How to Reference a Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide for Students

When it comes to academic writing, proper referencing is essential. A dissertation is a significant academic document; citing it correctly ensures you give credit where it's due and comply with academic integrity guidelines. Whether you are referencing your dissertation or citing someone else's, this guide will help you do so correctly in various citation styles. Below, we will explore how to reference a dissertation in APA, MLA, Harvard, and Chicago styles, along with practical examples and common mistakes to avoid.

What is a Dissertation?

A dissertation, sometimes called a thesis in certain countries, is a long piece of academic writing based on original research. It's often a requirement for obtaining a doctorate but it can also be written at the master’s level. The process of writing a dissertation involves several stages, including proposal writing, research, data analysis, and drafting the final document.

Dissertations are typically lengthy, ranging from 10,000 to over 100,000 words, depending on the academic level and discipline. Due to their size and complexity, they are often regarded as one of the most challenging academic works to reference.

Why Proper Referencing Matters

Referencing a dissertation is crucial for several reasons:

1. Academic Integrity: Citing your sources properly prevents plagiarism.
2. Credibility: Proper citations strengthen your arguments by acknowledging the work of scholars and researchers.
3. Reader Guidance: Referencing allows your readers to trace the sources you used, offering a pathway to further research.

Let's explore how to reference a dissertation in different citation styles.

APA Style: How to Reference a Dissertation

The American Psychological Association (APA) style is one of the most widely used citation formats. Dissertations are cited differently based on whether they are published or unpublished.

Published Dissertation in APA

When referencing a published dissertation, the following format is used:

Author’s Last Name, First Initial(s). (Year). Title of dissertation [Doctoral dissertation, University Name]. Name of Database. URL

Example:

Smith, J. A. (2021). Exploring social behavior in urban environments [Doctoral dissertation, University of Oxford]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

Unpublished Dissertation in APA

For an unpublished dissertation, omit the database and the URL:

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

Example:

Johnson, L. T. (2020). Impact of climate change on marine ecosystems [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of California, Berkeley.

MLA Style: How to Reference a Dissertation

In the Modern Language Association (MLA) format, dissertations are treated as books. Here's how you cite them:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Dissertation. Year. University, Type of Dissertation.

Example:

Miller, Sarah A. The Role of Political Ideology in Public Policy Formation. 2019. University of Chicago, PhD dissertation.

In-text Citation in MLA

For in-text citations, use the author’s last name and page number:

(Miller 56)

Harvard Style: How to Reference a Dissertation

The Harvard referencing style is commonly used in the UK and Australia. The format for referencing a dissertation in Harvard style is as follows:

Author’s Last Name, First Initial(s). (Year) Title of Dissertation. Level of Qualification, University Name.

Example:

Brown, M. R. (2022) Digital literacy in higher education. PhD thesis, University of Melbourne.

In-text Citation in Harvard

For in-text citations in Harvard style, use the author’s surname and the year of publication:

(Brown, 2022)

Chicago Style: How to Reference a Dissertation

In the Chicago style, dissertations are cited differently depending on whether you are using the Notes and Bibliography system or the Author-Date system. Below is an example for the Bibliography system.

Published Dissertation in Chicago

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Dissertation. Type of Dissertation, University, Year.

Example:

Green, Emily. Social Dynamics in Remote Communities. PhD diss., University of Toronto, 2018.

Unpublished Dissertation in Chicago

For unpublished dissertations, use the following format:

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

Example:

Davis, Robert. Advances in Quantum Computing. Unpublished PhD diss., Harvard University, 2021.

In-text Citation in Chicago

In the Notes and Bibliography system, in-text citations use footnotes or endnotes. Here's how to format the footnote for a dissertation:

Footnote Example:

1. Emily Green, Social Dynamics in Remote Communities (PhD diss., University of Toronto, 2018), 45.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Referencing a Dissertation

While referencing a dissertation is relatively straightforward, some common mistakes can occur. Avoid these errors to ensure your references are accurate:

1. Incorrect Formatting: Each citation style has specific rules for capitalizing titles, listing page numbers, and formatting publication dates. Double-check your formatting against the citation guide.
2. Not Identifying Published vs. Unpublished Dissertations: Make sure you distinguish between a published dissertation (found in databases) and an unpublished one, as the citation formats differ.
3. Missing Key Information: Essential details such as the author’s name, title of the dissertation, university name, and the year of publication should never be omitted.
4. Inconsistent Style: Stick to one citation style throughout your document. Mixing styles can make your work appear unprofessional.

Tips for Managing Dissertation References

Managing dissertation references can be tedious, especially for lengthy academic projects. Here are a few tips to help you stay organized:

• Use Citation Management Tools: Tools like EndNote, Zotero, and Mendeley help you organize references and generate citations in various formats.
• Double-check with Style Guides: Always refer to the latest edition of the style manual you’re using to ensure accuracy.
• Keep Notes on Each Source: Document key information about each source while conducting research. This will make citation much easier when drafting your dissertation.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of referencing a dissertation can save you from the perils of plagiarism and bolster the academic quality of your work. Whether you are working with APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago styles, following the guidelines outlined in this article will ensure that your dissertation references are accurate and professional. Proper referencing demonstrates not only your attention to detail but also your respect for the intellectual contributions of others.