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Published on: Oct 28, 2019
Last updated on: Nov 12, 2023
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Proper citation of sources is a vital part of academic writing. There are different rules for citing different kinds of sources, and it’s important for students to know them for correct citation.
A dissertation, also known as a thesis, is a research-based document that serves as the final project at the master's or doctoral level. These comprehensive papers often make good sources for further research.
So how do you cite a dissertation as a source in your own research?
This guide will show you how to cite dissertations in common citation styles. By the end, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the citation process with ease.
Let's begin!
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One of the first and most crucial steps in citing a dissertation is knowing the right citation style. Different academic disciplines and institutions have specific preferences for citation styles, so it's essential to align your formatting with these requirements.
Here are some of the most common citation styles.
Let’s see how to cite a dissertation in-text and references for each of these styles.
Citing a dissertation in APA format involves specific formats for both in-text citations and reference list entries, depending on whether the dissertation is published or unpublished.
Here's a breakdown of how to cite dissertations in APA 7th edition:
Reference Format | Author last name, Initials. (Year). Dissertation title [Type of dissertation/thesis, University Name]. Archive Name. URL |
Reference Entry Example | MCNiel, D.S. (2005). The impact of cloud computing on IT companies [Master’s thesis, University of California]. CurateND. https://curate.nd.edu/show/7k69op88w2w |
In-text Citation | (MCNiel, 2005) |
Reference Format | Author last name, Initials. (Year). Dissertation title [Unpublished type of dissertation/thesis]. University Name. |
Reference Entry Example | MCNiel, D.S. (2010). Effects of global warming [Unpublished master’s thesis]. The University of California. |
In-text Citation | (MCNiel, 2010) |
MLA format is a common citation style that is mostly used to cite sources about arts, cultural studies, and humanities.
Here is the dissertation citation format in MLA 9th edition.
Reference Format | Author's Last-name, First-name. Title of Dissertation. Diss. Place of Study, Year. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Format. |
Reference Entry Example | Smith, Alexa. How to reuse the software components. Diss. West Virginia University, 2010. New York. 2012. Print. |
In-text Citation | (Author’s Last Name Page #) E.g. (Smith 24) |
Reference Format | Last-name, First-name. “Title of Dissertation.” Diss. Place of Study, Year. Title of Database. Web. Date Month Year of Access. |
Reference Entry Example | Harry, John. “How to take care of diabetic patients.” Diss. Miskatonic University, 2009. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Web. 13 May 2020. |
In-text Citation | (Author’s Last Name, Page #) E.g. (Harry 3) |
The Chicago style, also known as the Turabian, is also commonly used throughout institutions across the US. Chicago format allows in-text citations but also uses endnotes.
Here is how to cite a dissertation in Turabian or Chicago.
Footnote Format | First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," (Publisher, Year). |
Bibliography Entry | Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Year. |
Footnote Format | Note #. First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," Unpublished thesis type, University. Year. |
Bibliography Entry | Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Unpublished thesis type. University. Year. |
Citing a dissertation in Harvard citation format is relatively straightforward, emphasizing the author-date citation style for in-text references.
Here's how to cite dissertations in Harvard format:
Reference Format | Author's Last-name, First-name. (Year). Title of Dissertation. Type of Dissertation, Name of University. URL or DOI. |
Reference Entry Example | Smith, John A. (2020). Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Ecosystems. Doctoral dissertation, University of XYZ. https://doi.org/xxxxxx |
In-text Citation | (Smith, 2020) |
Format | Author's Last-name, First-name. (Year). Title of Dissertation. Unpublished Dissertation, Name of University. |
Reference Entry | Johnson, Rachel L. (2019). The Role of Leadership in Organizational Change. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of ABC. |
In-text Citation | (Johnson, 2019) |
The AMA style, developed by the American Medical Association (AMA) format is essential for those in the medical and health sciences fields.
Here's how to cite dissertations in AMA format:
Reference List Entry | [1] Author's Last-name First-initial. Title of Dissertation. Location: Publisher; Year. |
Reference Entry Example | [1] Smith JA. Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Ecosystems. Chicago, IL: University of XYZ Press; 2020. |
In-Text Citation | Use numeric citations in square brackets for in-text references. Place the citation at the end of the sentence or clause where the source is used. E.g [1]. |
Reference List Entry | [2] Author's Last-name First-initial. Title of Dissertation. Location: University; Year. |
Reference Entry Example | [2] Johnson RL. The Role of Leadership in Organizational Change. Los Angeles, CA: University of ABC; 2019. |
In-Text Citation | Use numeric citations in square brackets for in-text references. Place the citation at the end of the sentence or clause where the source is used. E.g [1]. |
In Conclusion,
Now that you know how to cite a dissertation or thesis in various academic styles, you can write your paper with ease.
Remember, proper citation ensures the integrity and credibility of your work. So make sure you reference information such as author, name, thesis publication number, and other points according to your assigned citation format.
In addition, we understand that writing your research becomes even more challenging due to complicated citation rules. But don’t worry, our paper writing service has got your back.
Our expert research writers are here to offer top-notch support in crafting well-researched, correctly-cited, and professionally written papers that meet your academic needs. So buy dissertation today.
When you cite sources in the dissertation, you must know the citation style formats for the references list. Sometimes, the professors recommend the students the specific citation style for the research paper, and they should follow this.
However, when your professor doesn’t assign you the specific citation style. You should know about different citation style formats for the dissertation.
The most commonly used are:
Therefore, choose the one according to your academic field. The basic information is the same in all citation styles. Only the format in which information is present depends on the citation style format.
