where to search for thesis

Librarians/Admins

• EBSCOhost Collection Manager
• EBSCO Experience Manager
• EBSCO Connect
• Start your research
• EBSCO Mobile App

Clinical Decisions Users

• DynaMed Decisions
• Dynamic Health
• Waiting Rooms
• NoveList Blog

EBSCO Open Dissertations

EBSCO Open Dissertations makes electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) more accessible to researchers worldwide. The free portal is designed to benefit universities and their students and make ETDs more discoverable. 

Increasing Discovery & Usage of ETD Research

EBSCO Open Dissertations is a collaboration between EBSCO and BiblioLabs to increase traffic and discoverability of ETD research. You can join the movement and add your theses and dissertations to the database, making them freely available to researchers everywhere while increasing traffic to your institutional repository. 

EBSCO Open Dissertations extends the work started in 2014, when EBSCO and the H.W. Wilson Foundation created American Doctoral Dissertations which contained indexing from the H.W. Wilson print publication, Doctoral Dissertations Accepted by American Universities, 1933-1955. In 2015, the H.W. Wilson Foundation agreed to support the expansion of the scope of the American Doctoral Dissertations database to include records for dissertations and theses from 1955 to the present.

How Does EBSCO Open Dissertations Work?

Your ETD metadata is harvested via OAI and integrated into EBSCO’s platform, where pointers send traffic to your IR.

EBSCO integrates this data into their current subscriber environments and makes the data available on the open web via opendissertations.org .

You might also be interested in:

Global ETD Search

Search the 6,478,696 electronic theses and dissertations contained in the NDLTD archive:

The archive supports advanced filtering and boolean search.

How to find resources by format

Why use a dissertation or a thesis.

A dissertation is the final large research paper, based on original research, for many disciplines to be able to complete a PhD degree. The thesis is the same idea but for a masters degree.

They are often considered scholarly sources since they are closely supervised by a committee, are directed at an academic audience, are extensively researched, follow research methodology, and are cited in other scholarly work. Often the research is newer or answering questions that are more recent, and can help push scholarship in new directions. 

Search for dissertations and theses

Locating dissertations and theses.

The Proquest Dissertations and Theses Global database includes doctoral dissertations and selected masters theses from major universities worldwide.

• Searchable by subject, author, advisor, title, school, date, etc.
• More information about full text access and requesting through Interlibrary Loan

NDLTD – Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations provides free online access to a over a million theses and dissertations from all over the world.

WorldCat Dissertations and Theses searches library catalogs from across the U.S. and worldwide.

Locating University of Minnesota Dissertations and Theses

Use  Libraries search  and search by title or author and add the word "thesis" in the search box. Write down the library and call number and find it on the shelf. They can be checked out.

Check the  University Digital Conservancy  for online access to dissertations and theses from 2007 to present as well as historic, scanned theses from 1887-1923.

Other Sources for Dissertations and Theses

• Center for Research Libraries
• DART-Europe E-Thesis Portal
• Theses Canada
• Ethos (Great Britain)
• Australasian Digital Theses in Trove
• DiVA (Sweden)
• E-Thesis at the University of Helsinki
• DissOnline (Germany)
• List of libraries worldwide - to search for a thesis when you know the institution and cannot find in the larger collections

University of Minnesota Dissertations and Theses FAQs

What dissertations and theses are available.

With minor exceptions, all doctoral dissertations and all "Plan A" master's theses accepted by the University of Minnesota are available in the University Libraries system. In some cases (see below) only a non-circulating copy in University Archives exists, but for doctoral dissertations from 1940 to date, and for master's theses from 1925 to date, a circulating copy should almost always be available.

"Plan B" papers, accepted in the place of a thesis in many master's degree programs, are not received by the University Libraries and are generally not available. (The only real exceptions are a number of old library school Plan B papers on publishing history, which have been separately cataloged.) In a few cases individual departments may have maintained files of such papers.

In what libraries are U of M dissertations and theses located?

Circulating copies of doctoral dissertations:.

• Use Libraries Search to look for the author or title of the work desired to determine location and call number of a specific dissertation. Circulating copies of U of M doctoral dissertations can be in one of several locations in the library system, depending upon the date and the department for which the dissertation was done. The following are the general rules:
• Dissertations prior to 1940 Circulating copies of U of M dissertations prior to 1940 do not exist (with rare exceptions): for these, only the archival copy (see below) is available. Also, most dissertations prior to 1940 are not cataloged in MNCAT and can only be identified by the departmental listings described below.  
• Dissertations from 1940-1979 Circulating copies of U of M dissertations from 1940 to 1979 will in most cases be held within the Elmer L. Andersen Library, with three major classes of exceptions: dissertations accepted by biological, medical, and related departments are housed in the Health Science Library; science/engineering dissertations from 1970 to date will be located in the Science and Engineering Library (in Walter); and dissertations accepted by agricultural and related departments are available at the Magrath Library or one of the other libraries on the St. Paul campus (the Magrath Library maintains records of locations for such dissertations).  
• Dissertations from 1980-date Circulating copies of U of M dissertations from 1980 to date at present may be located either in Wilson Library (see below) or in storage; consult Libraries Search for location of specific items. Again, exceptions noted above apply here also; dissertations in their respective departments will instead be in Health Science Library or in one of the St. Paul campus libraries.

Circulating copies of master's theses:

• Theses prior to 1925 Circulating copies of U of M master's theses prior to 1925 do not exist (with rare exceptions); for these, only the archival copy (see below) is available.  
• Theses from 1925-1996 Circulating copies of U of M master's theses from 1925 to 1996 may be held in storage; consult Libraries search in specific instances. Once again, there are exceptions and theses in their respective departments will be housed in the Health Science Library or in one of the St. Paul campus libraries.  
• Theses from 1997-date Circulating copies of U of M master's theses from 1997 to date will be located in Wilson Library (see below), except for the same exceptions for Health Science  and St. Paul theses. There is also an exception to the exception: MHA (Masters in Health Administration) theses through 1998 are in the Health Science Library, but those from 1999 on are in Wilson Library.

Archival copies (non-circulating)

Archival (non-circulating) copies of virtually all U of M doctoral dissertations from 1888-1952, and of U of M master's theses from all years up to the present, are maintained by University Archives (located in the Elmer L. Andersen Library). These copies must be consulted on the premises, and it is highly recommended for the present that users make an appointment in advance to ensure that the desired works can be retrieved for them from storage. For dissertations accepted prior to 1940 and for master's theses accepted prior to 1925, University Archives is generally the only option (e.g., there usually will be no circulating copy). Archival copies of U of M doctoral dissertations from 1953 to the present are maintained by Bell and Howell Corporation (formerly University Microfilms Inc.), which produces print or filmed copies from our originals upon request. (There are a very few post-1952 U of M dissertations not available from Bell and Howell; these include such things as music manuscripts and works with color illustrations or extremely large pages that will not photocopy well; in these few cases, our archival copy is retained in University Archives.)

Where is a specific dissertation of thesis located?

