How to Cite a Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples
9 min read
Published on: Apr 21, 2021
Last updated on: Oct 27, 2024
9 min read
Published on: Apr 21, 2021
Last updated on: Oct 27, 2024
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In academic writing, citing references is more than just a formality. It is an essential practice that upholds the integrity of research.
Mostly, you find material from books, journal articles, and research papers. But what if you find some valuable information in a dissertation?
A dissertation is a comprehensive research document that is required for a doctoral degree. It represents an original contribution to the field of study and demonstrates a student's ability to conduct independent research.
This guide will explain how you can cite a dissertation in various citation styles. So let’s dive in!
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Different citation styles have their own specific rules and formats for citing a dissertation. So when writing any academic paper, you should know which citation format you are using.
The most commonly used citation styles include:
There are several other citation styles as well, such as IEEE, APSA, and AMA. However, these styles are used in very specific disciplines and courses.
Let's see how to cite a dissertation in APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard formats.
Want to learn about citing a research paper instead? Head to our guide to learn how to cite a research paper in different styles, with examples!
APA style is one of the most popular citation styles. It is used by students across natural sciences, social sciences, management sciences, and sometimes even humanities.
Citing a dissertation in APA style changes based on whether it is published or unpublished.
If you find a published thesis or dissertation on a research database, follow this structure:
Format:
Author's Last, F. M. (Year published). Title in sentence case (Publication or Document No.) [Degree type thesis or dissertation, Name of institution]. Database name.
Example:
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.
Intext Citation:
(Author, Year)
Intext Citation Example:
(MCNiel, 2004)
The correct citation structure for an unpublished thesis is as follows:
Format:
Author's Last, F. M. (Year published). Title in sentence case [Unpublished Degree type thesis or dissertation]. Name of institution.
Example:
Ames, J. H., & Doughty, L. H. (1911). The proposed plans for the Iowa State College athletic field including the design of a reinforced concrete grandstand and wall [Unpublished bachelor's thesis]. Iowa State University.
Intext Citation Example:
(Ames & Doughty, 1911)
Online Published Dissertation or Thesis
In the APA format, a citation for a published thesis or dissertation that you found online is different. The basic format of an unpublished dissertation or thesis is:
Format:
Author's Last, F. M. (Year Published). Title in sentence case [Degree type thesis or dissertation, Name of institution]. Name of archive or collection. URL
Example:
Stiles, T. W. (2001). Doing science: Teachers' authentic experiences at the Lone Star Dinosaur Field Institute [Master's thesis, Texas A&M University]. OAKTrust. https://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2001-THESIS-S745
Intext Citation:
(Stiles, 2001)
The document below explains the elements of citations in APA style in-depth. Check it out if you want to learn more about APA 7th edition.
MLA is a citation style that is often used in arts, cultural studies, literature, and humanities.
Here's how you cite published and unpublished dissertations in MLA 9th Edition.
Format
Last name, First Name. Title of the dissertation. Year Published. Name of University, Degree
Example
Daniel, Marcus Alexander. Challenges of Software Reuse. 2010. University of California, MA thesis. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Web. 21 June 2005.
Intext Citation (Last Name, Page #):
(Daniel 29)
Format
Last name, First Name. Title of the Dissertation. Name of University, type of degree. Website name, URL.
Example
Daniel, Marcus Alexander. Challenges of Software Reuse. 2010. University of California, MA thesis. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, https://www.proquest.com/docview/1143267768
Format
Last name, First name. "Title of Dissertation." University Name, type of dissertation.
Example
Joseph, Harry. "How to take care of diabetic patients." Miskatonic University, PhD dissertation.
Intext Citation
(Joseph 25)
Learn how you cite a dissertation in the Chicago (Note-Bibliography) format with examples. In the note-bibliography format, there is a difference in how you cite the dissertation in the note-entry and the bibliography entry.
Note Format
First-name Last-name, "Title of Dissertation" (Publisher, Year).
Example
Alex Brown, "Advantages and disadvantages of reusing software" (University of Nebraska, 1995).
Bibliography Entry Format
Last name, First name. "Title of Dissertation" Year.
Example
Brown, Alex "Advantages and disadvantages of reusing software" 1995.
Note Format
Note #. First-name Last-name, "Title of Dissertation," Database Name, Year, URL.
Example
Bibliography Entry
Last name, First name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Database Name, Year. URL.
Example
Choi, Smith. "Pros and cons of genetically modified foods." The University of Calabria, 2016. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20511243.112116.
Note Format
Note #. First-name Last-name, "Title of Dissertation," Dissertation type, University. Year.
Example
Bibliography Entry
Last-name, First-name. "Title of Dissertation." Dissertation type. University. Year.
Example
Kerry, Alex. "The multimedia and newspaper importance." PhD dissertation. University of California. 2015.
Citations in the Chicago (Author-Date) format are very different from the (Note-Bibliography) format. Here's how you cite dissertations in the author-date format.
Format
Last name, First name. Year. "Title of Dissertation"
Example
Kerry, Alex. 2015. "The multimedia and newspaper importance."
Intext Citation
(Kerry, 2015)
Format
Last-name, First-name. Year. "Title of Dissertation." Database Name, URL.
Example
Kerry, Alex. 2015. "The multimedia and newspaper importance." Australasian Digital Theses Program, http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20431245
Intext Citation
(Kerry, 2015)
Format
Last name, First name. Year. "Title of Dissertation." Dissertation type. University.
Example
Hosking, Barry C. 2010. "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes in Sheep with the Amino-acetonitrile Derivative, Monepantel with a Particular Focus on Australia and New Zealand." PhD diss., Ghent University.
Intext Citation
(Kerry, 2015)
Let's explore the ways you can cite a dissertation in Harvard style with examples.
Format
First Name - Middle & Last name initials Year, Title of thesis, Institution issuing degree.
Example
William, CW 2018, Using a model of emotional self-efficacy in predicting work outcomes, Alliant International University, San Diego.
Intext Citation
(William, 2018)
Format
First Name - Middle & Last name initials Year, Title of thesis, Award, Institution issuing degree, Location of the institution, Database name
Example
Henry, S 2018, Developing of new technologies, Ph.D. thesis, University of California, California, Dissertation Database.
Intext Citation
(Henry, 2018)
Format
First Name - Middle & Last name initials Year, 'Title of thesis in single quotation marks,' Award, Institution issuing degree, Location of the institution.
Example
Harry, L 2017, 'Managing the international weather update,' Ph.D. thesis, Monash University, Melbourne.
Intext Citation
(Harry, 2017)
To Sum Up,
By acknowledging the contributions of others through citations, you demonstrate your engagement with existing research. And sometimes, you have to cite dissertations as well.
This guide explained the accurate and correct way to cite a dissertation in your paper. Whether you are using APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard, you can cite a dissertation accurately by following the examples provided.
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WRITTEN BY
Nova A. (Literature, Marketing)
As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.
As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.
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