How to Cite a Thesis: The Ultimate Guide for Researchers

Our expert guide covers APA, Harvard, and more to ensure your research is flawless. Avoid plagiarism and boost your academic credibility.

Have you ever considered that the citation in your thesis is more than just a footnote? Learning this one skill can safeguard you from plagiarism and elevate your work into a conversation with the giants of your field.

What is a Thesis Citation?

A citation in a thesis is a formal reference to a source of information you have used in your academic writing. It gives credit to the original author and provides a path for your readers to find that source. Proper citation is the cornerstone of academic integrity, distinguishing your unique contributions from the foundational knowledge you've built upon.

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Perfect Citation

Build Your Academic Voice

Properly citing sources clearly distinguishes your original ideas and analysis from the work of others, highlighting your unique contribution to the field.

Create a Research Trail

Your reference list acts as a map, allowing fellow researchers to trace your steps, verify your claims, and discover new avenues for their own work.

Uphold Ethical Standards

Acknowledging the work of others is the core principle of scholarly integrity. It demonstrates respect for intellectual property and prevents plagiarism.

Anatomy of a Thesis Citation

Understanding the components of a citation is the first step to formatting them correctly. Here’s a visual breakdown of a typical reference for an unpublished dissertation in APA style.

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the doctoral dissertation or master's thesis [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Name of Institution.

Author: Last name and initials.
Year: Year of publication or completion.
Title: Full title, italicized.
Type: Specify if it's a doctoral dissertation or master's thesis.
Institution: The university that awarded the degree.

Data Insights: The Impact of Citation

Citation data reveals interesting trends about how academic work is used. While downloads might indicate interest, citations measure scholarly impact. The data below highlights that getting cited is a significant achievement and varies greatly by discipline.

Data from Dotson (2019), Ohio State University study on ETD citation rates.

Interactive Style Guide

Different fields use different citation styles. Select a tab below to see examples for citing a thesis or dissertation in the most common formats.

APA (7th Edition): The Social Sciences Standard

In-Text Citation: Place the author's surname and year in parentheses. Example: (Smith, 2020).

Reference List (Unpublished):

Smith, J. D. (2020). The impact of digital tools on student learning [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Example.

Reference List (Published from Database):

Smith, J. D. (2020). The impact of digital tools on student learning (Publication No. 12345) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Example]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

Harvard Style: A Staple in UK/Aus Academia

In-Text Citation: Similar to APA, use surname and year. Example: (Smith, 2020).

Reference List:

Smith, J.D. (2020). The impact of digital tools on student learning. PhD thesis. University of Example.

MLA (9th Edition): The Humanities Choice

In-Text Citation: Use the author's surname and page number if applicable. Example: (Smith 112).

Works Cited List:

Smith, John David. The Impact of Digital Tools on Student Learning. 2020. University of Example, PhD dissertation.

Chicago (17th Edition): Notes and Bibliography

Footnote:

1. John David Smith, "The Impact of Digital Tools on Student Learning" (PhD diss., University of Example, 2020), 45.

Bibliography:

Smith, John David. "The Impact of Digital Tools on Student Learning." PhD diss., University of Example, 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

You must include the URL or the name of the database where you found it. Most styles, like APA, have a specific format for this which usually involves adding the URL at the end of the reference or using the database name.

A published dissertation will often have a publication number and be available through a commercial database (like ProQuest). An unpublished one is typically cited with the university as the publisher and may be noted as "[Unpublished...]" in the reference.

Yes, but you should prioritize citing peer-reviewed journal articles when possible. A Master's thesis is considered "grey literature" and may not carry the same weight as a peer-reviewed publication, but it can be valuable for novel research or specific data.

Choose the most common style in your field of research (e.g., APA for psychology, IEEE for engineering) and use it consistently. The key is consistency. If you're unsure, consulting a librarian or a service like ResearcherLab is a great next step.

Feeling Overwhelmed?

Staring at a mountain of sources? Wondering if your Harvard or APA formatting is correct? You don't have to do it alone. At ResearcherLab, we're your research partners, ready to help you perfect every citation.

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