To locate a specific dissertation or thesis it is necessary to have its call number. Use Libraries Search for the author or title of the item, just as you would for any other book. Depending on date of acceptance and cataloging, a typical call number for such materials should look something like one of the following:

Dissertations: Plan"A" Theses MnU-D or 378.7M66 MnU-M or 378.7M66 78-342 ODR7617 83-67 OL6156 Libraries Search will also tell the library location (MLAC, Health Science Library, Magrath or another St. Paul campus library, Science and Engineering, Business Reference, Wilson Annex or Wilson Library). Those doctoral dissertations still in Wilson Library (which in all cases should be 1980 or later and will have "MnU-D" numbers) are located in the central section of the third floor. Those master's theses in Wilson (which in all cases will be 1997 or later and will have "MnU-M" numbers) are also located in the central section of the third floor. Both dissertations and theses circulate and can be checked out, like any other books, at the Wilson Circulation desk on the first floor.

How can dissertations and theses accepted by a specific department be located?

Wilson Library contains a series of bound and loose-leaf notebooks, arranged by department and within each department by date, listing dissertations and theses. Information given for each entry includes name of author, title, and date (but not call number, which must be looked up individually). These notebooks are no longer current, but they do cover listings by department from the nineteenth century up to approximately 1992. Many pre-1940 U of M dissertations and pre-1925 U of M master's theses are not cataloged (and exist only as archival copies). Such dissertations can be identified only with these volumes. The books and notebooks are shelved in the general collection under these call numbers: Wilson Ref LD3337 .A5 and Wilson Ref quarto LD3337 .U9x. Major departments of individual degree candidates are also listed under their names in the GRADUATE SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT programs of the U of M, available in University Archives and (for recent years) also in Wilson stacks (LD3361 .U55x).

• << Previous: Dictionaries and encyclopedias
• Next: E-books >>

• Enroll & Pay

Open Access Theses and Dissertations (OATD)

OATD.org provides open access graduate theses and dissertations published around the world. Metadata (information about the theses) comes from over 1100 colleges, universities, and research institutions. OATD currently indexes 6,654,285 theses and dissertations.

EBSCO Open Dissertations

Search millions of electronic theses and dissertations (etds).

With EBSCO Open Dissertations, institutions and students are offered an innovative approach to driving additional traffic to ETDs in institutional repositories. Our goal is to help make their students’ theses and dissertations as widely visible and cited as possible.

This approach extends the work started in 2014, when EBSCO and the H.W. Wilson Foundation created American Doctoral Dissertations which contained indexing from the H.W. Wilson print publication, Doctoral Dissertations Accepted by American Universities, 1933-1955. In 2015, the H.W. Wilson Foundation agreed to support the expansion of the scope of the American Doctoral Dissertations database to include records for dissertations and theses from 1955 to the present.

Get involved in the EBSCO Open Dissertations project and make your electronic theses and dissertations freely available to researchers everywhere. Please contact Margaret Richter for more information.

Reference management. Clean and simple.

The top list of academic search engines

1. Google Scholar

4. science.gov, 5. semantic scholar, 6. baidu scholar, get the most out of academic search engines, frequently asked questions about academic search engines, related articles.

Academic search engines have become the number one resource to turn to in order to find research papers and other scholarly sources. While classic academic databases like Web of Science and Scopus are locked behind paywalls, Google Scholar and others can be accessed free of charge. In order to help you get your research done fast, we have compiled the top list of free academic search engines.

Google Scholar is the clear number one when it comes to academic search engines. It's the power of Google searches applied to research papers and patents. It not only lets you find research papers for all academic disciplines for free but also often provides links to full-text PDF files.

• Coverage: approx. 200 million articles
• Abstracts: only a snippet of the abstract is available
• Related articles: ✔
• References: ✔
• Cited by: ✔
• Links to full text: ✔
• Export formats: APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, Vancouver, RIS, BibTeX

BASE is hosted at Bielefeld University in Germany. That is also where its name stems from (Bielefeld Academic Search Engine).

• Coverage: approx. 136 million articles (contains duplicates)
• Abstracts: ✔
• Related articles: ✘
• References: ✘
• Cited by: ✘
• Export formats: RIS, BibTeX

CORE is an academic search engine dedicated to open-access research papers. For each search result, a link to the full-text PDF or full-text web page is provided.

• Coverage: approx. 136 million articles
• Links to full text: ✔ (all articles in CORE are open access)
• Export formats: BibTeX

Science.gov is a fantastic resource as it bundles and offers free access to search results from more than 15 U.S. federal agencies. There is no need anymore to query all those resources separately!

• Coverage: approx. 200 million articles and reports
• Links to full text: ✔ (available for some databases)
• Export formats: APA, MLA, RIS, BibTeX (available for some databases)

Semantic Scholar is the new kid on the block. Its mission is to provide more relevant and impactful search results using AI-powered algorithms that find hidden connections and links between research topics.

• Coverage: approx. 40 million articles
• Export formats: APA, MLA, Chicago, BibTeX

Although Baidu Scholar's interface is in Chinese, its index contains research papers in English as well as Chinese.

• Coverage: no detailed statistics available, approx. 100 million articles
• Abstracts: only snippets of the abstract are available
• Export formats: APA, MLA, RIS, BibTeX

RefSeek searches more than one billion documents from academic and organizational websites. Its clean interface makes it especially easy to use for students and new researchers.

• Coverage: no detailed statistics available, approx. 1 billion documents
• Abstracts: only snippets of the article are available
• Export formats: not available

Consider using a reference manager like Paperpile to save, organize, and cite your references. Paperpile integrates with Google Scholar and many popular databases, so you can save references and PDFs directly to your library using the Paperpile buttons:

Google Scholar is an academic search engine, and it is the clear number one when it comes to academic search engines. It's the power of Google searches applied to research papers and patents. It not only let's you find research papers for all academic disciplines for free, but also often provides links to full text PDF file.

Semantic Scholar is a free, AI-powered research tool for scientific literature developed at the Allen Institute for AI. Sematic Scholar was publicly released in 2015 and uses advances in natural language processing to provide summaries for scholarly papers.

BASE , as its name suggest is an academic search engine. It is hosted at Bielefeld University in Germany and that's where it name stems from (Bielefeld Academic Search Engine).

CORE is an academic search engine dedicated to open access research papers. For each search result a link to the full text PDF or full text web page is provided.

Science.gov is a fantastic resource as it bundles and offers free access to search results from more than 15 U.S. federal agencies. There is no need any more to query all those resources separately!

• msstate.edu
• MSU Directory

Search for Theses and Dissertations

Theses and dissertations written by others in your field or with your advisors can provide you with helpful formatting examples.

Online Catalog

Search for theses and dissertations in print and electronic formats.

Scholars Junction

MSU's institutional repository houses theses and dissertations by MSU students.

Find theses and dissertations from many institutions. Full-text from 1997-present; abstracts available for documents published before 1997.

Interlibrary Loan

When searching ProQuest, if your only option for access is to order a copy of a document, try requesting it through inter-library loan first; it may be available free of charge.

EBSCO Open Dissertations

EBSCO Open Dissertations is a free database with records for more than 1.4 million electronic theses and dissertations from more than 320 universities around the world.

WorldCat Dissertations and Theses

This database provides fast and convenient access to the dissertations and theses available in OCLC member libraries. Many theses are available electronically, at no charge, directly from the publishing institution.

Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD)

Search the 6,175,364 electronic theses and dissertations contained in the NDLTD archive.

