USP signs a database access agreement with 2.7 million global theses in over 50 languages
Original article published on August, 30th, 2023, in Portuguese. Acess here
The agreement was signed through the Digital Libraries and Collections Agency, allowing free access to the database to evaluate whether thesis or dissertation topics have not yet been written or to search for titles related to academic areas of interest.
ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global is the official repository of dissertations for the Library of Congress, with over 4,200 contributing institutions – Art on photo/Visuahunt.
The Digital Libraries and Collections Agency (ABCD) of USP is providing a new tool for students and researchers at the University, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global database. This database offers access to 5 million citations of dissertations and theses from around the world, dating back to 1637 up to the present day, alongside over 2.7 million full-text dissertations available for download in PDF format. Access can be obtained via an authorized USP computer or through remote VPN access using this link. If the connection is established correctly, the top of the platform will display “Access provided by the University of São Paulo.”
The database allows graduate students to check whether their thesis or dissertation topics have already been written. Moreover, students, teachers, and other researchers can search for titles related to their academic interests. This offers instant access to high-quality, multidisciplinary research materials and the ability to build one’s own collection, including each selected dissertation or thesis in your search.
Updated weekly, it features 24 indexed and searchable fields, including full-text search capabilities for dissertations. Covered subjects include Arts, Economics, Business, Education, Humanities, Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Health, and Medical Sciences.
ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Search Screen – Photo: Reproduction/PDTG
Worldwide Database
ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global is also the official repository for dissertations of the United States Library of Congress, with contributions from over 4,200 institutions. The database provides full-text access to dissertations added since 1997, and for many older graduate works as well. It includes bibliographic citations for materials dating back to the first American dissertation accepted in 1861, as well as European dissertations from the 17th century, up to those accepted in the last semester. Furthermore, over 200,000 new dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.
Partnerships with various universities have been crucial in expanding the reach and impact of graduate works. Working together, the visibility of the institution and the production of doctoral dissertations are extended in the global research community. In 2017, ProQuest joined forces with the China Academic Library & Information System (Calis) to provide the first global access to abstracts of graduate production from 80 Chinese universities. Currently, ProQuest includes academic works from nearly 100 countries and more than 50 languages.
For more information on ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global (PQDT), browse:
Accessing the Platform
To access the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global platform, simply go to the website https://www.proquest.com/pqdtglobal using a computer at USP or via VPN.
The USP VPN service, for access outside the University, is provided by the Information Technology Superintendence (STI) and requires the user’s USP number and single password. If you don’t remember your single password, visit the website id.usp.br, click on “Esqueci minha senha” (I forgot my password), and follow the page’s instructions.
Download the specific VPN application for your computer, tablet, or mobile device, following the installation instructions at the following links: VPN USPnet on Windows, VPN USPnet on Mac, VPN USPnet on Linux, VPN USPnet on iPhone / iPad, VPN USPnet on Android.
Click on this link to watch the platform presentation video.
For more information, you can visit the ABCD (Digital Libraries and Collections Agency) website or contact them via email at atendimento@abcd.usp.br.