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How to Cite a Dissertation?

How to Cite a Dissertation

One of the key requirements of academic writing is citation skills. Dissertations are significant academic contributions and, in most cases, very useful for research. Here is the guide if you want how to cite a dissertation properly. In this article, we discuss several citation styles, including some examples, and share tips on attaining this critical part of writing academically.

In this blog brings you:

Citation of a Dissertation in Several Styles

Citing a dissertation requires detail and attention to the specific citation style guidelines. Each style has its requirements, and it is essential to understand the differences to be academically accurate. Let’s dive into the major citation styles.

How to Cite a Dissertation in APA 7th?

The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is commonly utilized in the social sciences. Its use focuses on accuracy and uniformity in referencing. Below is an example of the format of citing a dissertation using APA 7th edition:

Format:

Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Year. Title of the dissertation (Publication No.) [Doctoral dissertation, Name of University]. Publisher.

Example:

Smith, J. (2020). The impact of technology on education (Publication No. 123456) [Doctoral dissertation, Harvard University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

For unpublished dissertations:

Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Year. Title of the dissertation [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University Name.

For example:
  • Smith, J. 2020. The impact of technology on education [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Harvard University.
  • This will make the reference easily accessible to the reader, published or unpublished.

How to Cite a Dissertation in MLA 9th Edition

  MLA is one of the most popular formats used in humanities and literary analysis. Giving authorial credit and sources is crucial for academic rigour.

Format:

LastName, FirstName. Title of the Dissertation. Year. University, Degree.

For instance:

Smith, John. The Impact of Technology on Education. 2020. Harvard University, PhD dissertation.

For reference from digital databases:

 

Format:

LastName, FirstName. Title of the Dissertation. Year. University, Degree. Database, DOI or URL.

For instance:
  • Smith, John. The Influence of Technology on Education. 2020. Harvard University, PhD dissertation. ProQuest, DOI:10.12345/example.
  • MLA style is flexible when citing online sources, so digital and print resources can be equally important.

How to cite a dissertation in Chicago style

The Chicago Manual of Style provides two systems: notes, bibliography, and author-date. It is used widely across all disciplines because of the numerous detailed formatting options.

Notes and Bibliography Format:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of the Dissertation. PhD diss., University Name, Year.

Example:

Smith, John. The Impact of Technology on Education. PhD diss., Harvard University, 2020.

Author-Date Format:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Year. Title of the Dissertation. PhD diss., University Name.

Example:
  • Smith, John. 2020. The Impact of Technology on Education. PhD diss., Harvard University.
  • This style is very flexible and accommodating to both narrative and academic preferences.

Citing a Dissertation Using Harvard Style

The Harvard referencing style is widely used in the UK and other academic settings. Characterized by its author-date approach, it enables sources to be easily located.

Style:

Author’s Surname, Initials. (Year) Title of the dissertation. Degree, Name of the University. Available at: URL (Accessed: Date).

Example:

 

  • Smith, J. (2020) The impact of technology on education. PhD, Harvard University. Available at: URL (Accessed: 15 December 2024).
  • Harvard includes access dates for online materials, ensuring that all citations remain valid for extended periods.

Guidelines for Citing a Dissertation in AMA Style

The American Medical Association (AMA) format is widely used in medical and scientific fields. Due to its concise and accurate structure, it is best suited for scholarly citations.

Structure:

Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Title of the dissertation. [type of dissertation]. University Name; Year.

Example:

Smith J. The impact of technology on education. [Doctoral dissertation]. Harvard University; 2020.

For online dissertations:

 

Format:

Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Title of the dissertation. [type of dissertation]. University Name; Year. URL.

Example:

Smith J. The impact of technology on education. [Doctoral dissertation]. Harvard University; 2020. URL.

The AMA style ensures that citations do not disrupt the flow of scientific writing since it is brief.

How to Properly Cite a Dissertation

Proper dissertation citation requires strict attention to detail. Here are some helpful suggestions:

  • Follow Vogue Guidelines:  Strictly follow the style guide chosen to ensure consistency.
  • Check the Dissertation: Verify details, such as the title, author, and publication date.
  • Use Citation Tools: Utilize tools like Zotero or EndNote to make the method easier.
  • Verify Database Details: Be sure to verify accuracy when using online resources.
  • Avoid Common Mistakes: Check format and punctuation carefully for errors.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can enhance the credibility of your academic work.

Highlighted Examples

Here are some highlighted examples of dissertation citations in various styles:

  • APA: Smith, J. (2020). The impact of technology on education (Publication No. 123456) [Doctoral dissertation, Harvard University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
  • MLA: Smith, John. The Impact of Technology on Education. 2020. Harvard University, PhD dissertation.
  • Chicago: Smith, John. The Impact of Technology on Education. PhD diss., Harvard University, 2020.
  • AMA: Smith J. The impact of technology on education. [Doctoral dissertation]. Harvard University; 2020. URL.

These examples give a clear and practical reference for various citation styles.

Conclusion

Referring to a dissertation will appear overwhelming, particularly for those unfamiliar with educational analysis practices. However, if approached following correct tips and examples, the method becomes way more manageable. One of the foremost vital aspects is ensuring the treatise is appropriately cited. It’s essential to take care of the desired citation style—whether it’s APA, MLA, or another format—as everyone has their own specific rules for referencing. How to cite a dissertation accurately is crucial in educational work to avoid errors and maintain the believability of your analysis. Incorrect citations will cause plagiarism, which is a significant educational offence.

Using the correct tools and techniques will considerably modify the method of referencing. Several students and researchers suppose citation generators or careful guides to assist in structuring their citations with the proper vogue. These tools ensure that all parts of the citation, like the author’s name, title, year of publication, and alternative details, are properly enclosed. By following the rules and examples provided in this paper, one will confidently use dissertations as a reliable supply for erudite work. Properly citing dissertations ensures educational integrity and conjointly enhances the work’s standard, permitting others to trust and verify the sources used. This application is essential for maintaining expertise in academic analysis.

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