Service Details

How to access.

Search the MSU repository at Scholars Junction or the worldwide database at ProQuest.

Related Locations

Comparative Literature

• Find Articles
• Find Background Information
• Find Reviews
• Find Dissertations & Theses
• Research National Literatures

Get Answers

U.S. Dissertations & Theses

• ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global This link opens in a new window ProQuest database providing the electronic equivalent of Dissertation Abstracts International. Beginning with the first U.S. dissertation in 1861, represents the work of authors from North American and European universities on a full range of academic subjects. Indexes and provides access to Georgetown-authored theses and dissertations. more... less... Includes abstracts for doctoral dissertations beginning July 1980 and for Master's theses beginning Spring 1988. Citations for dissertations published from 1980 forward include 350-word abstracts. Citations for Master's theses from 1988 forward include 150-word abstracts. Most dissertations published since 1997, and some from prior years, are available for free download; others may be requested via Interlibrary Loan.
• Dissertations & Theses (Georgetown-authored) This link opens in a new window Recent online theses and dissertations from selected Georgetown programs and departments. For access to Georgetown theses and dissertations authored prior to 2006, see the Georgetown catalog or refer to ProQuest's Dissertations & Theses database. Print copies of disserations may be requested using the Library's Library Use Only Materials Request. .
• Open Access Theses and Dissertations (OATD) This link opens in a new window Open Access Theses and Dissertations (OATD) provides access to more than 1.8 million open-access theses and dissertations from more than 800 colleges, universities, and research institutions worldwide. Note that OATD accesses only open-access theses and dissertations, so ProQuest Dissertations & Theses is a larger database.

International Dissertations & Theses

• EThoS: Electronic Theses Online This link opens in a new window The British Library's database of digitized theses from UK higher education institutions. Free registration and login is required.
• Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese Theses Different Theses portals listed on the Spanish and Portuguese Research Guide
• National Library of Australia The National Library of Australia contains records from the ceased Australasian Digital Theses (ADT) database, as well as new Australian theses
• Open Access Theses & Dissertations The number of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) openly available via institutional repositories has grown dramatically in recent years, increasing the need for a centralized service to search for this unique material. Open Access Theses and Dissertations (OATD), launched in early 2013, is on the path to fulfill that need. Not as large as the commercial subscription service ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Database, OATD distinguishes itself by providing access to more than 1.6 million open-access theses and dissertations freely available from over 800 institutions worldwide. The simplified interface allows searching across all fields or, in advanced search, by specific field (Title, Author Name, Abstract, University/Publisher, or Subject/Keywords). In addition, users may limit searches to a specific language or date range. Search results may be sorted by relevance, author, university, or date. more... less... Depending on the search, results may be further limited by date, university, department, degree, level (e.g., doctoral vs. master's), or language. The number of hits for entries under each limit is conveniently displayed in the left column. Links to the full text residing on the home institution's site are provided for each record. In many instances, several pages of the thesis or dissertation are available for viewing. Though other sites cover similar material, e.g., PQDT Open http://pqdtopen.proquest.com and Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, OATD focuses exclusively on open-access ETDs, and serves as an excellent resource for students and researchers. Its usefulness will continue to increase as more ETDs are made freely available
• Theses Canada Portal This link opens in a new window Index of Canadian masters theses and doctoral dissertations from 1965-present. Full text available from 1998 through August 31, 2002.
• Theses.fr This link opens in a new window Provides access to more than 5000 theses on all subjects submitted in French to universities around the world, since 2006. Most are digitized and available in full text.
• << Previous: Find Reviews
• Next: Research National Literatures >>
• Last Updated: Dec 6, 2023 10:15 AM
• URL: https://guides.library.georgetown.edu/complit

• Harvard Library
• Research Guides
• Faculty of Arts & Sciences Libraries

Computer Science Library Research Guide

Find dissertations and theses.

• Get Started
• How to get the full-text
• What is Peer Review?
• Find Books in the SEC Library This link opens in a new window
• Find Conference Proceedings
• Find Patents This link opens in a new window
• Find Standards
• Find Technical Reports
• Find Videos
• Ask a Librarian This link opens in a new window

Engineering Librarian

How to search for Harvard dissertations

• DASH , Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard, is the university's central, open-access repository for the scholarly output of faculty and the broader research community at Harvard.  Most Ph.D. dissertations submitted from  March 2012 forward  are available online in DASH.
• Check HOLLIS, the Library Catalog, and refine your results by using the   Advanced Search   and limiting Resource  Type   to Dissertations
• Search the database  ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Don't hesitate to  Ask a Librarian  for assistance.

How to search for Non-Harvard dissertations

Library Database:

• ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global

Free Resources:

• Many  universities  provide full-text access to their dissertations via a digital repository.  If you know the title of a particular dissertation or thesis, try doing a Google search.  

Related Sites

• Formatting Your Dissertation - GSAS
• Ph.D. Dissertation Submission  - FAS
• Empowering Students Before you Sign that Contract!  - Copyright at Harvard Library

Select Library Titles

• << Previous: Find Conference Proceedings
• Next: Find Patents >>
• Last Updated: Feb 27, 2024 1:52 PM
• URL: https://guides.library.harvard.edu/cs

Harvard University Digital Accessibility Policy

Thesis and Dissertation Guide

• Starting your Dissertation/Thesis
• Dissertation/Thesis Resources
• Books That May Help
• Literature Reviews
• Annotated Bibliography
• We Don't Have It? / Interlibrary Loan
• Online Learning Study Tips
• Search Strategy
• Advanced Search Techniques
• Kemp Library Video Tutorials
• Find Articles / Journals / Databases
• What are...
• Database Video Tutorials
• Peer Reviewed
• How to confirm and cite peer review
• Primary/Secondary Sources
• Other Types of Sources (i.e. Newspapers)
• Legal Research Resources
• Evidence Based Practice/Appraisal Resources

Google Scholar

• Website Evaluation
• Internet Searching
• Apps You Didn't Know You Needed
• Who is citing me?
• Questions After Hours
• ESU Thesis Submission
• ESU Dissertation Submission
• How to Integrate
• How to Use It

What is Google Scholar and Why Should You Care?

Google Scholar is a special division of Google that searches for academic content. It is not as robust as Google, and as such it can be harder to search. However, if you are looking for a specific article it is a fantastic resource for finding out if you can access it through your library or if it's available for free.

Below are a few videos on how to use Google Scholar (you can skip the intros if you want) that will show you tips and tricks on how to best use Google Scholar.

Did you know that you can use Google Scholar in addition to Primo to help search Kemp library materials? You just have to add us to your Google Scholar and our results will show up in your searches showing you what you have access to as an ESU community member!

• Go to  Google Scholar 
• Make sure you're logged into your Google Account -  you'll see your initials or your icon in the top right hand corner of the screen if you're logged in. 
• Click on  Settings  (either from the top of the Scholar home page, or from the drop-down on the right hand side of the results page).

Choose  Library Links .

Type ‘East Stroudsburg University’ into the search box.

Click the boxes next to “ESU” and "Kemp Library"

Click  Save .

If you have other institutions you're affilitated with, or ResearchGate, you can add them too!

Getting to Google Scholar Settings:

The Library Link Screen: Search, Select and Save!

