I am looking for any databases or websites (no fee) that anyone would have for business thesis. I am looking to start my venture in a doctorate program, and need to start narrowing my choice for a doctorate project. I wanted to see what was out there. Thanks.
Kristie - You probably want to look at Proquest's Digital Dissertations or UMI. Proquest has citations and abstracts for virtually all dissertations - and the first 24 pages available as a PDF for most recent dissertations. After checking out this, you can then buy the whole dissertation for under $40. Unfortunately, you won't find these services for free anywhere I'm aware of. Possibly you can find a univeristy library in your area that has access and will allow visitors to use it. You can probably find a place to subscribe to it as well. At NSU, where I graduated and am now taking a few additional courses, this service is available for all students on-campus and off. This question raises a key point - doctoral students need access to library services. Services vary widely by program. I'm big on NSU for a number of reasons - their library support is one. Regards - Andy QUOTE]Originally posted by kristie7 I am looking for any databases or websites (no fee) that anyone would have for business thesis. I am looking to start my venture in a doctorate program, and need to start narrowing my choice for a doctorate project. I wanted to see what was out there. Thanks. [/QUOTE]
Re: Re: Thesis Database Touro University International students receive free and complete access to ProQuest. That might be one source for you. In researching possible dissertation topics, I've found searching the web and reading my assigned PhD coursework articles and handouts much more helpful than looking at completed dissertations. One of the issues my current professor stresses, is to find a dissertation project that is "doable." In other words, you only need to add something original to the mountain of work that is already out there. Your job is to add a pebble to the top of that mountain of knowledge. He believes that too many PhD students try too hard to add something huge and earth changing to their field. This kind of challenge quickly becomes too much for one person to do in a couple of years. There are a few websites, like the one 'me again' posted, that offer advice for people working toward their PhD. I also like the links at PhinisheD.com. I've found them pretty helpful too. Ideally, your Ph.D. program, wherever you go, will guide you through the process. Good luck!
If you are willing to touch physical books, go check out the bound dissertation abstracts that I'm sure you will find in CSU Sacramento's library. While you are at it, take a look at the journal abstracts in your area of interest as well. Another suggestion, if you aren't doing it already, is to go up to the periodicals room and start reading the more relevant and interesting journals. See what people are writing about and what issues are generating interest. Look at the references and citations in those papers. Finally, talk to your professors once you are in a program. They can help you refine a topic.
One of the things many people forget to talk about, is the impact your committee has on this process. I agree with the previous comment about checking with your professor, preferably the chair of the committee to see what his or her interests are. If you pick a topic your chiar is interested in, this will go a long way to speeding up the process because your chair will be more invested in what you are doing.
Unfortunately I can't wait until accpetance. During the application process there is a 2-3 pages dissertation topic required. This will show the topic, other research done on the subject, how one will execute, etc. There are several areas (marketing, MIS, OB, etc.), and Ihave been trying to see what areas have more of a need. I have not gotten a response. I have several interests, and think if there are 100 applicants (for example) , and they all have MIS topics, that would be valuable information, so I might move my topic to something more concentrating on OB. I am attempting to contact the Professor's of each of the research areas, but finding it difficult...... more to follow.
This is a very relevant thread with very good suggestions being offered. I would appreciate feedback regarding the most methodical means of researching potential doctoral topics in order to avoid replicating a dissertation that has already been completed on the same topic? I am aware of proquest and several other databases but how can one be assured that they did not miss a dissertation that is not listed in these databases. Feedback would be appreciated. Thanks, Simon
Simon - you can't be sure you've seen all the relevant dissertations. Sometime a person will write on the same topic as you're interested in - but because of their title (or keywords), you don't see it when you do a search. Be sure to broaden your search terms to make sure you capture everything you can. Best bet is to check Proquest (and other databases) for dissertations and articles. Check conference proceedings as well. In each case, focus in on the bibliography - if your topic has been worked in the past, you'll find a set of articles and dissertations that are frequently referenced by the folks working in the topic. Your goal is to become an expert on your topic - and to know what's going on. The most challenging area is to find other discplines that are researching a similar idea. For example, I've been doing some work on data quality (particularly on web sources) in the IS discipline. I found that there are folks in the journalism field that have done similar research. Regards - Andy
Hi Andy, I appreciate your excellent suggestions. I will also be contacting several researchers in the area of my interest to possibly obtain their feedback and thoughts. Once again Andy thanks for your time. SImon
Simon, I think there is one other thing to remember. It may be possible to do research that someone else has done or is doing, but because you have some variations in your process or your hypothesis or your research questions, you are still able to do a valiid dissertation and add new information to the field. Remember, in reality you are building on the work of those who have come before you. You are not solving all the problems of he world. You add your unique piece. The most important part of a disseration is the part about "getting done!"
Re: Re: Re: Thesis Database Kristie - I just logged into to UMI Proquest Digital Dissertations. There are lots of business and org behaviour dissertations there. Again, I'm not sure hyow you can gain access to this product - except through a major library (such as NSU's). Regards - Andy
Check this site: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/browse/by_department/ Eli ABD, Touro University International
You can access proquest and even look up dissertations, but can only get very limited information, without going to a library.
