Reports / Germany

What are German research reports?

The term "research reports" refers to publications, which present the results of research projects, and which are not available through booksellers.  A research report may report the results of an individual project, or the results of a joint project involving the participation of several institutions, or even the research activities of an institution of higher education. Differentiation between German and foreign research reports is made on the basis of their geographical status, rather than the language factor. Any report, that stems from Germany, is classified as a German research report.
You can find useful hints for a correct report preparation in the publication from Grey Literature International Steering Committe (GLISC).

Which research reports belong to our stock?

The TIB collects German research reports on engineering technologies and natural sciences as comprehensive as possible, in particular those reports funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi).

The TIB/UB holds 220.000 print and 34.000 full text german research reports (as of November 2011). Each month, around 300 new electronic  and 500 print reports are added. The electronic research reports are available in PDF format.

The TIB performs the role of a deposit library for final reports of projects funded by the BMBF. In accordance with the incidental provisions for third-party donors, any research projects since 1st January 1996 are obliged to deliver their final report to the TIB both as a free, printed copy, and on an electronic storage medium. Please take into account the following Recommendations concerning the delivery of final reports to the TIB.

How do you get the research reports you want?

All German research reports are integrated in GetInfo and can be researched and ordered online.

Should a German research report on engineering or natural sciences not be present in our stock, the TIB will try to get it.

Where can I get more help?

Should you have any questions relating to the German research reports, please contact:

Mrs. Elzbieta Gabrys-Deutscher (Dr.-Ing.)

German National Library of Science and Technology (TIB)
Postfach 6080,
D-30060 Hannover
Telephone: +49 (0)511 / 762 - 34 24
Fax: +49 (0)511 / 762 - 40 76
E-mail: Elzbieta.Gabrys(at)tib.uni-hannover.de