APA style is the most popular citation style, and it is normally used by students when citing sources in the dissertation. The APA citation style depends on the published and unpublished dissertation. Considering that, APA offers a different format for both types of dissertation.
The general format of citing the dissertation or thesis from the database is:
Format | Author, A. A. (Year). Title of doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis (Publication number, if available) [Doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis, Institution]. Publisher, if available. Database Name |
Reference Entry | MCNiel, D.S. (2004). A personal narrative discussing growing up with an alcoholic father (Publication No, 14596887) [Doctoral dissertation, University of California]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. |
In-text Citation | (MCNiel, 2004) |
Below is a format when you cite an unpublished thesis or dissertation.
Format | Author last name, Initials. (Year). Dissertation title [Unpublished type of dissertation/thesis]. University Name. |
Reference Entry | MCNiel, D.S. (2010). Effects of global warming [Unpublished master’s thesis]. The University of California. |
In-text Citation | (MCNiel, 2010) |
According to the publication manual of the APA, the following is a format to cite the published dissertation or thesis.
Format | Author last name, Initials. (Year). Dissertation title [Type of dissertation/thesis, University Name]. Archive Name. URL |
Reference Entry | MCNiel, D.S. (2005). The impact of cloud computing on IT companies [Master’s thesis, University of California]. CurateND. https://curate.nd.edu/show/7k69op88w2w |
In-text Citation | (MCNiel, 2005) |
Take a look at this sample and get an idea of citing sources in APA 7th edition.
MLA is another common citation style, and it is used to cite sources about arts, cultural studies, and humanities. However, before citing the sources in MLA citation, you should be aware of its format.
Here is an MLA dissertation format from the database for your ease.
Format | Last name, First Name. Title. Diss. Name of University, Year Published. Web. Date accessed. |
Reference Entry | Jones, Marcus Alexander. Challenges of Software Reuse MA thesis. University of California, 2010. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Web. 21 June 2005. |
In-text Citation | (Jones) |
Take a look at this format of citing a published dissertation or thesis.
Format | Author's Last-name, First-name. Title of Dissertation. Diss. Place of Study, Year. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Format. |
Reference Entry | Smith, Alexa. How to reuse the software components. Diss. West Virginia University, 2010. New York. 2012. Print. |
In-text Citation | (Smith) |
Check the following format to cite the unpublished dissertation.
Format | Last-name, First-name. “Title of Dissertation.” Diss. Place of Study, Year. Title of Database. Web. Date Month Year of Access. |
Reference Entry | Harry, John. “How to take care of diabetic patients.” Diss. Miskatonic University, 2009. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Web. 13 May 2020. |
In-text Citation | (Harry) |
Here is a sample of the MLA dissertation in the 8th edition.
Chicago citation style is different from APA and MLA, but it is not a complex format. Some students confuse between a Chicago and Turabian citation style. They both are nearly identical, and the only difference between them is the numbering system for notes.
The below-given table shows the format of citing the dissertation in Chicago style.
Format | Last, First M. "Thesis/Dissertation Title." Ph.D. diss., [OR] Master's thesis, Academic institution, Year. |
Reference Entry | Alex Brown, “Advantages and disadvantages of reusing software” Ph.D. diss., University of Chicago, 1995. |
For your help, here is a Chicago citation format from the web.
Format | First name Last name, “Title” master’s thesis or Ph.D. diss. University, Year published, URL |
Reference Entry | Smith, Choi, “Pros and cons of genetically modified foods” Ph.D. thesis. The University of Calabria, 2016, http://search.proquest.com/docview/897482642?accountid=55263 |
Below is a format for citing the dissertation from the database.
Format | Last, F.M. (Date published). First name Last name, “Title” master’s thesis or Ph.D. diss., University, Year published, Database (Identification Number). |
Reference Entry | Alex Kerry, “The multimedia and newspaper importance” Ph.D. diss., University of California, 2015, ProQuest (5697168125). |
Harvard citation style follows the author and date format. This citation style is different from the APA, MLA, and Chicago referencing styles.
Here is the format of the unpublished dissertation.
Format | Author of thesis - family name and initials Year of preparation of the thesis, 'Title of thesis in single quotation marks,’ Award, Institution issuing degree, Location of the institution. |
Reference Entry | Howie, L 2017, ‘Managing the international weather update,’ Ph.D. thesis, Monash University, Melbourne. |
In-text Citation | (Howie, 2017) |
Take a look at the format of the published dissertation.
Format | Author of thesis - family name and initials Year of preparation of the thesis, Title of thesis, Institution issuing degree. |
Reference Entry | Roman, CW 2018, Using a model of emotional self-efficacy in predicting work outcomes, Alliant International University, San Diego. |
In-text Citation | (Roman, 2018) |
The below table shows the Chicago format for the thesis from the database.
Format | Author of thesis - family name and initials Year of preparation of the thesis, Title of thesis, Award, Institution issuing degree, Location of the institution, Database name |
Reference Entry | Barley, S 2018, Developing of new technologies, Ph.D. thesis, University of California, California, . |
In-text Citation | (Barley, 2018) |
To sum up,
With these detailed guidelines, you are now familiar with different formatting rules for citing dissertations.
However, we understand that ensuring correct citations can be time-consuming. But don't worry, our expert paper writing service has got you covered.
Our team of experienced writers is familiar with all the common citation formats. We can help you ensure that all your citations and references are accurate and meet academic guidelines.
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Cathy has been been working as an author on our platform for over five years now. She has a Masters degree in mass communication and is well-versed in the art of writing. Cathy is a professional who takes her work seriously and is widely appreciated by clients for her excellent writing skills.
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