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How to Cite a Thesis/Dissertation in Chicago/Turabian
Academic theses and dissertations can be a good source of information when writing your own paper. They are usually accessed via a university’s database or a third party database, or found on the web. The main difference between a thesis and a dissertation is the degree type they are submitted for:
- Thesis—A document submitted to earn a degree, such as a master’s degree, at a university.
- Dissertation—A document submitted to earn an advanced degree, such as a doctorate, at a university.
This guide will show you how to create notes-bibliography style citations for theses and dissertations in a variety of formats using the 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style.
Guide Overview
- Citing a thesis or dissertation from a database
- Citing a thesis or dissertation from the web
- Citing an unpublished thesis or dissertation
Citing a Thesis or Dissertation from a Database
Citation structure.
1. First name Last name, “Title” (master’s thesis or PhD diss., University Name, year published), page number, Database (Identification Number).
Bibliography:
Last name, First name. “Title.” Master’s thesis or PhD diss., University Name, year published. Database (Identification Number).
Citation Example
1. Kimberly Knight, “Media Epidemics: Viral Structures in Literature and New Media” (PhD diss., University of California, Santa Barbara, 2011), 17, MLA International Bibliography (2013420395).
Knight, Kimberly. “Media Epidemics: Viral Structures in Literature and New Media.” PhD diss., University of California, Santa Barbara, 2011. MLA International Bibliography (2013420395).
Citing a Thesis or Dissertation from the Web
1. First name Last name, “Title” (master’s thesis or PhD diss., University Name, year published), page number, URL.
Last name, First name. “Title.” Master’s thesis or PhD diss., University Name, year published. URL.
1. Peggy Lynn Wilson, “Pedagogical Practices in the Teaching of English Language in Secondary Public Schools in Parker County” (PhD diss., University of Maryland, College Park, 2011), 25, https://drum.lib.umd.edu/bitstream/1903/11801/1/Wilson_umd_0117E_12354.pdf.
Wilson, Peggy Lynn. “Pedagogical Practices in the Teaching of English Language in Secondary Public Schools in Parker County.” PhD diss., University of Maryland, College Park, 2011. https://drum.lib.umd.edu/bitstream/1903/11801/1/Wilson_umd_0117E_12354.pdf.
Citing an Unpublished Thesis or Dissertation
In rare cases, you may need to cite a thesis or dissertation that has not yet been published. This is particularly the case if you want to cite your own work or the work of a colleague.
1. First name Last name, “Title” (unpublished manuscript, Month Day, Year last modified), format.
Last name, First name. “Title.” Unpublished manuscript, last modified Month Day, Year. Format.
1. John Doe, “A Study of Generic Topic” (unpublished manuscript, June 19, 2021), Microsoft Word file.
Doe, John. “A Study of Generic Topic.” Unpublished manuscript, last modified June 19, 2021. Microsoft Word file.
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Theses & Dissertations
Citing a published thesis, citing an unpublished thesis, citing a thesis in online database or repository.
- CMS 14.224: Theses and dissertations
Titles of unpublished works appear in "quotation marks"—not in italics . This treatment extends to theses and dissertations, which are otherwise cited like books.
The kind of thesis, the academic institution, and the date follow the title. Like the publication data of a book, these are enclosed in parentheses in a note but not in a bibliography.
If the document was consulted online, include a URL or, for documents retrieved from a commercial database, give the name of the database and, in parentheses, any identification number supplied or recommended by the database.
For dissertations issued on microfilm, see 14.120 . For published abstracts of dissertations, see 14.197 .
Note-Bibliography
First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," (Publisher, Year).
Mihwa Choi, “Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty,” PhD diss., (University of Chicago, 2008).
Short Note:
Last-name, "Title of Thesis."
Choi. “Contesting Imaginaires ."
Bibliography Entry:
Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Year.
Choi, Mihwa. “Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty.” PhD diss. University of Chicago, 2008.
Author-Date
Text Citation:
(Last-name Year)
(Mihwa 2008)
Reference Entry:
Last-name, First-name. Year. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle."
Choi, Mihwa. 2008. “Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty.” PhD diss. University of Chicago.
Note -Bibliography
Note #. First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," Unpublished thesis type, University. Year.
