Until recently theses and dissertations (Masters and Doctoral) were only available in printed form. Now, worldwide, institutions are digitising their collections putting pdf copies into the public arena. Theses can be traced via Google, GoogleScholar or from a particular institution's theses repository, usually from the Library's webpage.
For UKZN theses go to ResearchSpace
For South African theses go to SABINET ONLINE - see the UCTD collection and Current and Completed Research
For a more comprehensive search of theses from other institutions go to Library theses databases page.
It is a requirement to supply UKZN with one electronic copy (preferably pdf) for the Library (an additional print copy is optional). The pdf copy is uploaded onto ResearchSpace for public access. These copies must be given to the relevant Higher Degrees office.
1. Click on the iCatalogue tab, choose the Advanced search option, and then type in details in the search boxes.
2. Limit search to UKZN libraries if this option is not already the default. When you get a resutls list, from the left hand side facets, under format, tick in the box next to theses to limit your search to items in this format.
To search for print copies of UKZN dissertations and theses use the World Cat Local : icatalogue option and limit results to UKZN. If you know the name of the author or the title of the dissertation, you can do a keyword search for those. Once you get a results list, limit by 'theses' from the left hand column under Format. Theses are treated like books and arranged on the shelves in number order. Print copies of more recent theses are only available in the thesis collection.
If a digital copy of a thesis is available, the URL will be provided, otherwise click on the Research Space tab on the library website which is the repository for UKZN digital theses. Please note that the digitising of theses is an ongoing project so earlier theses may not yet be available online.
UKZN theses and those from other institutions can usually be traced via Google.
Increasingly, all institutions are digitising their theses starting with the most recent ones. If you cannot access a thesis via the Google link, go to the institution's library website and search within its digital theses.
EThOS: British library collection of theses
GoogleScholar or Google - type in the topic and then either the words dissertation pdf for PhDs or thesis pdf for masters theses eg "information behaviour" dissertation pdf
PQDT Open - the open access theses collection from ProQuest
Union Catalogue of Theses and Dissertations (UCTD)