How to Cite a Dissertation in Different Formats: Easy Guide

Citing a Dissertation in Different Styles

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.

APA (American Psychological Association): Widely used in the social sciences.
MLA (Modern Language Association): Commonly used in the humanities, such as literature, philosophy, art.
Chicago Manual of Style: The Chicago style offers two different citation formats: notes and bibliography or author-date. Used in social sciences, humanities, and also sometimes in STEM fields.
AMA (American Medical Association): Ideal for health and medical fields.
Harvard Style: Used in various fields and specifically recommended and used by some institutions and journals.
Other Styles: Depending on your field, you might encounter other citation styles like IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) for engineering or ACS (American Chemical Society) for chemistry. Always check your institution's guidelines or your field's standards.

Let’s see how to cite a dissertation in-text and references for each of these styles.

How to Cite a Dissertation in APA 7th?

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formats for both in-text citations and reference list entries, depending on whether the dissertation is published or unpublished.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:

Citing a Published Dissertation in APA 7th

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)

Citing an Unpublished Dissertation in APA 7th

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 Dissertation title [Unpublished type of dissertation/thesis].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 Effects of global warming [Unpublished master’s thesis].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)

How to Cite a Dissertation in MLA 9th edition

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.

Citing a Published Dissertation in MLA

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)

Citing an Unpublished Dissertation in MLA

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)

How to Cite a Dissertation in Chicago Style

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.

Citing a Published Dissertation in Chicago Style

Footnote Format	First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," (Publisher, Year).
Bibliography Entry	Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Year.

Citing an Unpublished Dissertation in Chicago

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.

How to Cite a Dissertation in Harvard Format

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:

Citing a Published Dissertation in Harvard Style

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)

Citing an Unpublished Dissertation in Harvard Style

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)

How to Cite a Dissertation in AMA Format

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:

Citing a Published Dissertation in AMA

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].

Citing an Unpublished Dissertation in AMA

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.

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How to Cite a Dissertation in Different Styles?

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:

APA (American Psychological Association)
MLA (Modern Language Association)
Chicago citation style
Harvard citation style

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.

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APA Dissertation 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.

Dissertation APA 7th Edition

MLA Dissertation Format

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.

Dissertation APA 8th Edition

Chicago Dissertation Format

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).

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Harvard Dissertation Format

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.

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How to Cite a Dissertation in Different Citation Styles