Barry C. Hosking, "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes in Sheep with the Amino-acetonitrile Derivative, Monepantel with a Particular Focus on Australia and New Zealand," PhD diss., (Ghent University, 2010).
Note #. Last-name,"Title of Thesis."
Barry C. Hosking, "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes."
Bibliography:
Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Unpublished thesis type. University. Year.
Hosking, Barry C. "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes in Sheep with the Amino-acetonitrile Derivative, Monepantel with a Particular Focus on Australia and New Zealand." PhD diss., Ghent University, 2010.
(Hosking 2010)
Last-name, First-name. Year. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Unpublished thesis type. University.
Hosking, Barry C. 2010. "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes in Sheep with the Amino-acetonitrile Derivative, Monepantel with a Particular Focus on Australia and New Zealand." PhD diss., Ghent University.
Note #. First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," Database Name (Identifier if given), Year, Internet address.
12. Meredith Stewart, "An Investigation into Aspects of the Replication of Jembrana Disease Virus, " Australasian Digital Theses Program (WMU2005.1222), 2005, http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20051222.104106.
Note #. Last-name, "Title of Thesis."
21. Stewart, "An Investigation into Aspects."
Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Database Name (Identifier if given), Year. Internet address.
Stewart, Meredith. "An Investigation into Aspects of the Replication of Jembrana Disease Virus ." Australasian Digital Theses Program (WMU2005.1222), 2005. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20051222.104106.
(Stewart 2005)
Last-name, First-name. Year. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Database Name (Identifier if given), Internet address.
Stewart, Meredith. 2005. "An Investigation into Aspects of the Replication of Jembrana Disease Virus ." Australasian Digital Theses Program (WMU2005.1222), http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20051222.104106.
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Citation Help: Dissertations & Theses
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A quick note:
The following examples follow the Notes-Bibliography style. For Author-Date style, please consult The Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition.
Chicago AND Turabian Citation Examples: Dissertations & Theses
Chicago and Turabian use the exact same format for citing dissertations and theses.
Important Elements:
- Author
- Title of Dissertation or Thesis
- Type of Document (Dissertation or Thesis)
- Name of Degree Granting Institution
Thesis or dissertation
1. Author First Last, "Title of Dissertation or Theis" (Doctoral diss. or Master's Thesis, Name of Institution, Year), pp.-pp.
1. Dana S. Levin, "Let's Talk about Sex . . . Education: Exploring Youth Perspectives, Implicit Messages, and Unexamined Implications of Sex Education in Schools" (PhD diss., University of Michigan, 2010), 101-2.
Shortened note
2. Author Last, "Shortened Title," pp.
2. Levin, "Let's Talk about Sex," 98.
Bibliography Entry
Author Last, First. "Title of Dissertation or Thesis." Doctoral diss. or Master's Thesis, Name of Institution, Year.
Levin, Dana S. "Let's Talk about Sex . . . Education: Exploring Youth Perspectives, Implicit Messages, and Unexamined Implications of Sex Education in Schools." PhD diss., University of Michigan, 2010.
Examples courtesy of The Turabian 8th edition .
Chicago/Turabian Examples by Source
- Articles
- Audio & Video
- Books
- Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
- Dissertations & Theses
- Websites, Including Social Media
- Other Source Types
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Chicago Citation Style, 17th Edition: Thesis or Dissertation
- Bibliography
- One Author or Editor
- Multiple Authors or Editors
- Author and Editor
- Author and Translator
- Organization as Author
- Anonymous Work
- Chapter from an Edited Work
- Multivolume Work
- Edition Other than the First
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- Thesis or Dissertation
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- Plagiarism This link opens in a new window
Thesis or Dissertation (14.215)
Example 1 – Print
N: 1. Lindsey Bingley, "From Overalls to Aprons? The Paid and Unpaid Labour of Southern Alberta Women, 1939-1959" (master's thesis, University of Lethbridge, 2006), 58.
B: Bingley, Lindsey. "From Overalls to Aprons? The Paid and Unpaid Labour of Southern Alberta Women, 1939-1959." Master's thesis, University of Lethbridge, 2006.
