Find literature

The Database Information System (DBIS) is a cooperative service for the use of scientific databases. Well over 14,000 subject databases are listed, in which subject-related searches for references and electronic full texts (e-books, e-journals, reports, etc.) can be carried out. If access to a database does not work, please use a different browser. You will find instructions for accessing the respective database. DBIS

An Online-Tutorial is available to familiarize yourself with the database info system.

Many subject databases can also be accessed outside the university. Please use our VPN service or Shibboleth (for some databases).

The EZB is the most comprehensive collection of full-text electronic journals from all disciplines. The library has over 23,000 journals under license. You can search the EZB specifically for individual journal titles; searching for specific articles is not possible. EZB

Many journals can also be accessed outside the university. Please use our VPN service or Shibboleth (for individual journals).

The ZDB contains the printed and electronic journal holdings of German libraries. Individual articles are not indexed. ZDB

AI-powered tools designed for literature research can help you find and identify relevant literature quickly and efficiently. They can help you with getting an overview of large amounts of data and with focusing on appropriate information. Nevertheless, they are no replacement for traditional methods of literature research, but they can be a useful supplement. 

These tools focus primarily on English-language sources. As a result, they do not take the state of research in German-speaking countries into account in a sufficient manner. Above all, they can locate open access publications (including full text sources), which are freely available, or journal articles. For the most part, AI tools will not be able to find books, basic literature or publications hidden behind paywalls. 

AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, can assist you with finding suitable search terms, synonyms or translations. In addition, they can help you formulate search terms for research in a library catalogue. 

 HAWKI and ChatAI process any information you transmit in compliance with data protection laws and do not make such information available to third parties. 

Up next, we provide you with a selection of diverse tools for literature research, which we can group into Finders and Connectors. Depending on your search entry, one or the other approach may be suitable. 

Finder tools are suitable as an entry point into a thematic search. 

• You can input research questions by using simple language
• They provide a summary of the search results: That way, you gain an overview of the contents of all discovered papers
• By using relevance filters, the tools will highlight important aspects of the publicationsIf available, the tools will provide direct links to the full texts
• Some tools can analyse pdf files in order to create summaries or result overviews automatically

Access: there are tools that you can use free-of-charge. What's common, however, is a limited free-to-use-model with the option to upgrade to a paid subscription. In most cases, you will need to create a user account to do research without restrictions.

Examples for Finder-Tools:

Elicit: this tool will create a research report based on a research question. It displays the results as a chart, summarizes the contents of papers and extracts key information 

Consensus: this tool locates and analyzes texts based on a research question. Its Consensus Meter displays the scientific consensus in its field of research (yes/no/maybe)

ORGKask: this tool is provided by TIB (Leibniz Information Center for Science and Technology). You can use it for free without registration. The protection of data privacy is a special focus of this tool. 

For research according to the snowball principle, Connectors are the most suitable tools. 

• You either use one existing or known paper as a starting point or DOI or Pubmed Identifier. DOI or Pubmed-Identifier
• Starting with one papers, the tools will propose other papers with similar themes or works cited (snowball principle)
• The tools will visualize the results.
• The focus is on topics from the life and natural sciences, with an emphasis on English publications.

Access: there are tools that you can use free-of-charge. What's common, however, is a limited free-to-use-model with the option to upgrade to a paid subscription. In most cases, you will need to create a user account to do research without restrictions.

Examples for Connector-Tools:

ResearchRabbit: Based on a 'seed paper', the tool will visualize citation networks and establish connections between publications that are thematically linked. 

Connected Papers: a literature mapping tool that locates scientific texts and visualizes connections to publications with similar subjects.   

Open Knowledge Maps: This tool was developed by the Association for the Promotion of Visibility of Scientific Knowledge from Vienna. This tool can be used freely without any restrictions. It is focused on the protection of data privacy. 

Here you can find the media stock of the University of Osnabrück. Full texts cannot be accessed for licensing reasons. Catalog of the University Library

In the common union catalog (GVK) you will find materials from over 1,100 libraries. The holdings listed can largely be ordered via interlibrary loan or via the document delivery service "subito". GVK

WorldCat is the world's largest bibliographic database. It indexes the holdings of more than 10,000 libraries, including many U.S. institutions. WorldCat

KVK is a meta-search engine for library and book trade catalogs and enables simultaneous searches in several union catalogs as well as in international sources. KVK

Selected theses can be viewed via our online publication server OPUS.

A selection of theses written in the last 10 years in the courses of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Landscape Architecture is available in the Campus Library Haste. Research theses

The Testothek has psychological test procedures with a focus on performance and personality diagnostics as well as clinical procedures. The tests can be searched via scinos and are displayed as reference stock, but can also be ordered via the magazine order. Borrowing can only be done at the service desk of the Westerberg Campus Library. Provision at other library locations is not possible.

Teachers, employees and enrolled students of Business Psychology at the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück can borrow the tests for a period of two weeks. There is no possibility of extension.  

Upon presentation of a written authorization by Prof. Dr. Uwe Kanning, lecturers, employees and students of other disciplines at the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences may also borrow test procedures from the Testothek.  

The tests can be ordered online and will be available for collection on the following opening day if they are not borrowed or have already been reserved. Students are asked to show their library card and a current certificate of enrollment in the Department of Business Psychology or written permission at the time of pickup.  

Proper use of the diagnostic procedures in accordance with the rules of the DGPs and the BDP is assumed. In particular, the borrowing person is responsible for the completeness and integrity of the materials upon return. The library reserves the right to inspect test materials prior to return posting.

Circulation

Westerberg Campus Library / Testothek

Nelson-Mandela-Platz 1                   

49076 Osnabrück

Phone: +49 541 969-2931

bibinfow@hs-osnabrueck.de