Working Papers in Dewey Library

Guide to Working Papers

Accessing the universe of working papers || Working paper subscriptions || Print backfiles of working papers || Obtaining MIT working papers

Accessing the universe of working papers

Working papers are tools for the rapid dissemination of research results in the social sciences. Universities, research institutes, and other organizations publish hundreds of working paper series in economics, management, and other fields.

Many working paper series are available in full text via the Internet. Some also continue to be published in hard copy. While most working paper series are available for free, some are accessible only by paid subscription.

IDEAS and EconPapers provide search interfaces for a database of 100,000+ working papers maintained by RePEc (Research Papers in Economics), a project to enhance the distribution of research in economics. Papers in electronic format may be downloaded for free.

SSRN (Social Science Research Network) consists of an Abstract Database and an Electronic Paper Collection for research in economics, management, and other social sciences. Some of the papers are fee based, but many are free, including current working papers issued by the MIT Department of Economics (2000- ) and the MIT Sloan School of Management (1997- ).

Working paper subscriptions at Dewey Library

MIT users have access to the following subscription-based working paper series:

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) Discussion Papers (online only)
Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) Policy Papers (online only)
International Monetary Fund Working Papers (online & print)
National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) Working Papers (online & print)

Print backfiles of working paper series at Dewey Library

Holdings of working paper series at Dewey can be identified in Barton, the MIT Libraries' catalog. A title keyword search combining the name of the issuing institution and the terms working paper is recommended.

Because working papers are meant to convery very current information, they usually have relatively short shelf lives. Most working paper series received in print at Dewey are kept only 3-5 years.

Yet some working papers may continue to be read and cited over longer periods of time. The finding aids below list location and holdings of print working paper series currently received and permanently retained by Dewey Library. Series are listed alphabetically by institution. The list of M-Z holdings includes working paper series issued by MIT departments and centers.

Working Papers, Permanent Holdings, A-L

Working Papers, Permanent Holdings, M-Z

Obtaining MIT working papers

To confirm holdings and citation information of working papers issued by MIT departments, search Barton, the MIT Libraries' online catalog. MIT issued working papers are given full cataloging and can be searched by author, title, or subject, as well as by series title and number.

MIT working papers in electronic format can be downloaded directly from their catalog records in Barton.

MIT working papers available only in hard copy may be ordered for a fee from MIT Libraries' Document Services.

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This page was last updated on 05/20/08