Example 2 – Online (Commercial Database)
N: 1. Libra Rose Hilde, "Worth a Dozen Men: Women, Nursing, and Medical Care during the American Civil War" (PhD diss., Harvard University, 2003), 295, ProQuest ( 3091579).
B: Hilde, Libra Rose. "Worth a Dozen Men: Women, Nursing, and Medical Care during the American Civil War." PhD diss., Harvard University, 2003. ProQuest (3091579).
Example 3 – Online (Institutional Repository)
N: 1. Hiroshi Ishida, "A Geography of Contemporary Maori Agriculture." (PhD diss., University of Auckland, 1966), 110-16, https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/handle/2292/2489.
B: Ishida, Hiroshi. "A Geography of Contemporary Maori Agriculture" PhD diss., University of Auckland, 1966. https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/handle/2292/2489.
Help & Guide Contents
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Chicago 17th edition notes and bibliography
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Citing theses
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Titles of theses and dissertations appear in quotation marks otherwise they are cited like books.
The kind of thesis, the academic institution, and the date follow the title. Like the publication data of a book, these are enclosed in parentheses in a note but not in a bibliography.
If the document was consulted online, include a URL or, for documents retrieved from a commercial database, the name of the database and, in parentheses, any identification number supplied or recommended by the database.
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Chicago Style Citation Guide | Templates & Citation Examples
Notes and bibliography is the most common type of Chicago style citation, and the main focus of this article. It is widely used in the humanities. Citations are placed in footnotes or endnotes , with a Chicago style bibliography listing your sources in full at the end.
Author-date style is mainly used in the sciences. It uses parenthetical in-text citations , always accompanied by a reference list at the end.
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Table of contents
Citing sources with notes (notes and bibliography), chicago note citation examples (notes and bibliography), creating a chicago style bibliography (notes and bibliography), chicago author-date style, frequently asked questions about chicago style citation.
To cite sources in Chicago notes and bibliography style, place a superscript number at the end of a sentence or clause, after the punctuation mark, corresponding to a numbered footnote or endnote .
Footnotes appear at the bottom of each page, while endnotes appear at the end of the text. Choose one or the other and use it consistently.
Most word-processing programs can automatically link your superscript numbers and notes.
Full notes vs. short notes
Citations can take the form of full notes or short notes. Full notes provide complete source information, while short notes include only the author’s last name, the source title, and the page number(s) of the cited passage. The usual rule is to use a full note for the first citation of each source, and a short note for subsequent citations of the same source.
Guidelines can vary across fields, though; sometimes you might be required to use full notes every time, or conversely to use short notes every time, as long as all your sources are listed in the bibliography. It’s best to check with your instructor if you’re unsure which rule to follow.
Multiple authors in Chicago notes
When a source has multiple authors, list up to three in your note citations. When there are four or more, use “ et al. ” (Latin for “and others”).
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A Chicago footnote or endnote citation always contains the author’s name and the title of the source. The other elements vary by the type of source you’re citing.
Page number(s) should be included if you are referring to a specific part of the text. The elements of the citation are separated by commas , and the note always ends with a period. The page range is separated by an en dash .
Navigate through the Chicago citation examples using the tabs below.
- Book chapter
- Journal article
When citing a book , if an edition is specified, include it in abbreviated form (e.g., 2nd ed.). If the book was accessed online, add a URL.
When citing a chapter from a multi-authored book, start with details of the chapter, followed by details of the book.
To cite a journal article , you need to specify the volume and issue as well as the date. It’s best to use a DOI instead of a URL.
Web pages often have no author or date specified. If the author is unknown, start with the title in a full note, and use the website name as author in a short note. If the publication date is unknown, include the date you accessed the information (e.g., accessed on March 12, 2022).
The bibliography lists full references for all your sources. It appears at the end of your paper (before any appendices ).
Author names are inverted in the bibliography, and sources are alphabetized by author last name. Each source is listed on a new line, with a hanging indent applied to sources that run over onto multiple lines.
If a source has multiple authors, list up to 10 in the bibliography. If there are 11 or more, list the first seven followed by “et al.”
When to include a bibliography
It is not mandatory to include a bibliography if you have cited your sources with full notes. However, it is recommended to include one in most cases, with the exception of very short texts with few sources.
Check with your instructor if you’re not sure whether to include one.
