If you’re a college or university student, you’ve probably heard about all those tough papers and dissertations. There are many myths about dissertations and how to approach them. The most common myth is about citations. Adding citations may seem tedious and time-consuming but it doesn’t have to be. This article will guide you through citing a dissertation correctly so you can navigate this step smoothly. Also, consider checking out our “do my thesis” service for additional assistance.
A big part of this process is creating a proper reference list entry so that all citation elements such as author names, thesis titles, publication years and university details are included accurately.
What is a Dissertation & Why Do You Need to Use Citations?
A dissertation is a final project required to earn an academic degree such as a master’s or doctoral degree. It involves extensive research and shows your understanding of the subject. Including the thesis title in citations is important as it helps to identify and reference the specific work. Citations are references to other sources you’ve used, necessary for academic integrity. Contrary to popular belief, citations make your work original by clearly distinguishing your ideas from others. Citations validate your arguments and viewpoints, lends credibility to your research. There are different citation styles and the choice depends on your field and instructor’s instructions. Whether you’re writing a dissertation or a high school essay, citations are crucial. For additional resources, check out our “how to write a thesis for a research paper” guide. Also, if you’re facing challenges, you can hire an essay writer from SameDayPapers.
Published theses are important as they are reliable academic sources available in various repositories such as databases, university archives or personal websites. There are several reasons why citations are important:
- Showing thorough research.
- Giving credit to other scholars and authors.
- Avoiding plagiarism.
- Establishing your credibility.
- Helping readers to further explore your topic.
How to Cite a Dissertation in APA Style
APA (American Psychological Association) is used in social sciences. Many dissertations are available through commercial databases like ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. Dissertation titles should be in title case, while document titles should be in sentence case. When citing sources in the text, make sure all details are included. For unpublished dissertations, include the dissertation type and university in brackets. Properly formatting references is important for academic integrity.Elements to include in citations are author, year, title, type of document and university. Add ‘Unpublished’ in the bracketed description for unpublished dissertations. For dissertations available only in print, specify this in the citation. Since there is no specific guidance in the APA manual, adapt the citation format as needed. Citing dissertations in university archives is important for proper attribution.
The basic format for citing dissertations in APA style is author, year, title, type of document and university. The term ‘awarded’ is important in the context of degrees, it means the institution that granted the degree. Include the university at the end of the reference for accuracy. Some citation examples are adapted from previous versions for clarity. Dissertations are about performance, highlighting various factors that affect outcomes.
When citing a secondary source, always cite the original work. For example, ‘Smith, G.’ can be used as a fictional author in a citation. Documents found in personal websites require specific citation method. Unpublished master’s theses should be cited with ‘Unpublished’ in the bracketed description. Including notes in references is important.
Provide formats for both unpublished and published master’s theses. There are various examples of how to cite dissertations. Providing correct citations for different sources is important. Add ‘Unpublished’ in the bracketed description for unpublished dissertations. Personal publications have unique characteristics that should be noted.
Official reports should be cited with proper structure, author, year and title. Cite the original work along with the source where it was referenced. List sources in the reference list according to the guidelines. Knowing the origin of the material when citing is important.
The format for citing a thesis or dissertation is author, year, title, type of document and university. Dissertations are about the impact of various factors on personal growth. Specify the institution that awarded the degree for proper attribution. Format references that include a URL with ‘https’ for secure access. Highlight the creativity and skill involved in specific fields of study.
Including page numbers in citations is important for accuracy. Indicate where dissertations or theses are stored, such as university archives. Adapting examples from previous editions of the APA manual is necessary due to changes in guidelines. Establish guidelines for citing dissertations and theses in a reference list. Therefore, if you have any problems, you can contact our write my capstone project service where professional writers will help you with your assignment.
Format example: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of dissertation/thesis (Type of dissertation). Academic Institution, City, State [or] Country. Publication number if available.
Example: Dunne, N. (2017). Evaluation of psychology clinicians’ attitudes towards computerized cognitive behavior therapy, for use in their future clinical practice, with regard to treating those suffering from anxiety and depression (Ph.D. dissertation, Antioch University, Santa Barbara, California).
How to Cite a Dissertation in MLA Style
MLA (Modern Language Association) style is used in literature and language studies. MLA doesn’t require URLs but does ask for web retrieval indication and access dates.
Format example: Last name, First name M. Title. Type of work. Name of University, Year published. Make sure to include the thesis title in the reference entry for proper citation.
A reference list entry in MLA style is important for academic accuracy as it provides all the details for readers to locate the original source.
Example: Madsen, Kelsey B. Raising Their Voices: Memory, Justice, and Genre in Second-Generation French Literature. Ph.D. diss., University of Oklahoma, 2018. There are various examples of MLA citations to illustrate the correct format for both published and unpublished dissertations.
How to Cite a Dissertation in Chicago Style
Chicago style is used in the Humanities and uses a bibliography system along with footnotes or endnotes. Titles should be fully capitalized. Include the database name if applicable. Ensure each reference is formatted correctly to meet the Chicago style standards. For students seeking affordable dissertation writing services, mastering citation styles like Chicago is essential to maintain academic integrity while managing costs effectively.
Format example: Last, First M. “Title of dissertation.” Master’s thesis or Ph.D. diss. University name, Year. Archive or institutional repository name if applicable. Cite dissertations found in university archives accurately as these sources often contain valuable academic research that must be properly attributed.
Example: Company, Leyla. “Examining Differentiating Characteristics Individuals Who Cross Over Into The Criminal Justice System In Relation To Their Substance Abuse Treatment.” Doctoral dissertation, Georgia State University, 2017.
Here are various examples of Chicago style citations for dissertations:
Example: Smith, John. “The Impact of Social Media on Modern Marketing.” Master’s thesis, Harvard University, 2015. Harvard University Archive.
Example: Doe, Jane. “Climate Change and Its Effects on Coastal Cities.” Ph.D. diss., Stanford University, 2018. Stanford Digital Repository.
Online APA Citation Generators and Checkers
Accurate citations are essential, and several online tools can streamline this task:
- Scribbr: Scribbr has an APA Citation Checker that identifies citation errors, explains them clearly and guides corrections. These tools are helpful especially when the 7th edition of the APA manual lacks specific guidelines for citing sources like dissertation abstracts and conference proceedings. Its free APA Citation Generator creates accurate citations fast.
Common Mistakes in Citing Dissertations
Awareness of common citation errors helps:
- Missing Retrieval Information: Omitting database or repository details, DOI, or URL.
- Omitting Publication Numbers: Essential for identifying published dissertations. Make sure to add necessary details such as the term ‘Unpublished’ in the bracketed description and include the university at the end of the reference.
- Incorrectly Identifying Dissertation Type: Mixing up published and unpublished dissertations, affects citation format. Properly citing original works that have been referenced in secondary sources is important to maintain academic integrity and to help readers find the original material.
Tips for Ensuring Accuracy in Dissertation Citations
Ensuring accuracy in your citations involves:
- Double-checking key details: Verify the author’s name, year, and institution for inclusion in the reference list.
- Proper Formatting: Italicize dissertation titles, and capitalize only the first word, subtitle’s first word, and proper nouns. The basic format for accurate citations includes author names, thesis titles, publication years, university details, and degree types.
Following these guidelines, including specifying the institution awarding the degree, will significantly improve the accuracy and integrity of your dissertation citations.
