how to cite unpublished phd thesis

APA Style 7th Edition: Citing Your Sources

• Basics of APA Formatting
• In Text Quick View
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• Books & eBooks
• Thesis/Dissertation

Standard Format

Formatting rules, various examples.

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Adapted from American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed).  https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

Formatting:

• Italicize the title
• Identify whether source is doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis in parentheses after the title

See Ch. 10 pp. 313-352 of APA Manual for more examples and formatting rules

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How to Cite an Unpublished Paper or Manuscript in APA Referencing

3-minute read

• 23rd June 2020

Did you know that you can cite unpublished works, such as in-progress research papers or manuscripts, in an essay? Well, you can! The key is citing them correctly. And in this post, we will look at how to cite an unpublished paper or manuscript in APA referencing .

How to Cite an Unpublished Paper in APA referencing

In APA referencing, you can cite an unpublished work in the same way as you would a published one. This means giving an author’s name and a date in brackets . The only difference is that you give a year of production (i.e., when the paper was written) rather than a year of publication:

Few fully understand the publication process (Clarke, 2020).

Like other sources, if you name the author in the text, you do not need to repeat it in the brackets. And if you quote an unpublished paper, you should give page numbers. For example:

According to Clarke (2020), publication “is a complex process” (p. 20).

When a paper has been accepted for publication but not yet published, however, you should use the term “in press” in place of a year in citations:

Few fully understand the publication process (Clarke, in press).

How to Reference an Unpublished Work in APA Referencing

When adding an unpublished paper to an APA reference list , the correct format will depend on where it is in the publication process. But let’s start with works that will not be published at all (e.g., a paper that the author never submitted or that the publisher rejected).

In this case, the correct format is:

Author Surname, Initial(s). (Year of Production). Title of manuscript [Unpublished manuscript]. Department, University Name.

So, in practice, we could cite an unpublished paper like this:

Clarke, J. (2020). The publication process explained [Unpublished manuscript]. School of Journalism, Media and Performance, University of Central Lancashire.

Referencing a Work Submitted for Publication

If a paper has been submitted for publication but not yet accepted, the reference should state “manuscript submitted for publication.” However, you should not include any other information about the submission, such as where it was submitted, as this information could go out of date quickly.

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The correct format in this case is therefore:

Author Surname, Initial(s). (Year of Production). Title of manuscript [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Department, University Name.

For example, we would list the paper above as follows:

Clarke, J. (2020). The publication process explained [Manuscript submitted for publication]. School of Journalism, Media and Performance, University of Central Lancashire.

Referencing a Paper in Press

If a paper has been accepted for publication, use the following format:

Author Surname, Initial(s). (in press). Title. Periodical or Journal Title .

As you can see, we now include both:

• The phrase “in press” to show that the paper has been accepted by the journal and is now awaiting publication.
• The title of the journal that accepted it (note, too, that we only use italics for the journal title here, not the title of the paper itself).

In practice, then, we would reference a paper awaiting publication like this:

Clarke, J. (in press). The publication process explained, Publishing Research Quarterly .

It is always worth checking the status of submitted papers before finalizing your reference list, too, as they can go from “submitted for publication” to “in press” quite suddenly, leaving your reference out of date.

Hopefully, you will now be able to cite an unpublished paper or manuscript correctly. But if you would like any further help with your writing, why not submit a document for proofreading ?

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APA (7th Edition) Referencing Guide

• Information for EndNote Users
• Authors - Numbers, Rules and Formatting
• In-Text Citations
• Reference List
• Books & eBooks
• Book chapters
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• Using Visual Works in Assignments & Class Presentations
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• Custom Textbooks & Books of Readings
• ABS AND AIHW
• Videos (YouTube), Podcasts & Webinars
• Blog Posts and Social Media
• First Nations Works
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• Theses and Dissertations

Theses and dissertations

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A thesis is an unpublished document produced by student as part of the requirements for the degree. They come at various levels (e.g. Honours, Masters, PhD, etc). Check with your lecturer before using a thesis for your assignment.

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APA 7th Edition Citation Style Guide

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From a Database

From the web, unpublished (in print from a university library).

• References Page
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General Rule:

Author, A. A. (year). Title of doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis  (Publication No. #) [Doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis, Name of Institution Awarding the Degree]. Name of Database.

Davis, P. M. (2010). Access, readership, citations: A randomized controlled trial of scientific journal publishing . (Publication No.   3429815 )  [Doctoral dissertation, Cornell University].  ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.  

Author, A. A. (year). Title of doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis  [Doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis, Name of Institution]. Name of Website. URL

Buckman, A. (1997). MOOSE Crossing: Construction, community, and learning in a networked virtual world for kids [Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology]. DSpace@MIT.  https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/33821

Author, A. A. (year). Title of doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis  [Unpublished doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis]. Name of Institution.

Long, R.P. (1972). A study of instructional objectives and methods for interpersonal communication. [Unpublished master’s thesis]. West Virginia University.