Chicago style bibliography examples (notes and bibliography)
Bibliography entries vary in format according to source type. Formats and examples for some common source types are shown below.
In the (social) sciences, you may be told to use author-date style instead. In this style, citations appear in parentheses in the text.
Unlike note citations, author-date citations look the same for all source types .
Reference list
Author-date citations are always accompanied by a reference list. The reference list is similar to a bibliography: It appears at the end of your text and lists all your sources in full.
The only difference is that the publication year comes straight after the author name, to match with the in-text citations. For example, the book reference from above looks like this in author-date style.
Chicago Author-Date Quick Guide
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In a Chicago style footnote , list up to three authors. If there are more than three, name only the first author, followed by “ et al. “
In the bibliography , list up to 10 authors. If there are more than 10, list the first seven followed by “et al.”
The same rules apply in Chicago author-date style .
To automatically generate accurate Chicago references, you can use Scribbr’s free Chicago reference generator .
In a Chicago footnote citation , when the author of a source is unknown (as is often the case with websites ), start the citation with the title in a full note. In short notes and bibliography entries, list the organization that published it as the author.
In Chicago author-date style , treat the organization as author in your in-text citations and reference list.
When an online source does not list a publication date, replace it with an access date in your Chicago footnotes and your bibliography :
If you are using author-date in-text citations , or if the source was not accessed online, replace the date with “n.d.”
Page numbers should be included in your Chicago in-text citations when:
- You’re quoting from the text.
- You’re paraphrasing a particular passage.
- You’re referring to information from a specific section.
When you’re referring to the overall argument or general content of a source, it’s unnecessary to include page numbers.
In Chicago notes and bibliography style , the usual standard is to use a full note for the first citation of each source, and short notes for any subsequent citations of the same source.
However, your institution’s guidelines may differ from the standard rule. In some fields, you’re required to use a full note every time, whereas in some other fields you can use short notes every time, as long as all sources are listed in your bibliography . If you’re not sure, check with your instructor.
In Chicago author-date style , your text must include a reference list . It appears at the end of your paper and gives full details of every source you cited.
In notes and bibliography style, you use Chicago style footnotes to cite sources; a bibliography is optional but recommended. If you don’t include one, be sure to use a full note for the first citation of each source.
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How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in Chicago Author–Date Referencing
2-minute read
- 17th May 2020
Want to reference someone else’s thesis or dissertation in your own work ? This can be useful if you are working on an unusual topic where little research has been published or when you know someone who wrote their final master’s or PhD piece on the same topic you are studying.
As with any source, though, you’ll need to cite it properly. Check out our guide to find out how this works in Chicago author–date referencing.
How to Format In-text Citations
In author–date Chicago referencing , you cite a thesis or dissertation by giving the author’s surname and the date of completion in brackets. For instance, we could cite a source by “Carter” from 2001 like this:
Citing your sources is very important (Carter 2001).
If you’re quoting a thesis or dissertation, meanwhile, you should include the page number in your citation:
Place quotes “within quote marks” (Carter 2001, 65).
You will then give the full source information in your reference list.
Reference List Entry for a Thesis or Dissertation
In the reference list at the end of your paper, the basic format for a thesis or dissertation is:
Author Surname, First Name. Year of completion. “Title.” Type of paper, academic institution, year of completion. URL/database ID (if applicable).
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For instance, the entry for a master’s dissertation would look like this:
Carter, Susan. 2001. “Citing Sources.” Master’s diss., University of Learning.
For an online version of a document, make sure to add the URL, too:
Johnson, Luke. 2012. “The Joy of Writing.” PhD diss., University of Learning. http://www.uol.ac.uk/archive/phd/johnson-10122017-final.pdf.
If you’ve only referred to an abstract rather than a full dissertation or thesis, meanwhile, you can simply add this detail after the title:
Carter, Susan. 2001. “Citing Sources.” Abstract. Master’s diss., University of Learning.
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Chicago Referencing Guide
- Notes - basic patterns
- Bibliography - basic patterns
- Chapters and other parts of a book
- Journal articles
- Magazine articles
- Newspaper articles
- Reference works
Thesis - general pattern
Thesis, dissertation or exegesis, type of thesis.
