How to Cite a Dissertation in Different Citation Styles
7 min read
Published on: Oct 28, 2019
Last updated on: Jan 26, 2023
7 min read
Published on: Oct 28, 2019
Last updated on: Jan 26, 2023
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A dissertation is an essential requirement to pass the graduate and undergraduate programs. Also, in some educational institutes, it is sometimes known as a thesis.
Its main purpose is to examine the research skills of the students that they have acquired during their degree. In addition, it works as an assessment that the professors use to determine the student’s final grades.
However, writing a dissertation is not a complex task if you know how to write it properly. Also, some students are stuck in the citation phase. Since there are several citation formats available, choosing the right one is a daunting task.
Therefore, continue reading this blog and know how to cite a dissertation in the correct format.
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 The APA citation style depends on the published and unpublished dissertation.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Below is a format when you cite an unpublished thesis or dissertation.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) |
Now, you get different citation style formats for the dissertation. However, you need professional writing help, consult legit essay writing service - MyPerfectWords.com.
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Cathy A. (Literature, Marketing)
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.
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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