What your search results will look like: 

 Add / Reorder  

Databases have more sophisticated search features than Google Scholar , but if you have a one or two word topic Google Scholar can be useful.  You can also try using the Advanced Search in Google Scholar (see the first video below). 

However, if you're having trouble finding something specific, i.e. a specific article, try Google Scholar. For example you want " Game of Thrones and Graffiti" and you don't see it in a database, search the title of the article in Google Scholar (here you'd search "Game of Thrones and Graffiti"). You may find it freely available OR discover it is available through the library, but in a database you didn't look at. 

If we don't have it and you can't access it on Google Scholar, you can always request it via interlibrary loan .

"If Google Scholar isn’t turning up what you need, try an open Google search with the article title in quotes, and type the added filter “filetype:pdf”. This scours the open web for papers hosted somewhere, by someone, in PDF format. Google Books provides limited preview access to many copyrighted books. Other alternate services include  SemanticScholar ,  Microsoft Academic ,  Dimensions , or  GetTheResearch . Here too there are subject-specific portals like  EconBiz  or the  Virtual Health Library , some of which offer multilingual search options." -  Paragraph taken from A Wikipedia Librarian. 

The other services like Microsoft Academic mentioned above are also useful when looking for freely available journal article and research! Don't forget to cite everything you use in your paper/project/presentation/etc. 

Google Scholar Videos

• << Previous: Evidence Based Practice/Appraisal Resources
• Next: Website Evaluation >>
• Last Updated: Apr 29, 2024 12:07 PM
• URL: https://esu.libguides.com/thesis

While Sandel argues that pursuing perfection through genetic engineering would decrease our sense of humility, he claims that the sense of solidarity we would lose is also important.

This thesis summarizes several points in Sandel’s argument, but it does not make a claim about how we should understand his argument. A reader who read Sandel’s argument would not also need to read an essay based on this descriptive thesis.  

Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence) 

Michael Sandel’s arguments about genetic engineering do not take into consideration all the relevant issues.

This is an arguable claim because it would be possible to argue against it by saying that Michael Sandel’s arguments do take all of the relevant issues into consideration. But the claim is too broad. Because the thesis does not specify which “issues” it is focused on—or why it matters if they are considered—readers won’t know what the rest of the essay will argue, and the writer won’t know what to focus on. If there is a particular issue that Sandel does not address, then a more specific version of the thesis would include that issue—hand an explanation of why it is important.  

Arguable thesis with analytical claim 

While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake” (54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well” (51) is less convincing.

This is an arguable analytical claim. To argue for this claim, the essay writer will need to show how evidence from the article itself points to this interpretation. It’s also a reasonable scope for a thesis because it can be supported with evidence available in the text and is neither too broad nor too narrow.  

Arguable thesis with normative claim 

Given Sandel’s argument against genetic enhancement, we should not allow parents to decide on using Human Growth Hormone for their children.

This thesis tells us what we should do about a particular issue discussed in Sandel’s article, but it does not tell us how we should understand Sandel’s argument.  

Questions to ask about your thesis 

• Is the thesis truly arguable? Does it speak to a genuine dilemma in the source, or would most readers automatically agree with it?  
• Is the thesis too obvious? Again, would most or all readers agree with it without needing to see your argument?  
• Is the thesis complex enough to require a whole essay's worth of argument?  
• Is the thesis supportable with evidence from the text rather than with generalizations or outside research?  
• Would anyone want to read a paper in which this thesis was developed? That is, can you explain what this paper is adding to our understanding of a problem, question, or topic?
• picture_as_pdf Thesis

• Research Guides
• CUNY Graduate Center's Mina Rees Library

Dissertations and Theses

• Find Dissertations
• About the Dissertation Office
• Graduation Dates
• Deposit Procedure
• Format Requirements
• Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED)
• Master's Exit Survey
• Citation Styles
• Digital Dissertations
• Find CUNY Dissertations

Finding Dissertations

There is no single source for a comprehensive dissertation search. WorldCat  and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global include most American dissertations. Dissertations @ The Center for Research Libraries lends non-American dissertations to member borrowers. Library catalogs and specialized repositories contain other titles. Request any dissertation through Interlibrary Loan . Though not every title is available through ILL, it is worth a try.

Dissertation Databases & Repositories

• Graduate Center Dissertations in Academic Works, 2014-present As of 2014, all Graduate Center dissertations, theses, and capstone projects are posted to CUNY Academic Works. Some are immediately available to read and download, and some become available after an embargo period set by the author.

• U.S. and international legal and government resources
• ADT Australian Digital Theses Program
• Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da USP Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations of the University of São Paulo
• Colección de Tesis Digitales Universidad de las Américas Puebla Tesis digitales Universidad de las Américas, Puebla, México
• Danish Royal Library
• DART Europe E-theses Europe except France
• Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Hochschulschriften in the German National Library
• Dissonline.de Full-text dissertations from the German and Swiss National Libraries
• E-theses University of Helsinki, Finland dissertations; all free full-text
• EThOS British Library Electronic Theses Online Searches 250,000+ theses, many available in full text with a free online account. Theses not available for immediate download take 30 days to digitize. Order via CUNY Graduate Center interlibrary loan to cover any digitization fees. Most UK universities participate except Oxford, Cambridge, and Univ of Southampton.
• JAIRO: Japanese Institutional Respositories Online Open access; full-text
• NARCIS Dissertations from all Dutch Universities
• National Library of Norway
• Nauka Polska Poland's dissertation repository
• Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations Global ETD Search NDLTD's Global ETD Search is a free service that allows researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations based on keyword, date, institution, language and subject.
• OAIster from open access digital archive world-wide
• Open Access Theses and Dissertations Metadata from over 1100 institutions, indexes over 2.5 million theses and dissertations.
• Osterreichischen Bibliothekenverbundes Austrian Hochschulschriften
• Russian State Library Digital Library Dissertations Over 650,000 free, full-text of dissertations from 1998
• Systeme Universitaire de Documentation French science theses from 1972; humanities, social sciences, law and health from 1983
• Tesi-online Italian university PhD theses; free full-text
• Theses.fr expanding index of French theses
• Theses Canada Canadian universities voluntarily submit approved theses and dissertation to Theses Canada
• Trove Australian university digital and print theses

Dissertation Indexes (Print & Microformat)

Use these to supplement searches in online databases. Historical information in print indexes is sometimes more complete (i.e. abstracts appear in print before 1980 in Dissertation Abstracts International, but are not currently online). Print indexes may contain earlier works not included in online databases.

• American Doctoral Dissertations 1933-1955 Digitized version of the print index, "Doctoral Dissertations Accepted by American Universities." Includes nearly 100,000 citations.
• Comprehensive Dissertation Index 1861 - 1972 37 volumes divided by subject with author index. Each subject has keyword index. Bibliographic citations include title, author, degree, year, institution. No abstracts. JFF 98-1512 in the NYPL Schwarzman Main Reading Room
• Deutsche Bibliographie: Hochschulschriften-Verzeichnis 1972 - 1990 German dissertations NYPL OFFSITE JFM 93-99
• Dissertation Abstracts 1938-1966 Index with abstracts to American doctoral dissertations. NYPL JFM 74-61 OFFSITE
• Dissertation Abstracts International, 1969 - These volumes succeed Dissertation Abstracts. Includes title, author, degree, institution, year, pages, and an abstract. Author and keyword indexes. Includes abstracts for pre-1980 works not abstracted in online version. Graduate Center 1970-1984 MIC-Per 164 NYPL Schwarzman Main Reading Room A: Humanities and Social Sciences JFM 74 - 62 B: Sciences and Engineering JFM 74 - 34 C: International/European 1977 - 2003 OFFSITE
• Dissertation Abstracts International 1966 - 1969 Ser A: Humanities and Social Sciences JFM 74 - 63 OFFSITE Ser B: Sciences and Engineering JFM 74 - 60 OFFSITE
• Dissertation Abstracts International Retrospective Index 1938 - 1969 Indexes Dissertation abstracts (v.1-26) and Dissertation Abstracts International (v.27-29); 1933 - 1969. NYPL: Offsite; request in avance.
• Dissertation Abstracts [Microfilm] 1952-1964 MIC-Per 164 at the Graduate Center Library
• Index to theses accepted for higher degrees by the universities of Great Britain and Ireland and the Council for National Academic Awards 1950 - 1985 NYPL OFFSITE JFM 88-379
• Jahresverzeichnis der Deutschen Hochschulschriften, 1936 - 1964 German dissertations NYPL OFFSITE L-10 9257
• Microfilm Abstracts 1938-1951 Graduate Center MIC-Per 164

CRL Dissertations

Based in Chicago, the Center for Research Libraries was founded in 1948 by a consortium of Midwestern universities seeking to pool lesser-used resources. The collection holds over 800,000 dissertations from 90+ universities in Germany (66%), Netherlands (2%), France (16%), Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the UK; also from Latin America, South America, and Africa. What CRL does not own, it will acquire for interlibrary loan to Graduate Center affiliates.

British Dissertations

The Center for Research Libraries reviews all Grad Center ILL requests for loan or demand purchase of UK dissertations. If CRL finds the title accessible through EThOS or that it can be digitized free of charge (in approx 30 days), CRL will notify the requesting institution of its availability via the EThOS online venue. CRL will also place orders via EThOS and alert requestors when a dissertation is available for download. If EThOS requires a fee for digitization, CRL will place the order on behalf of the requesting institution and pay for digitization.

• << Previous: Digital Dissertations
• Next: Find CUNY Dissertations >>
• Last Updated: Apr 10, 2024 12:38 PM
• URL: https://libguides.gc.cuny.edu/dissertations

• language Search for " " in the Library Website Search the library website
• menu_book Search for " " in Library Search Search Library Search
• The University of Manchester Library
• Search theses

Postgraduate research theses contain ‘a wealth of data… which can shed light on very interesting areas’ (The British Library, 2014).

You can find theses submitted by University of Manchester postgraduate research students from the late 19th Century to the present day using the Library Search box above. Or try the Advanced Search for more options (select 'Theses' from the drop-down list for ‘Material type’).

Follow the links below for more information about accessing theses submitted by Manchester researchers, as well as theses from authors all over the world.

Access to British Library EThOS - March 2024

Access to British Library EThOS  is currently unavailable due to a major technical outage affecting several of their online services.

View news and updates on the British Library website

Manchester eTheses

Doctoral theses submitted from 2010 onwards which are currently Open Access are available to view via the University’s Research Explorer.

eTheses submission

Supporting Postgraduate Research Students, Supervisors and Administrators with the submission of electronic theses.

Search ProQuest for digitised pre-2010 Manchester theses, as well as over four million theses and dissertations from institutions around the world.

Theses Library Guide

Consult our Theses Library Guide for guidance on how to locate and access theses from UK and International institutions.

• Access resources
• Search Special Collections
• Search books
• Search e-books
• Search databases
• Search journal articles
• Subject guides
• Search digital collections
• Search reading lists
• How to access Library Electronic Resources
• Resources for alumni and visitors

• Main Library
• Digital Fabrication Lab
• Data Visualization Lab
• Business Learning Center
• Klai Juba Wald Architectural Studies Library
• NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health Library
• Research Assistance
• Special Collections
• Digital Collections
• Collection Development Policy
• Course Reserves
• Request Library Instruction
• Main Library Services
• Alumni & Community
• Academic Support Services in the Library
• Libraries Resources for Employees
• Book Equipment or Study Rooms
• Librarians by Academic Subject
• Germans from Russia Heritage Collection
• NDSU Archives
• Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan 2022-2024
• Staff Directory
• Floor Plans
• The Libraries Magazine
• Accommodations for People with Disabilities
• Annual Report
• Donate to the Libraries
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Faculty Senate Library Committee
• Undergraduate Research Award

Use the Dissertations & Theses database to search a collection of dissertations and theses from around the world, spanning from 1861 to the present. It includes full text for most of the dissertations added since 1997. When full text is not provided, you can request a copy using interlibrary loan.

Accessing the Database

• Click on Databases above the search box on the homepage of the library
• Click on Dissertations and Theses
• Login using your NDSU credentials (NOT your NDUS)

Search by Topic or Title

Use the  Basic Search  to find dissertations and theses by topic or title. For example, to find dissertations about Fusarium Head Blight, enter the keywords in the search box and click search. If you already know the title of what you are looking for, you can search using the full or partial title in quotation marks.

Search by Author, Advisor, University, or Department

Use the  Advanced Search  to find dissertations and theses by topic, title, author, advisor, university, department, and more.

For example, let’s say you know the topic of the dissertation (fusarium head blight) and the author (Puri) but not the full title or the institution. To search for it:

• Click  Advance Search
• Type the topic in the first search box and select  Anywhere  from the dropdown field to the right.
• Type the author name in the second search box and select  Author-AU  from the dropdown field to the right.
• Click the  Search  button.

Do you want to see dissertations from a specific department at North Dakota State University?

• Type the department name in the first search box and select  Department – DEP  from the dropdown to the right
• Type the university name in the second search box and select  University/Institution – SCH  from the dropdown to the right
• Click the  Search  button

Additional Tips for Searching ProQuest Databases

• Basic Search(link is external)  (ProQuest Playlist on YouTube)
• Advanced Search(link is external)  (ProQuest Playlist on YouTube)
• Search Results (link is external) (ProQuest Playlist on YouTube)
• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses: Searching Titles and Languages(link is external)  module (or text  handout(link is external) )
• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses: Searching Names(link is external)  module (or text  handout(link is external) )
• ProQuest Platform Search Tips

NDSU Theses & Dissertations

Here are some additional options for finding NDSU dissertations and theses.

To access this database:

Use the basic or advanced search to search by topic or title. To search by a specific department:

The NDSU Repository provides access to research from NDSU faculty, staff, and students, including theses, dissertations, papers, coursework, and videos. You can go directly to the repository by going to  https://library.ndsu.edu/ir/ . Or, to access the repository from the library homepage, scroll down to  Digital Collections  and then click on  Institutional Repository.

Searching by Topic or Title

Once in the NDSU Repository, click on  NDSU Theses & Dissertations.  You can use the search box on this page to search for theses and dissertations by topic, title, author, or advisor.

To Browse or Search by Department

Once in the NDSU Repository, click on  NDSU These & Dissertations.  Click on the college or unit in which the department falls. Click on the department. You can browse by issue date (i.e. publication date), author name, title, or subject. Or use the search box to search papers from that department.

Couldn't find the NDSU thesis or dissertation in the Dissertations and Theses databases, the NDSU Repository, or elsewhere online? Check if the library has a print copy. We have print theses and dissertations up to 2011/2012.

Search The Site

Find Your Librarian  

Phone:  Circulation:  (701) 231-8888 Reference:  (701) 231-8888 Administration:  (701) 231-8753

Email:  Administration InterLibrary Loan (ILL)

• Online Services
• Phone/Email Directory
• Registration And Records
• Government Information
• Library DIY
• Subject and Course Guides
• Special Topics
• Collection Highlights
• Digital Horizons
• NDSU Repository (IR)
• Libraries Hours
• News & Events

• Privacy Policy

Home » Thesis – Structure, Example and Writing Guide

Thesis – Structure, Example and Writing Guide

Table of contents.

Definition:

Thesis is a scholarly document that presents a student’s original research and findings on a particular topic or question. It is usually written as a requirement for a graduate degree program and is intended to demonstrate the student’s mastery of the subject matter and their ability to conduct independent research.

History of Thesis

The concept of a thesis can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it was used as a way for students to demonstrate their knowledge of a particular subject. However, the modern form of the thesis as a scholarly document used to earn a degree is a relatively recent development.

The origin of the modern thesis can be traced back to medieval universities in Europe. During this time, students were required to present a “disputation” in which they would defend a particular thesis in front of their peers and faculty members. These disputations served as a way to demonstrate the student’s mastery of the subject matter and were often the final requirement for earning a degree.

In the 17th century, the concept of the thesis was formalized further with the creation of the modern research university. Students were now required to complete a research project and present their findings in a written document, which would serve as the basis for their degree.

The modern thesis as we know it today has evolved over time, with different disciplines and institutions adopting their own standards and formats. However, the basic elements of a thesis – original research, a clear research question, a thorough review of the literature, and a well-argued conclusion – remain the same.

Structure of Thesis

The structure of a thesis may vary slightly depending on the specific requirements of the institution, department, or field of study, but generally, it follows a specific format.

Here’s a breakdown of the structure of a thesis:

This is the first page of the thesis that includes the title of the thesis, the name of the author, the name of the institution, the department, the date, and any other relevant information required by the institution.

This is a brief summary of the thesis that provides an overview of the research question, methodology, findings, and conclusions.

This page provides a list of all the chapters and sections in the thesis and their page numbers.

Introduction

This chapter provides an overview of the research question, the context of the research, and the purpose of the study. The introduction should also outline the methodology and the scope of the research.

Literature Review

This chapter provides a critical analysis of the relevant literature on the research topic. It should demonstrate the gap in the existing knowledge and justify the need for the research.

Methodology

This chapter provides a detailed description of the research methods used to gather and analyze data. It should explain the research design, the sampling method, data collection techniques, and data analysis procedures.

This chapter presents the findings of the research. It should include tables, graphs, and charts to illustrate the results.

This chapter interprets the results and relates them to the research question. It should explain the significance of the findings and their implications for the research topic.

This chapter summarizes the key findings and the main conclusions of the research. It should also provide recommendations for future research.

This section provides a list of all the sources cited in the thesis. The citation style may vary depending on the requirements of the institution or the field of study.

This section includes any additional material that supports the research, such as raw data, survey questionnaires, or other relevant documents.

How to write Thesis

Here are some steps to help you write a thesis:

• Choose a Topic: The first step in writing a thesis is to choose a topic that interests you and is relevant to your field of study. You should also consider the scope of the topic and the availability of resources for research.
• Develop a Research Question: Once you have chosen a topic, you need to develop a research question that you will answer in your thesis. The research question should be specific, clear, and feasible.
• Conduct a Literature Review: Before you start your research, you need to conduct a literature review to identify the existing knowledge and gaps in the field. This will help you refine your research question and develop a research methodology.
• Develop a Research Methodology: Once you have refined your research question, you need to develop a research methodology that includes the research design, data collection methods, and data analysis procedures.
• Collect and Analyze Data: After developing your research methodology, you need to collect and analyze data. This may involve conducting surveys, interviews, experiments, or analyzing existing data.
• Write the Thesis: Once you have analyzed the data, you need to write the thesis. The thesis should follow a specific structure that includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and references.
• Edit and Proofread: After completing the thesis, you need to edit and proofread it carefully. You should also have someone else review it to ensure that it is clear, concise, and free of errors.
• Submit the Thesis: Finally, you need to submit the thesis to your academic advisor or committee for review and evaluation.

Example of Thesis

Example of Thesis template for Students:

Title of Thesis

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Chapter 3: Research Methodology

Chapter 4: Results

Chapter 5: Discussion

Chapter 6: Conclusion

References:

Appendices:

Note: That’s just a basic template, but it should give you an idea of the structure and content that a typical thesis might include. Be sure to consult with your department or supervisor for any specific formatting requirements they may have. Good luck with your thesis!

Application of Thesis

Thesis is an important academic document that serves several purposes. Here are some of the applications of thesis:

• Academic Requirement: A thesis is a requirement for many academic programs, especially at the graduate level. It is an essential component of the evaluation process and demonstrates the student’s ability to conduct original research and contribute to the knowledge in their field.
• Career Advancement: A thesis can also help in career advancement. Employers often value candidates who have completed a thesis as it demonstrates their research skills, critical thinking abilities, and their dedication to their field of study.
• Publication : A thesis can serve as a basis for future publications in academic journals, books, or conference proceedings. It provides the researcher with an opportunity to present their research to a wider audience and contribute to the body of knowledge in their field.
• Personal Development: Writing a thesis is a challenging task that requires time, dedication, and perseverance. It provides the student with an opportunity to develop critical thinking, research, and writing skills that are essential for their personal and professional development.
• Impact on Society: The findings of a thesis can have an impact on society by addressing important issues, providing insights into complex problems, and contributing to the development of policies and practices.

Purpose of Thesis

The purpose of a thesis is to present original research findings in a clear and organized manner. It is a formal document that demonstrates a student’s ability to conduct independent research and contribute to the knowledge in their field of study. The primary purposes of a thesis are:

• To Contribute to Knowledge: The main purpose of a thesis is to contribute to the knowledge in a particular field of study. By conducting original research and presenting their findings, the student adds new insights and perspectives to the existing body of knowledge.
• To Demonstrate Research Skills: A thesis is an opportunity for the student to demonstrate their research skills. This includes the ability to formulate a research question, design a research methodology, collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions based on their findings.
• To Develop Critical Thinking: Writing a thesis requires critical thinking and analysis. The student must evaluate existing literature and identify gaps in the field, as well as develop and defend their own ideas.
• To Provide Evidence of Competence : A thesis provides evidence of the student’s competence in their field of study. It demonstrates their ability to apply theoretical concepts to real-world problems, and their ability to communicate their ideas effectively.
• To Facilitate Career Advancement : Completing a thesis can help the student advance their career by demonstrating their research skills and dedication to their field of study. It can also provide a basis for future publications, presentations, or research projects.