- Social media
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- Tables - Examples
- Figures - Examples
Bibliography:
Thesis and dissertation can mean different things, depending on which institution the work is from.
At Auckland University of Technology (and other NZ universities):
- Thesis is used either for a doctoral or a master's degree.
- Dissertation is used either for a master's or a bachelor's degree with honours.
- Exegesis is the written component of a practice-based thesis where the major output is a creative work; e.g. a film, artwork, novel.
In some other parts of the world, such as the United States, a dissertation may be used for a doctoral degree and a thesis used for a master's degree. You can use the same citation pattern, no matter what the type of thesis is called.
List the type of thesis as it appears on the title page, but abbreviate dissertation as diss .
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Cite A Dissertation in Chicago Manual of Style citation style
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Notes-Bibliography Format
Reference list.
Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.
In-text citation
Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.
Author-Date Format
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Legal, Public and Unpublished Materials
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General Guidelines for Public and Unpublished Materials
Notes and bibliographic entries for public documents, like other documents, should include the elements needed to locate the items. These essential elements often include the following:
- Country, city, state, province, county, etc.
- Legislative body, executive department, court, bureau, board commission or committee, etc.
- Subsidiary divisions
- Title, if any, of the document or collection
- Individual author (editor or compiler), if given
- Report number or any other identification necessary or useful in finding the specific document
- Publisher, if different from issuing body
Footnote or Endnote (N):
1. Firstname Lastname, “Title of Document” (source type identifier, Place of Publication, year of publication), page number(s).
Corresponding Bibliographic Entry (B):
Legal Materials and Government Documents
Legal materials and other government documents should be cited using footnotes, endnotes, and/or citation sentences (with clauses including the same information required in a footnote). Print copies of the sources tend to be preferred to digital, though verified digital sources are acceptable.
When writing for law journals or other legal publications, these sources are not usually required to be cited in a bibliography or on a references page. Citation sentences alone are an acceptable form of citation, so long as the document has only a few legal citations (for more information, see The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed., sections 14.269-305 and 15.58.)
Court Decisions and Cases
Notes for court cases should include case name, number, volume number, abbreviated name(s) of reporter, and, in parentheses, the abbreviated name of the court and the date. Case names written in full are typeset in roman, while in subsequent shortened citations the short form of the case name is italicized. Citations are assumed to refer to decisions as a whole unless a particular page is cited using “at” (see example 3 below). The CMOS offers the following note examples in section 14.276:
United States v. Christmas, 222 F.3d 141, 145 (4th Cir. 2000).
Profit Sharing Plan v. Mbank Dallas, N.A., 683 F. Supp. 592 (N.D. Tex. 1988).
Christmas, 222 F.3d at 145. The court also noted that under United States v. Sokolow, 490 U.S. 1, 7 (1989), police may briefly detain a person without probable cause if the officer believes criminal activity “may be afoot.” Christmas, 222 F.3d at 143; see also Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968).
Theses and Dissertations
Thesis and dissertation titles appear in quotation marks, not in italics, but are cited in all other ways like books. Include name, title, type of document, academic institution, and date, in that order. If the item was found online, include a URL or DOI (see guidelines for citing online sources ).
1. Tara Hostetler, “Bodies at War: Bacteriology and the Carrier Narratives of ‘Typhoid Mary’” (master’s thesis, Florida State University, 2007), 15-16.
Hostetler, Tara. "Bodies at War: Bacteriology and the Carrier Narratives of ‘Typhoid Mary.’” Master’s thesis, Florida State University, 2007.
Letters and Unpublished Manuscripts
Letters and unpublished materials that have not been archived may be cited like other unpublished material, with information on location replaced by wording such as “private collection of Trinity Overmyer” or “in the author’s possession.” The location is not mentioned.
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Dissertation (thesis): how to cite in Chicago Style – notes and bibliography (17th ed.)?
Create a spot-on reference in chicago 17 and 16, general rules.
Citing dissertations, master's theses, etc. under the requirements of The Chicago Manual of Style is specific due to the particularities of this type of source. Thus, a bibliographic reference should include the university responsible for the preparation and defense of the work and the type of work. The title of the dissertation is put between quotation marks. Use the following templates for references:
Reference in a bibliography:
Author . " Title ." Work type , University , year . URL .
