Correctly referencing a dissertation is crucial in academic writing, whether you're the author or citing another researcher's work. Citation styles vary based on academic fields, institutions, and publications. In this guide, we explore how to reference a dissertation using APA, MLA, Chicago, and other popular citation styles. Each style has its nuances, so let’s break them down with examples.

APA Citation Style for Dissertations

The APA (American Psychological Association) citation style is frequently used in social sciences. In APA format, the dissertation is treated similarly to a book or article, but with special formatting for authorship and publication details. Here’s how to reference a dissertation using APA style:

Format:

Author's Last Name, Initials. (Year). Title of the dissertation (Publication number). [Doctoral dissertation, University Name]. Publisher.

Example:

Smith, J. (2019). The effects of social media on youth mental health (Publication No. 123456). [Doctoral dissertation, University of California]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

In-text citation: (Smith, 2019).

When using APA, it’s important to include all relevant information, such as the publication number, if available, and to use italics for the dissertation title.

MLA Citation Style for Dissertations

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is common in the humanities, particularly in literature and cultural studies. The MLA style has a more simplified approach, where you don’t need to include the publication number or medium.

Format:

Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of the Dissertation. University Name, Year of Publication.

Example:

Johnson, Emily. Exploring Feminist Narratives in Contemporary Literature. University of Chicago, 2020.

In-text citation: (Johnson 45).

The main focus in MLA is on simplicity and clarity, so the title of the dissertation is italicized, and university and year details are provided without excessive formatting.

Chicago Style for Dissertations

Chicago style is widely used in history, business, and fine arts. It offers two citation formats: the Notes and Bibliography system and the Author-Date system. For dissertations, Chicago is quite detailed, particularly in Notes and Bibliography format.

Chicago Notes and Bibliography Format

Format:

Author's Full Name. Title of Dissertation. PhD diss., University Name, Year.

Example:

Brown, Lisa. Urban Development and Its Impact on Public Policy. PhD diss., Harvard University, 2018.

In-text citation (note): 1. Lisa Brown, Urban Development and Its Impact on Public Policy (PhD diss., Harvard University, 2018).

Chicago Author-Date Format

Format:

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

Example:

Brown, Lisa. 2018. Urban Development and Its Impact on Public Policy. PhD diss., Harvard University.

In-text citation: (Brown 2018).

The Chicago style provides a detailed and structured way to cite dissertations, particularly when writing in a field that prioritizes historical accuracy and reference tracking.

Harvard Citation Style for Dissertations

The Harvard referencing style is popular in many academic fields, especially in the UK and Australia. It is similar to APA but with slight differences in the arrangement and use of punctuation.

Format:

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

Example:

Williams, P. (2017) Climate Change Policies in Emerging Markets, PhD thesis, University of Cambridge.

In-text citation: (Williams, 2017).

In Harvard style, the focus is on keeping the citation clear and accessible, emphasizing the year and title of the dissertation.

Vancouver Citation Style for Dissertations

The Vancouver style is used primarily in the medical and scientific communities. Its citation approach is highly specific and numerical, as references are numbered in the order they appear in the text.

Format:

Author's Last Name Initials. Title of Dissertation [dissertation]. University Name; Year.

Example:

Clark TM. Study of Gene Expression in Cancerous Cells [dissertation]. Stanford University; 2016.

In-text citation: (1).

In Vancouver style, citations are succinct and numbered, with a focus on brevity and clarity in academic and clinical papers.

Tips for Citing a Dissertation Correctly

When citing a dissertation, always remember to:

  • Follow the specific guidelines of your citation style: Each style has distinct rules for formatting, so be precise.
  • Check for any special institutional requirements: Universities may have their own modifications to standard citation styles.
  • Use accurate publication information: Include the correct dissertation title, university name, and year.
  • Be mindful of electronic dissertations: Many dissertations are now accessible online. In these cases, include a link to the document if required by the style.

When to Cite a Dissertation

Citing a dissertation is essential when referring to an original piece of academic research. Dissertations can provide valuable insight, particularly in niche academic areas or emerging fields where published journal articles may be scarce. Ensure you follow the proper citation style to give credit to the original author while maintaining the academic integrity of your work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, correctly citing a dissertation is essential to academic writing and varies depending on the citation style you are using. Whether it's APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, or Vancouver, each format has specific rules for presenting author names, titles, universities, and publication years. Always ensure accuracy and consistency in your references to maintain academic integrity and avoid plagiarism.