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APA 7th Edition Style Guide: Unpublished Manuscripts/Informal Publications (i.e. course packets and dissertations)

• About In-text Citations
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• URLs and DOIs
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Unpublished Manuscripts/Informal Publications (i.e. course packets and dissertations)

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Formatting your References

Once you type your references on the reference page, you will need to put in a hanging indent and double-space the entire reference list. In Microsoft Word, highlight the references from A to Z, then find the paragraph function in the Word ribbon. Select Hanging under Indentation and Double under spacing. See the Formatting your References tab for instructions on doing this on a Mac or in Google Docs.

Abbas, D. D. F. (2020). Manipulating of audio-visual aids in the educational processes in Al-Hilla University College. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 24 (3), 1248-1263. https://doi.org.db12.linccweb.org/10.37200/ijpr/v24i3/pr200875

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APA 6th Referencing Style Guide

• APA referencing style
• In-text citation
• Reference list
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Thesis, dissertation or exegesis?

Theses and dissertations from online sources, theses and dissertations in hardcopy format.

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Terminology

Thesis and dissertation can mean different things, depending on which institution the work is from.  For study purposes and for your APA reference you need to know the level of the work.

• Always check the title page, or subsequent pages, to determine exactly what the work is
• Use the information there for your APA reference

At Auckland University of Technology (and other NZ universities)

Thesis is either for a doctoral or a master's degree.

Dissertation is 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 North America, a dissertation may be for a doctoral degree and a thesis for a master's degree.  

See Section 7.05  in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th edition .

Reference format for a thesis from a commercial database:

Reference format for a thesis from an institutional repository:

A Doctoral dissertation (USA) from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database

Reference list entry:

• Include the name of the database and the order number of the document
• Use this style for theses retrieved from a commercial database

Thesis from a NZ institutional repository :

• Include the full URL for the thesis/dissertation and the full name of the degree-granting institution/university
• Also include the location of the university, if outside the United States.

In-text citations guide  

Reference format for unpublished thesis/dissertation:

• Give the correct full name of the university, not its abbreviation or brand name.
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How to cite unpublished sources?

Citing unpublished sources in academic or professional writing requires a different approach than citing published works. Unpublished sources may include research papers, theses, dissertations, conference papers, unpublished manuscripts, and other original works that have not been formally published or made publicly accessible. As with other sources, the specific citation style you are using (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) will dictate the format. Below are examples of how to cite unpublished sources in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles:

• APA Style: For unpublished sources in APA style, include the author's name, the year the work was produced (or "n.d." if not available), the title of the work, and a description of the document type (e.g., unpublished manuscript, doctoral dissertation, conference presentation).

Example of citing an unpublished manuscript: Smith, J. A. (2023). Title of Unpublished Manuscript [Unpublished manuscript].

Example of citing a doctoral dissertation: Johnson, R. B. (2022). Title of Dissertation [Doctoral dissertation, University Name].

• MLA Style: In MLA style, citing unpublished sources includes the author's name, the title of the work, the document type, and the institution or organization where the work is housed.

Example of citing an unpublished manuscript: Smith, John A. Title of Unpublished Manuscript. Unpublished manuscript, Name of Institution.

Example of citing a thesis or dissertation: Johnson, Robert. Title of Dissertation. Diss. University of XYZ, 2021.

• Chicago/Turabian Style: In Chicago style (both author-date and notes & bibliography), citing unpublished sources typically includes the author's name, the title of the work, the document type, and any additional publication or location information.

Example of citing an unpublished manuscript in notes & bibliography style:

• Smith, Jane. "Title of Unpublished Manuscript." Unpublished manuscript, Name of Institution, Year.

Example of citing a thesis or dissertation in notes & bibliography style:

• Johnson, Robert. "Title of Dissertation." PhD diss., University of XYZ, 2021.

Note that for unpublished sources, it's essential to provide as much information as possible to help readers locate and verify the source if needed. Additionally, if the work is forthcoming or under review for publication, you can indicate that in the citation to provide further context.

As with all citations, make sure to follow the guidelines of your chosen citation style for formatting and punctuation.

Related Guides

• How to cite interviews and personal communications?
• How to Cite Books? APA, MLA, Chicago, and More Styles
• How to Cite Journal Articles?
• How to cite electronic databases and digital resources?
• How to cite websites and online sources?

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Citation Guide: Chicago Manual of Style (Author/Date System)

The Chicago Manual of Style documentation system is used in both the humanities and the social sciences. A bit more complex than either the MLA or the APA, it offers two approaches for documenting sources: 1) a notes system and, 2) an author/date system similar to the APA. This guide explains the Author/Date system. A separate guide explains the Chicago Manual of Style (Notes System) .

Inserted at the point of reference, an in-text parenthetical citation containing the author's name and the date of publication interacts with the end documentation by pointing to a specific entry on the References List page.

Notes, similar to those used in the CMS Notes System, may be used in the Author/Date system, but only to provide further information about a particular idea. They do not replace entries found in the References List which contains the bibliographic information required to properly cite your sources. Check with your instructor on what is expected when you are asked to use this style.

This guide is largely based on style recommendations from the 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style.