Author , " Title " ( work type , University , year ), number of the cited page , URL .
Short note:
Author , " Title ," number of the cited page .
For a dissertation published online, it is allowed to indicate the database from which it is available and its publication number in the database instead of the URL address.
To order and indicate correctly all reference elements, we recommend using our online reference generator .
Examples of references in a bibliography
Bolton, Emma Victoria. "The Barriers and Facilitators to Stopping Inappropriate Medicines ('Deprescribing') for Older People Living in Care Homes." PhD thesis, University of Leeds, 2020. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/27649/ .
Alotaibi, Sarah. "A Biophysically-Based Skin Reflectance Model for Face Analysis." PhD thesis, University of York, 2019. White Rose eTheses Online.
Examples of notes
1. Emma Victoria Bolton, "The Barriers and Facilitators to Stopping Inappropriate Medicines ('Deprescribing') for Older People Living in Care Homes" (PhD thesis, University of Leeds, 2020), 11, http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/27649/ .
2. Sarah Alotaibi, "A Biophysically-Based Skin Reflectance Model for Face Analysis" (PhD thesis, University of York, 2019), 41, White Rose eTheses Online.
3. Bolton, "Stopping Inappropriate Medicines ('Deprescribing')," 11.
4. Alotaibi, "Skin Reflectance Model," 42.
Other citation styles:
- What is APA Style (7th ed.)?
- Examples of bibliographic references in APA (7th ed.)
- APA 7 vs APA 6: key differences
- How to cite authors?
- How to format the references page with APA (7th ed.)?
- In-text citations
- Archival document
- Book chapter
- Conference paper
- Dictionary/encyclopedia/dictionary entry/encyclopedia article
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- Journal article
- Newspaper article
- Press release
- Religious text
- Social media post
- Software / mobile app
- Video (online)
- Video game / computer game
- What is MLA Style (8th ed.)?
- Examples of references in works cited in MLA (8th ed.)
- How to format the works cited page in MLA (8th ed.)?
- What is Chicago Style?
- Examples of bibliographic references in Chicago Style – notes and bibliography (17th ed.)
- How to format the bibliography page?
- Notes and in-text citations
- Examples of bibliographic references in Chicago Style – author-date (17th ed.)
- What is Harvard referencing style?
- Examples of bibliographic references in Harvard style
- Online video
- What is IEEE Style?
- Examples of bibliographic references in IEEE Style
- How to format the references pages in IEEE Style?
- What is Vancouver Style?
- Examples of bibliographic references in Vancouver Style
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Using information fairly and acknowledging sources accurately is an essential part of any research project. Citations provide information to help readers locate the sources you use and provide a way for you to credit other scholars for their original ideas or findings. Most researchers use style guides or manuals to format their citations in a consistent way so their readers can quickly identify and locate cited sources.
You should always check with your instructor, thesis advisor, or publisher to see which style you should use for your research project. But there are some popular citation styles that are used by specific fields:
- APA - Social Sciences and Sciences
- MLA - Humanities
- Notes & Bibliography - Humanities and Humanistic Social Sciences
- Author/Date - Social Sciences and Sciences
There are also styles from professional associations for specific disciplines, such as the American Sociological Association or the American Chemical Society. View our list of Other Style Guides for links to these resources.
Specific journals may have their own styles, or may adapt common styles such as APA or Chicago. Check the author guidelines for details about how to format your submission.
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Chicago Style Guide
Thesis/dissertation – chicago bibliography, general tips.
- Titles of unpublished works appear in quotation marks—not in italics. This treatment is applied to theses and dissertations.
Thesis/Dissertation Print
Last , First M . " Thesis/Dissertation Title ." PhD diss., [OR] Master's thesis , Academic institution , Year .
1. Mihwa Choi, "Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty," (PhD diss., University of Chicago, 2008).
2. Choi "Contesting Imaginaires".
Choi, Mihwa. "Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty." PhD diss., University of Chicago, 2008.
Thesis/Dissertation Commercial Database
For items retrieved from a commercial database, add the name of the database and an accession number following the facts of publication. This dissertation cited below is shown as it would be cited if it were retrieved from ProQuest's database for dissertations and theses.