When to Write Thesis

The timing for writing a thesis depends on the specific requirements of the academic program or institution. In most cases, the opportunity to write a thesis is typically offered at the graduate level, but there may be exceptions.

Generally, students should plan to write their thesis during the final year of their graduate program. This allows sufficient time for conducting research, analyzing data, and writing the thesis. It is important to start planning the thesis early and to identify a research topic and research advisor as soon as possible.

In some cases, students may be able to write a thesis as part of an undergraduate program or as an independent research project outside of an academic program. In such cases, it is important to consult with faculty advisors or mentors to ensure that the research is appropriately designed and executed.

It is important to note that the process of writing a thesis can be time-consuming and requires a significant amount of effort and dedication. It is important to plan accordingly and to allocate sufficient time for conducting research, analyzing data, and writing the thesis.

Characteristics of Thesis

The characteristics of a thesis vary depending on the specific academic program or institution. However, some general characteristics of a thesis include:

• Originality : A thesis should present original research findings or insights. It should demonstrate the student’s ability to conduct independent research and contribute to the knowledge in their field of study.
• Clarity : A thesis should be clear and concise. It should present the research question, methodology, findings, and conclusions in a logical and organized manner. It should also be well-written, with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Research-Based: A thesis should be based on rigorous research, which involves collecting and analyzing data from various sources. The research should be well-designed, with appropriate research methods and techniques.
• Evidence-Based : A thesis should be based on evidence, which means that all claims made in the thesis should be supported by data or literature. The evidence should be properly cited using appropriate citation styles.
• Critical Thinking: A thesis should demonstrate the student’s ability to critically analyze and evaluate information. It should present the student’s own ideas and arguments, and engage with existing literature in the field.
• Academic Style : A thesis should adhere to the conventions of academic writing. It should be well-structured, with clear headings and subheadings, and should use appropriate academic language.

Advantages of Thesis

There are several advantages to writing a thesis, including:

• Development of Research Skills: Writing a thesis requires extensive research and analytical skills. It helps to develop the student’s research skills, including the ability to formulate research questions, design and execute research methodologies, collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions based on their findings.
• Contribution to Knowledge: Writing a thesis provides an opportunity for the student to contribute to the knowledge in their field of study. By conducting original research, they can add new insights and perspectives to the existing body of knowledge.
• Preparation for Future Research: Completing a thesis prepares the student for future research projects. It provides them with the necessary skills to design and execute research methodologies, analyze data, and draw conclusions based on their findings.
• Career Advancement: Writing a thesis can help to advance the student’s career. It demonstrates their research skills and dedication to their field of study, and provides a basis for future publications, presentations, or research projects.
• Personal Growth: Completing a thesis can be a challenging and rewarding experience. It requires dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It can help the student to develop self-confidence, independence, and a sense of accomplishment.

Limitations of Thesis

There are also some limitations to writing a thesis, including:

• Time and Resources: Writing a thesis requires a significant amount of time and resources. It can be a time-consuming and expensive process, as it may involve conducting original research, analyzing data, and producing a lengthy document.
• Narrow Focus: A thesis is typically focused on a specific research question or topic, which may limit the student’s exposure to other areas within their field of study.
• Limited Audience: A thesis is usually only read by a small number of people, such as the student’s thesis advisor and committee members. This limits the potential impact of the research findings.
• Lack of Real-World Application : Some thesis topics may be highly theoretical or academic in nature, which may limit their practical application in the real world.
• Pressure and Stress : Writing a thesis can be a stressful and pressure-filled experience, as it may involve meeting strict deadlines, conducting original research, and producing a high-quality document.
• Potential for Isolation: Writing a thesis can be a solitary experience, as the student may spend a significant amount of time working independently on their research and writing.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

You may also like

Data Collection – Methods Types and Examples

Delimitations in Research – Types, Examples and...

Research Process – Steps, Examples and Tips

Research Design – Types, Methods and Examples

Institutional Review Board – Application Sample...

Evaluating Research – Process, Examples and...

The Graduate School

University information technology (uit), main navigation, dissertation & thesis summer writing day.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2024, 8:30AM – 4:30PM

Join your fellow graduate students in this self-paced writing event and make a serious dent in your thesis or dissertation. Lunch*, light refreshments in the morning, and information sessions about library and writing resources will be provided.

Registration is required:   utah.sjc1.qualtrics.com…

This event is hosted by the Marriott Library and Graduate School.

*Lunch will be made available to students who register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday 5/28. If you register after this time please plan to bring your own food.

You can find more Graduate Student Resources from the Marriott Libaray on their website.

• Community Engagement
• Fellowships & Benefits
• Info Sessions
• Opportunity
• Registration
• Thesis & Dissertation

Featured Posts

• Dissertation & Thesis Summer Writing Day
• Congratulations Graduating Graduate Students!
• Stay Up To Date With All Things Graduate School
• Center For Teaching Excellence Offers Graduate Student Training

Adelaide Graduate Research School

2024 Visualise Your Thesis Competition

Registrations are now open for the 2024 Visualise Your Thesis competition. HDRs are challenged to present their research in a sixty second visual display. First prize wins $1000 and will go on to compete in the International online competition. All successful submissions also qualify for 5 CaRST points.

To register your interest, visit the Visualise Your Thesis webpage  before 7 July. 

• Previous page

Neural mechanisms for the localization of external and self-generated motion

Localizing movements in the external space is crucial for animals to navigate safely, find food, avoid predators, and interact with their surroundings. Efficient localization during body movements requires the brain to distinguish between externally generated movements and self-generated ones. This involves integrating external stimulation with a continuous estimate of one's body position, to isolate external motion by suppressing sensations arising from self-motion.

To explore the neural mechanisms underlying object localization during active touch, we focused on the mouse superior colliculus (SC), which harbors multiple egocentric maps of sensorimotor space. Our studies revealed that SC neurons exhibit a rapidly adapting tactile response during externally generated touch. The response is significantly attenuated during self-generated touch, thus enhancing the ability to distinguish between external and self-induced tactile stimuli. Additionally, the direction of external motion is precisely encoded in the firing rates of these tactile-responsive neurons, indicating a specialized localization mechanism within the SC.

In scenarios devoid of external stimuli, SC neural activity accurately reflects the kinematics of self-motion, such as whisker position and locomotion speed, capturing past, present, and future body positions. Half of the neurons that encode self-motion also respond to external tactile stimuli. This dual functionality suggests that these neurons not only track self-motion but also engage in the processing of external tactile information. The magnitude of the external tactile response in these neurons is modulated by the state of self-motion upon touch. These results suggest that SC neurons integrate internal estimates of body movements with external tactile inputs to compute the egocentric distance of objects.

Degree Type

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Biological Sciences

Campus location

• West Lafayette

Advisor/Supervisor/Committee Chair

Additional committee member 2, additional committee member 3, additional committee member 4, additional committee member 5, usage metrics.

• Other biological sciences not elsewhere classified
• Neurosciences not elsewhere classified

Help | Advanced Search

Computer Science > Computation and Language

Title: what does the knowledge neuron thesis have to do with knowledge.

