Theses and Dissertations allow a degree candidate to demonstrate their ability to perform research in their field. The Wahlstrom Library can support you during the process.
A thesis or dissertation is a lengthy, involved project for which advanced planning is necessary to ensure success. Consult your program’s specific thesis / dissertation guidelines, rules and timelines and talk to your advisor when planning. If you aren’t certain of the viability of a topic, doing a literature review will help give you an idea of whether research into your topic will be of value to your field. If you find that the topic is valid, your advisor can then help you decide whether the scope of your project will allow you to complete it in a timely manner.
If you want some tips on how to most efficiently find the most relevant articles supporting your thesis, this is a great time to contact a librarian and schedule a research consultation. We can help you identify relevant search terms, navigate the most useful article databases, and order any needed resources that UB doesn’t own through Interlibrary Loan.
Some departments here at the University of Bridgeport will require that you archive your final draft in an online resource like the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Find out any associated cost(s) ahead of time so you won’t be surprised by this at the end of the academic year. You can submit your dissertation or thesis to ProQuest via this link to ProQuest ETD Administrator. Review the ProQuest ETD Administrator – Student Guide. If you have questions about submitting your work to ProQuest, please contact a librarian.
It is also highly recommended that you submit a digital copy of your completed dissertation or thesis to the University of Bridgeport’s institutional repository, UB ScholarWorks. Doing so will allow you and others to access your work online in a controlled environment.
What is a citation management tool?
Citation management tools are software or web-based applications that allow you to store, organize, annotate, and synthesize bibliographic citations. They can be an important tool for the advanced researcher to stay organized.
Most citation management tools provide the following functions:
- Creating citations, either manually or by importing data from a database or other source
- Organizing citations within folders
- Integration with Microsoft Word or other word processors to streamline incorporating citations within your writing
- Ability to share citations with others and collaborate
- Storage of article PDFs for quick access to your sources
EndNote
The University provides all students and employees with a subscription to Endnote. You can download your license through the Academic Software License Center (ASLC) at https://mylicenses.bridgeport.edu.
EndNote is available as a desktop software, and citations are stored locally, but can sync to EndNote Web for online availability. You can find a guide on using EndNote at https://clarivate.libguides.com/endnote_training/home
Zotero
Zotero is a popular free option for citation management, which is available as a desktop software, a web version, and a mobile app. There are extensions available for Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.
Download Zotero at https://www.zotero.org/
Find a guide on using Zotero or post questions and problems to the Forum at https://www.zotero.org/support/
Mendeley
Mendeley is another free alternative for citation management. It is available as both a desktop software and web version, with extensions available for all major browsers.
Download Mendeley at https://www.mendeley.com/
Find a guide to using Mendeley at https://www.mendeley.com/guides
How can I access full-text journal articles once I’ve graduated?
While the Wahlstrom Library’s licenses do not permit us to give electronic resource access to anyone who is not a current student or employee of the University of Bridgeport, there are options for obtaining full text articles and resources after graduation.
Workplace access
This is, obviously, the best-case scenario – if your workplace has its own institutional licenses and offers access to electronic resources, you should be able to obtain the type of full text resources you need to perform your job duties.
Statewide database access in your community
Some states (though not all) have a State Library or other group which may participate in a consortial buying arrangement whereupon they may offer certain databases/journals free of charge to all state residents who have a valid library card. For example, the Wahlstrom Library has access to several databases offered by the Connecticut State Library.
Check with your home state to see if this service is offered. If so, the information should be available via your local library.
Interlibrary Loan in your community
Every library has the ability to participate in Interlibrary Loan systems – policies, and costs to the patron (if any) will vary. Contact your local library to inquire about their Interlibrary Loan policies, and you may be able to use this route to obtain books and journals or articles.
Walk-in site access to other colleges/university’s resources
Though we are unable to offer this with our licenses, some colleges and universities will allow people who are not students or employees to walk into the library and access electronic resources while there. Check with local institutions to see if they allow this access.
Health Science Libraries
Health science professionals who find their medical literature via Pubmed can often order articles using a local health science library for interlibrary loan for a fee. Contact the National Library of Medicine or the National Institute of Health to find out what library near you would offer this service.
Commercial Subscription & Pay-Per-View (PPV) Services
DeepDyve is a company which offers both subscription plans and pay-per-view options to buy access to research articles.
Ingenta Connect offers a pay-per-view service for researchers to gain access to articles.