refine your search.
Examples:
harvard university thesis
new york state thesis
university queensland thesis politics
yale university thesis finance
Finding theses in UTS Library from any university on a particular topic
To find a theses written about a particular topic, but not limited to any particular university, simply type in the word thesis and a subject as a Keyword search of the library catalogue.
Examples:
thesis engineering
thesis australian literature
thesis human computer interaction
Finding UTS Honours theses (final year projects)
Most honours theses are kept in the faculties. UTS Library has a limited selection which can be found similarly to research theses.
Examples:
acupuncture 615.89207 FINA
honours thesis for all schools 378.242/8, and 378.242 HONO
Finding UTS Engineering Capstone Projects
Copies of all the Distinction and Higher Distinction Capstone projects are held in the Faculty Thesis Library. Students wishing to borrow past Capstone Projects need to complete a Capstone Project Loan Request form. Copies of the form are available in both LCDs. Forms must be lodged in LCD 1 for processing. Theses are normally available for collection on the following day.
Searching for theses online
Australasian Digital Theses Program
UTS is a member of this national program, the aim of which is to make Australian research theses available in full text, free online. The database can be searched by keyword, topic, author, university, etc.
Proquest Digital Dissertations
With more than 1.6 million entries, the Dissertation Abstracts database is the single, authoritative source for information about doctoral dissertations and master's theses. The database represents the work of authors from over 1,000 graduate schools and universities. Some 47,000 new dissertations and 12,000 new theses are added to the database each year.
ETD Digital Library - Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
Centre of a worldwide project to make more theses available electronically. Contains links to a number of sites that make theses available, some of which are free.
Historical Research for Higher Degrees in the United Kingdom
Lists theses in history completed in the United Kingdom each year.
Index to Theses
One of the library's databases, this requires a UTS login & password. An online index to theses accepted for higher degrees by the Universities of Great Britain, Ireland and the Council for Academic Awards.
Thesis Canada
Searchable database with records of all Canadian theses since 1965, and some online theses from 1998.
Nursing Theses Web Site
A searchable database of information about Australian Masters and Doctoral theses relating to nursing and midwifery, mostly from NSW. Has not been updated since 2001 however.
A+Education
A database that indexes most Australian Education theses.
CiteSeer.IST
A developing free scientific literature digital library which includes citations and articles on scientific topics (the main focus at present is computing). Includes some full-text theses in pdf format.
Writing Theses - Guides on the Internet
Thesis Development
Guidelines and links from the University Graduate School at UTS.
How To Write a PhD Thesis, Some Notes by Joe Wolfe, School of Physics, University of New South Wales. This information is especially relevant for students doing scientific or technical research
PhD - First Thoughts To Finished Writing
Detailed information about doing a PhD written by learning advisors from the University of Queensland
Writing and Presenting Your Thesis or Dissertation by S. Joseph Devine.
A very thorough guide written for Michigan State University graduate students, and now a free online book. Contains lots of useful links.
Copyright Guide for Research Students: what you need to know about copyright before depositing your electronic thesis in an online repository (pdf format).
From the OAK Law Project at Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
Useful UTS Web Sites
University Graduate School
Comprehensive site which includes information about graduate events, research degrees offered at UTS, fees & scholarships, services, and guidelines for thesis writing and research
BELL Program (Being an Effective Lifelong Learner)
UTS website designed to assist students with all aspects of study and research
STAR (Skills to Advance Your Research)
UTS website designed to support post-graduate research students. The section on thesis development has several relevant links
Writing Skills Guide on the Library website.
Finding resources in the UTS Library
Try doing a keyword search on the library catalogue to find books about researching and writing theses. You can also try these subject searches:
