ProQuest is a website that offers a series of databases on several disciplines. Topics include the arts, business, technology, history, global news, research, and the social sciences. The databases contain academic journal articles, theses, dissertations, and magazines. When connected to the Tiffin University network, you can access five databases: American Periodicals (1740-1940), Coronavirus Research Database, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global: The Humanities and Social Sciences Collection, and Publicly Available Content Database. If you are off campus, you can only access the ProQuest databases in our A-Z list directly. If you want to access the other databases not listed in our A-Z list, you will need to select it manually in the "change databases" tab on the ProQuest home page. The functions of these databases are similar to that of DragonQuest, Tiffin University's online library catalog. Regardless if you are using the campus Wi-Fi or working off campus, you do not need to create an account to use this resource. However, creating a ProQuest account (titled "My Research") allows you to save search results and documents, manage alerts and RSS feeds, and customize search settings.
If you are new to ProQuest and would like to watch a demonstration of its features, you can watch our webinar recording here.
ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I
ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I (abstracts and indices) is an online database within ProQuest that allows users to search for written dissertations and theses. It contains mostly abstracts and indices from works on different disciplines. There are some full-text sources in this database, but they are not available for every source. Dissertations & Theses A&I is best used for locating a source's bibliographic information and using it to locate the source elsewhere.
Research Abstract vs. Index
An abstract is a summary of a research paper that covers the work's main findings, purpose, methodology, and conclusions. It is very helpful in evaluating a resource and determining its relevance to your own research. A database index is a list of sources with their identifying information, such as title, author, ISSN/ISBN number, publication year, and subject. In a database index (such as Dissertations & Theses A&I), a full-text version of the work may not always be available.
When you search ProQuest on campus, it will automatically search all of its databases. However, you can choose a filter that will only search Dissertations & Theses A&I. The same rules apply to ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global: The Humanities and Social Sciences Collection, which provides full-text access to dissertations and theses on the humanities and social sciences. If you are off campus, you do not need to worry about selecting databases (the database in our A-Z list is your direct link).
The following excerpt from ProQuest has information about Dissertations & Theses Global: The Humanities and Social Sciences Collection. Compared to Dissertations & Theses A&I, this database provides full-text sources. However, it is important to note that it only contains sources on the humanities and social sciences.
To create a free account with ProQuest:
1. Visit the ProQuest website, located here, or visit one of the ProQuest databases from our A-Z list if you are off campus.
2. Go to the top right corner of the page and click on the silhouette.
3. Click on "Create My Research Account."
4. You will be required to input your email address and a password for your new account. A confirmation link will be sent to your email, which you will need to open. This will fully activate your new account.
Create a New "My Research" Account Page
