How To Cite PhD Dissertation: Citation & References Guide For Thesis

One of the major issues with writing academic work is citation. It can be difficult to get things right, especially if you are new, or you have walked away for a long time from academic work. One of the popular documents to cite is a PhD dissertation, so it may be good to catch up on how to cite PhD dissertation.

In this post, we explore how you can cite a PhD dissertation in various popular formats. Learn the formula, and see samples of how to cite PhD dissertation.

APA 

APA stands for American Psychological Association. When you need to cite a PhD dissertation in APA referencing guide, both in-text and in your references, a few insider tips can make the process smoother. 

In-text citation requires just:

• the author’s last name, and
• the year of publication, enclosed in parentheses.

For example, you would write (Smith, 2020) to reference a dissertation completed that year.

For unpublished theses from a database such as ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, use the term “Unpublished doctoral dissertation.” Include the name of the awarding institution and the database URL.

For example, an entry might read:

Smith, J. A. (2020). Exploring innovative approaches in environmental science (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Green Earth. Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

Remember, if the dissertation is from an institutional repository, include a direct URL to the thesis, omitting the database name.

This level of detail ensures your citation is not only correct but also leads readers directly to the source, a crucial aspect often overlooked in citation guides.

While tools like ProQuest and university library guides offer extensive listings, they can sometimes lack the specific nuances of APA style for each type of thesis, making these insider details invaluable for your scholarly work.

MLA

Citing a PhD dissertation in MLA style differs notably from APA and requires attention to unique details. In-text citations are streamlined, usually involving the author’s surname and the page number, if applicable.

For instance, a citation might look like this: (Smith 45).

For dissertations retrieved from databases like ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, include the phrase “ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global,” and then provide the direct URL or the publication number if the URL is not available.

An entry might look like this: “ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, 10169573.”

Here’s an example: 

“Smith, John A. The Depth of Ecology: Unearthing New Grounds. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Nature, 2020. University Institutional Repository, www.universityofnature.edu/repository/smith2020.”

What often remains under-discussed in standard citation style guides is how to cite a thesis available directly from a university’s institutional repository.

In such cases, after the title and institution, you should include “University Institutional Repository” and then provide the direct URL, omitting the database name.

Chicago

Chicago style guidelines are also less complicated than some other styles. For in-text citations, Chicago citation needs two things: 

• author-date or notes and
• bibliography.

If you choose author-date, you’ll mention the author’s last name and the publication year in parentheses, like this: (Smith 2020). With notes and bibliography, you’ll use a footnote or endnote for the first citation, providing full details.

Here is an example:

Smith, John A. 2020. “Exploring Innovative Approaches in Environmental Science.” PhD diss., University of Green Earth.

For a footnote or endnote, the first citation would look like this:

John A. Smith, “Exploring Innovative Approaches in Environmental Science” (PhD diss., University of Green Earth, 2020), 45.

Here’s the footnote breakdown:

• Number. The footnote begins with the number corresponding to the reference.
• Author’s Name. In notes, the author’s name is in normal order (first name, then last name).
• Title of the Dissertation. Like in the bibliography, but followed by the type of paper in parentheses.
• Institution and Year. The name of the institution followed by the year in parentheses.
• Page Number. The specific page number referenced, after a comma.

Subsequent citations in the notes can be shortened to include just the author’s last name, a shortened title, and the page number.

Harvard

For Harvard referencing style guide, things are a little easier. The Harvard citation style, often referred to as the author-date system, is one of the most widely used referencing methods in academic writing.

For in-text, you will cite by mentioning the author’s surname and the year of completion, like so: e.g (Smith, 2020). This simplicity in text allows for a seamless reading experience.

The simple formula you can follow is:

Author’s Surname, Initial(s). (Year of Publication). Title of the Thesis in Italics. Designation of the thesis (i.e., Unpublished PhD thesis). Name of the Institution.

Here is an example:

Smith, J.A. (2020). Exploring innovative approaches in environmental science. Unpublished PhD thesis. University of Green Earth.

Such nuances, often overlooked in broader Harvard style guides, are crucial. They ensure that your citations not only adhere to the Harvard style but are also informative, directing readers to the original source with precision.

How To Cite PhD Dissertation & Thesis: Citation Done Right

Citing a PhD dissertation requires adherence to specific citation styles like APA, MLA, or Chicago. Whether unpublished or retrieved from a database, each doctoral thesis must be cited accurately, with attention to details like the author’s name, publication year, and institution.

These guide provide clear frameworks, ensuring each citation acknowledges the scholarly work and contributes to the academic discourse. Remember, the integrity of your research hinges on how meticulously you cite these vital sources.