Abstract: We reassess the Knowledge Neuron (KN) Thesis: an interpretation of the mechanism underlying the ability of large language models to recall facts from a training corpus. This nascent thesis proposes that facts are recalled from the training corpus through the MLP weights in a manner resembling key-value memory, implying in effect that "knowledge" is stored in the network. Furthermore, by modifying the MLP modules, one can control the language model's generation of factual information. The plausibility of the KN thesis has been demonstrated by the success of KN-inspired model editing methods (Dai et al., 2022; Meng et al., 2022). We find that this thesis is, at best, an oversimplification. Not only have we found that we can edit the expression of certain linguistic phenomena using the same model editing methods but, through a more comprehensive evaluation, we have found that the KN thesis does not adequately explain the process of factual expression. While it is possible to argue that the MLP weights store complex patterns that are interpretable both syntactically and semantically, these patterns do not constitute "knowledge." To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the knowledge representation process, we must look beyond the MLP weights and explore recent models' complex layer structures and attention mechanisms.

Submission history

Access paper:.

• HTML (experimental)
• Other Formats

References & Citations

• Google Scholar
• Semantic Scholar

BibTeX formatted citation

Bibliographic and Citation Tools

Code, data and media associated with this article, recommenders and search tools.

• Institution

arXivLabs: experimental projects with community collaborators

arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website.

Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them.

Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs .

CBC Outstanding Thesis Awards for 2024

CBC congratulates Shinhye Chloe Park, Rei Ellsworth, and Clare Hotze as this years CBC Outstanding Thesis Award recipients!

Shinhye Chloe Park – First Place Read more about Chloe at this page .

Rei Ellsworth – Second Place "I've been very fortunate to grow up in the Tucson community and have an incredible experience with the University of Arizona. I've gotten to meet some really amazing people during my time in college and am grateful for all of the support of my friends and family. I came into undergrad thinking I would be going into healthcare, but during my time on and off campus have realized that I was much more interested in a research setting.

I'm excited to continue working with my lab after graduation and I'm open to any opportunities that will come my way in the future!"

Clare Hotze -Third Place "I have worked in the Tomasiak Lab for the past four years. My research mainly concerns membrane transport protein structure and function. For my senior thesis, I worked alongside a graduate student to investigate the molecular basis of substrate transport by a membrane protein in yeast that helps to  confer resistance to toxic heavy metals to the yeast cell.

Throughout this project and my time in the CBC Department, I learned a lot about biochemistry applications and techniques. I am so grateful for my time in the Tomasiak Lab and the people that mentored me along the way. After graduation, I am attending the University of Kansas Medical School, where I hope to combine my love of research with patient care."

University of Bridgeport News

Master’s in Criminal Justice Thesis Track vs. Internship Track

Candidates looking for a challenging, rewarding, and high-earning position in the criminal justice field usually find themselves pondering whether to return to school via a Criminal Justice Master’s degree program. In researching the decision, many candidates stumble upon the decision of choosing between a thesis track and an internship track of study.

Below, we’ll discuss the different types of Master’s in Criminal Justice degrees, including the Master’s in Criminal Justice thesis track program and the Master’s in Criminal Justice internship program, to help you determine which would be best for your career.

What is a Master’s in Criminal Justice?

A Criminal Justice Master’s degree, like the Master’s in Criminal Justice and Human Security program at University of Bridgeport, is designed to give students knowledge and expertise in the worldwide political, cultural, and socioeconomic conditions contributing to crime and its attenuation. These programs also focus on the cultural, ethnic, religious, and ideological differences commonly found at the crossroads of criminal acts, violence, and terror.

Program prerequisites for Master’s in Criminal Justice degrees vary depending on the college or university. At University of Bridgeport, for example, students must:

• Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or recognized international institution
• Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Have two years of college-level language study or fluency in a second language (Students who have not completed this requirement but feel that they have language competency to this level may take an oral and written exam confirming such competency, or they may complete the language requirement at University of Bridgeport or another regionally accredited institution of higher education before the conclusion of the degree program.)
• Submit an application
• Submit a personal statement (250-500 words) detailing why they are seeking this degree, how you expect to apply your degree to your professional career after graduation, and why you desire to pursue your degree through University of Bridgeport
• Submit a resume
• Submit their official transcript for the last degree earned
• Submit two letters of recommendation commenting on your work ethic, communication skills, and ability to complete a graduate degree program.

Master’s in Criminal Justice Thesis track

Criminal Justice Master’s degree programs often offer students the opportunity to choose between a Master’s in Criminal Justice Thesis track program or a Master’s in Criminal Justice Internship program.

Both of these tracks include eighteen semester hours of core courses and eighteen semester hours of electives . These courses often cover in-depth topics, including:

• Cyberterrorism
• Domestic, international, and comparative criminal law
• Human security
• Transnational crime

Furthermore, the Master’s in Criminal Justice Thesis track, as the name suggests, requires students to dedicate multiple semesters to focus on research and data collection.

Upon completion of their research, each student is then required to write a large-formatted paper sharing their methods, data, and discovery to be published.

At University of Bridgeport, students in the Master’s in Criminal Justice Thesis track take the following courses:

• Criminal Justice Research Methods
• Human Security and Approaches to Justice
• Law Enforcement Management
• U.S. Law and Criminal Justice

Master’s in Criminal Justice Internship track

The Master’s in Criminal Justice Internship track is another popular and common option for students, especially those who want to gain hands-on experience or do not have the time or desire to conduct multi-semester research.

While students in non-thesis degree programs may be required to write papers or complete large projects, there are no expectations that these papers will be published.

Internship track programs, like the one at University of Bridgeport, allow students to intern during their final semesters of the program, giving them hands-on skills and experience to use in their future careers.

At University of Bridgeport, students in the Master’s in Criminal Justice Internship track take the same courses as students in the thesis track, but instead of a thesis, they take:

• CJHS 591 – Internship
• CJHS 598 – Tutorial

Thesis track vs. internship track: Which one is right for me?

Deciding whether to enroll in a Master’s in Criminal Justice thesis track degree versus a Master’s in Criminal Justice Internship track degree ultimately depends on a student’s needs, interests, and goals.

Both types of Master’s in Criminal Justice degrees can lead to exciting, fulfilling, and rewarding careers as:

• Correctional caseworker
• Criminologist
• Cybersecurity investigator
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agents
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Agent
• Federal Marshall
• Forensic psychologists
• Intelligence analyst
• Police supervisors and detective supervisors

If you want to pursue a research-heavy field, submit your writing to academic journals, or obtain a Ph.D., a Master’s in Criminal Justice Thesis track program would be the best fit. But if you do not enjoy writing and thrive on project-based, real-world assignments, a Master’s in Criminal Justice Internship Program is a great choice.

Earn your Criminal Justice Master’s degree at University of Bridgeport

No matter if you choose the thesis track vs internship track, University of Bridgeport’s Criminal Justice and Human Security Master’s degree program makes sure graduates are well-prepared and ready to work in the area of criminal justice, international security, defense, intelligence, and transnational crime prevention or deterrence anywhere in the world.

Financial aid is available , and our comprehensive support services are here to help you get through college and into a great career.

Apply today or contact us for more information . The completed application and all supporting documents for our Master of Arts (M.A.) in Criminal Justice and Human Security degree must be received by July 15th for the fall semester and December 1st for the spring semester.

We can’t wait for you to join the Purple Knight family!