Last , First M . " Thesis/Dissertation Title ." PhD diss., [OR] Master's thesis , Academic institution , Year . Database name ( accession number ).
Choi, Mihwa. "Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty." PhD diss.,, University of Chicago, 2008. ProQuest (AAT 3300426).
Thesis/Dissertation Web
Last , First M . " Thesis/Dissertation Title ." PhD diss., [OR] Master's thesis , Academic institution , Year . http:// www.url.com
Johnson, Shakela Carion. "An Examination of the Social Characteristics and Beliefs of Delinquent and Non-Delinquent Youth." PhD thesis. Auburn University, 2007. http://search.proquest.com/docview/304897390?accountid=12528
1. Mihwa Choi, "Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty," (PhD diss., University of Chicago, 2008), ProQuest (AAT 3300426).
Choi, Mihwa. "Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty." PhD diss., University of Chicago, 2008. ProQuest (AAT 3300426).
Citation guides
All you need to know about citations
How to cite an honors thesis in Chicago
To cite an honors thesis in a reference entry in Chicago style 17th edition include the following elements:
- Author(s) of the thesis: Give first the last name, then the name as presented in the source (e. g. Watson, John). For two authors, reverse only the first name, followed by ‘and’ and the second name in normal order (e. g. Watson, John, and John Watson). For more than seven authors, list the first seven names followed by et al.
- Title of the thesis: Give the title in quotation marks.
- Degree: Type of degree.
- University: Give the name of the institution.
- Year of publication: Give the year of publication as presented in the source.
Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of an honors thesis in Chicago style 17th edition:
Author(s) of the thesis . " Title of the thesis ." Degree , University , Year of publication .
Take a look at our reference list examples that demonstrate the Chicago style guidelines in action:
An undergraduate honors thesis with one author
Stevens, Indira . " Iron Complexes for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation ." Undergraduate honors thesis , William & Mary University , 2019 .
An undergraduate honors thesis with two authors
Zhang, Irene Y., and Richard D. Goffin . " Evil Geniuses at Work: Does Intelligence Interact with the Dark Triad to Predict Workplace Deviance? " Undergraduate honors thesis , Western U , 2018 .
This citation style guide is based on the Chicago Manual of Style (17 th edition).
More useful guides
- Chicago Citation Quickguide
- How to Cite A Dissertation
- Citing and referencing: University theses and dissertations
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This guide will show you how to create notes-bibliography style citations for theses and dissertations in a variety of formats using the 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style. Guide Overview. Citing a thesis or dissertation from a database; Citing a thesis or dissertation from the web; Citing an unpublished thesis or dissertation
Theses & Dissertations. CMS 14.224: Theses and dissertations. Titles of unpublished works appear in "quotation marks"—not in italics. This treatment extends to theses and dissertations, which are otherwise cited like books. The kind of thesis, the academic institution, and the date follow the title. Like the publication data of a book, these ...
The footnote format for a thesis or dissertation in Chicago referencing is similar to the one used for a book. The main difference is that you should use quote marks instead of italics for the title: n. Author name, "Title of paper" (type of paper, academic institution, year of completion), page number, URL/database name (document ID).
To cite a master's thesis in a reference entry in Chicago style 17th edition include the following elements:. Author(s) of the thesis: Give first the last name, then the name as presented in the source (e. g. Watson, John). For two authors, reverse only the first name, followed by 'and' and the second name in normal order (e. g. Watson, John, and John Watson).
Chicago and Turabian use the exact same format for citing dissertations and theses. Important Elements: 1. Author First Last, "Title of Dissertation or Theis" (Doctoral diss. or Master's Thesis, Name of Institution, Year), pp.-pp. 1. Dana S. Levin, "Let's Talk about Sex . . .
Example 1 - Print. N: 1. Lindsey Bingley, "From Overalls to Aprons? The Paid and Unpaid Labour of Southern Alberta Women, 1939-1959" (master's thesis, University of Lethbridge, 2006), 58.
The kind of thesis, the academic institution, and the date follow the title. Like the publication data of a book, these are enclosed in parentheses in a note but not in a bibliography. If the document was consulted online, include a URL or, for documents retrieved from a commercial database, the name of the database and, in parentheses, any ...
The Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition) contains guidelines for two styles of citation: notes and bibliography and author-date.. Notes and bibliography is the most common type of Chicago style citation, and the main focus of this article. It is widely used in the humanities. Citations are placed in footnotes or endnotes, with a Chicago style bibliography listing your sources in full at the end.
To cite a dissertation thesis in a reference entry in Chicago style 17th edition include the following elements:. Author(s) of the dissertation: Give first the last name, then the name as presented in the source (e. g. Watson, John). For two authors, reverse only the first name, followed by 'and' and the second name in normal order (e. g. Watson, John, and John Watson).
In author-date Chicago referencing, you cite a thesis or dissertation by giving the author's surname and the date of completion in brackets. For instance, we could cite a source by "Carter" from 2001 like this: Citing your sources is very important (Carter 2001). If you're quoting a thesis or dissertation, meanwhile, you should ...
To cite a dissertation in Chicago on the Bibliography page, follow this formula: Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Dissertation/Thesis." Dissertation type, University, Year. In-Text Citation Rules. A dissertation in Chicago has a simple citation format for in-text citations. The following information appears in parentheses after the ...
NB Sample Paper. In addition to consulting The Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition) for more information, students may also find it useful to consult Kate L. Turabian's Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (8th edition). This manual, which presents what is commonly known as the "Turabian" citation style, follows ...
Thesis is used either for a doctoral or a master's degree. Dissertation is used either for a master's or a bachelor's degree with honours. Exegesis is the written component of a practice-based thesis where the major output is a creative work; e.g. a film, artwork, novel. In some other parts of the world, such as the United States, a ...
Use the following template to cite a dissertation using the Chicago Manual of Style (16 th edition) citation style. For help with other source types, like books, PDFs, or websites, check out our other guides.To have your reference list or bibliography automatically made for you, try our free citation generator. Notes-Bibliography Format
Legal Materials and Government Documents. Legal materials and other government documents should be cited using footnotes, endnotes, and/or citation sentences (with clauses including the same information required in a footnote). Print copies of the sources tend to be preferred to digital, though verified digital sources are acceptable.
Full Citation Rules. Citing a thesis in Chicago on the Bibliography page follows the format for citing a dissertation. Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Dissertation/Thesis." Dissertation type, University, Year.
To cite a PhD thesis in a reference entry in Chicago style 17th edition include the following elements:. Author(s) of the thesis: Give first the last name, then the name as presented in the source (e. g. Watson, John). For two authors, reverse only the first name, followed by 'and' and the second name in normal order (e. g. Watson, John, and John Watson).
Citing dissertations, master's theses, etc. under the requirements of The Chicago Manual of Style is specific due to the particularities of this type of source. Thus, a bibliographic reference should include the university responsible for the preparation and defense of the work and the type of work. The title of the dissertation is put between ...
You should always check with your instructor, thesis advisor, or publisher to see which style you should use for your research project. But there are some popular citation styles that are used by specific fields: APA - Social Sciences and Sciences; MLA - Humanities; Chicago . Notes & Bibliography - Humanities and Humanistic Social Sciences
To cite an undergraduate thesis in a reference entry in Chicago style 17th edition include the following elements:. Author(s) of the thesis: Give first the last name, then the name as presented in the source (e. g. Watson, John). For two authors, reverse only the first name, followed by 'and' and the second name in normal order (e. g. Watson, John, and John Watson).
How to cite a dissertation. How to cite a master's thesis. How to cite a PhD thesis. How to cite an honors thesis. How to cite an undergraduate thesis. Try BibGuru (free!) Automatic citations in seconds.
Thesis/Dissertation - Chicago Bibliography General tips. Titles of unpublished works appear in quotation marks—not in italics. This treatment is applied to theses and dissertations. Thesis/Dissertation Print. Format: Last, First M. "Thesis/Dissertation Title." PhD diss., [OR] Master's thesis, Academic institution, Year. Example: 1.
To cite an honors thesis in a reference entry in Chicago style 17th edition include the following elements:. Author(s) of the thesis: Give first the last name, then the name as presented in the source (e. g. Watson, John). For two authors, reverse only the first name, followed by 'and' and the second name in normal order (e. g. Watson, John, and John Watson).