University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Division of Academic Affairs

Frederick Douglass Library

Using Digital Dissertations through Research Port

What are Digital Dissertations?

Digital Dissertations are an online database that provides points of access to dissertations and master theses published in the United States at over 1,000 institutions. Coverage of dissertations began in 1861 and 1980 for master theses. In addition, Digital Dissertations includes the full text for over 450,000 dissertations, since 1997.

How is it accessed?

To access Digital Dissertations, follow the directions below:

From Library's homepage, click on Off Campus Access via Research Port.
Enter the barcode number from the bottom or your registered UMES ID, your last name, and select the appropriate institution. Next, click on the 'log in' button.
Change from "Find Databases" to By Database Name
Type in the database name (Digital Dissertations). Then click on the "go" button. It is also possible to type part of the database title.
Click on the database title.
Click on the enter button to enter Digital Dissertations.

How is Digital Dissertations searched?

Enter your search terms into the search boxes, then click on the search button. Your search and the number of results will be presented in the result sets window. You can then view that result set or enter a new search.

NOTE: If there are too many results, the database will ask you to narrow your search

If the document is available in full text, you will see the PDF icon. Click on the "Free Download" button and follow the directions for retrieving the full text. If the full text is not available, then you may request the dissertation via Inter Library Loan (ILL).

What is ILL?

InterLibrary Loan (ILL)—any other materials, including non-circulating books at other USM campuses, books not available in any USM library, videotapes, conference proceedings, microforms, dissertations and theses (all of the above must be returned), and photocopies of articles from periodicals, conferences and books not held in the UMES Library (photocopies may be kept). These are requested through the Interlibrary Loan department. Items available in the UMES Library will not be ordered, even if they are non-circulating. Online request forms are available in MdUSA, FirstSearch, EBSCO, Cambridge and certain other databases. Citations can be emailed to illbox@mail.umes.edu. Paper forms are available at the ILL desk in the Library. Contact the ILL Department for help.

How much does it cost?
The Library does not charge a fee for ILL. Other institutions may charge fees for delivering an Inter Library Loan item or photocopy. The requester is responsible for all fees, however, no item will be ordered for cost without specific permission. The requester is responsible for all overdue fines, lost or damaged book fines, and all other expenses charged to the Frederick Douglass Library by the lending library except standard postal delivery charges.

How do I get more help?
If you need additional assistance using Research Port, please consult with a Reference Librarian. Or you may use "Ask a Librarian" e-mail reference service available at the Frederick Douglass Library.

TBW/digitaldissertations/FEB 2005