[Guide Updated April 2022]

Citing Sources within Your Document

The CMS Author/Date in-text citation system follows a parenthetical format rather than the superscripted numbers found in the CMS Notes system. Much like the APA, it emphasizes authors and dates of publication, both of which are important benchmarks denoting relevancy and validity in the social and the natural sciences.

In some cases, chapters, paragraphs and page numbers are required. Regardless of contents, the parenthetic citation should immediately follow the cited material within a sentence and before the period if it is at the end of the sentence. In the case of quoted material, the citation is placed between the final quotation mark and the period at the end of the sentence.

CMS In-Text Formatting Rules

CMS Author/Date in-text formatting rules are as follows:

• A space, not a comma, should separate the author's name and the year of publication.
• Page numbers are included only when part of a source or a direct quotation is cited. Abbreviations ("p." or "pp.") are not required.
• Footnotes and endnotes are used only when there is a need to provide further information about a particular idea or when specific copyright permission needs to be documented.

Specific rules depend on whether part or all of a source is being cited as well as whether or not the author's name is mentioned in the sentence where the citation occurs.

Examples of In-Text Formatting Rules

Citing an entire source.

When citing an entire work, document the last name of the author and the year of publication. No page numbers are necessary. The citation format will vary according to whether the author's name is mentioned in the sentence being cited.

1. Citing an Entire Source: Author Name Not Included in Preceding Sentence

Format: Cite both the last name of the author and the publication date. The citation is placed in parentheses directly following the information being cited. When the citation falls at the end of the sentence, the parenthetical note precedes the end punctuation (period). There is a space, not a comma, between the author's name and the date.

In a recent study of sustainable management techniques (Myers 1997)... 

2. Citing an Entire Source: Author Name Included in Preceding Sentence

Format: When the author's name is mentioned in the sentence, you may omit this name from the parentheses to avoid redundancy, using only the date. The date (in parentheses) should follow the author's name. In cases where the source itself is being cited rather than the author, the parentheses around the date may be omitted.

Example One:

Myers (1997) compared sustainable management techniques...

Example Two:

In Myers 1997, sustainable management techniques are compared to more conventional practices.

Citing Part of a Source

When citing a specific part of a source, document the last name of the author, the year of publication and the page numbers (or chapter, section, line numbers, etc.) where the cited material may be found.

3. Citing Part of a Source

Format: When the citation falls at the end of the sentence, the parenthetical note precedes the end punctuation (period). One space separates the author's name from the date, and one comma separates the date from the page number (or chapter, etc.). Page abbreviations like "p." or "pp." are used only when their absence is likely to cause confusion. Abbreviations such as sec. (section), fig. (figure), app. (appendix), etc., should be used, however.

Because of the underdevelopment of the racial theme, Bright Skin was said to have "failed to feed the growing appetite for anti-establishment tracts while at the same time offering no new insights into the nature of Blue Brook Plantation" (Landess 1976, 121).

Examples of Variations to In-Text Formatting Rules

1. Citing Sources with No Date

Format: When you cite a source that has no date given, include in parentheses the name of the author and the abbreviation "n.d." ("no date").

This has occurred in previous experiments (Phelps & Gomez, n.d.).

2. Citing Sources with Unnamed, Uncertain or Anonymous Authors

Format: When no author is listed on the tile or copyright page, begin the entry with the title of the work. In the bibliography, alphabetize the entry by the first word other than A, An, or The .

Letting Ana Go (New York: Simon Pulse, 2013), 118-20.

Letting Ana Go . New York: Simon Pulse, 2013.

3. Citing Electronic (Web site or Internet) Sources

Format: An electronic source is cited like any other source when the entire source is cited: Author's Last Name and Date of Publication are mentioned. However, in cases where specific parts of the electronic source are cited, documentation of the particular paragraph number or section heading where the cited material may be found is recommended.

Mendelson, Abby. “Roberto Clemente: A Form of Punishment.” Pittsburg Pirates. MLB.com. May 24, 2013. http://mlb.mlb.com/pit/history/pit_clemente.jsp.

4. Citing Authors with Same Last Name in References List

Format: Include first name initials of all in-text cited authors when other authors in your References List have the same last name.

K.K. Sullivan (1962) and D. Sullivan (1996) came to similar conclusions about the effects of this treatment method.

5. Citing Sources Not Included in the References List

Format: Unpublished manuscripts, letters and newspaper articles, etc. may be cited within the in-text parenthetical citation or in the actual text itself.

Paul Nesbitt (telephone interview, 19 August 2016) expressed his dissatisfaction with the proposed plan.

In a letter dated 12 August 2016, Nesbitt indicated to his daughter that a new plan was being presented to the County Commissioners.

6. Citing Sources with More than One Author

Format, Sources with Two or Three Authors: List the authors in the order in which they appear on the title page. In a note, list the first name for each author first. In the bibliography, list the first author’s last name first and list the first names for each other author first.

Jerin, Robert A., and Laura J. Moriarty. The Victims of Crime . Upper Saddle river, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2010.

Format, Sources with Four or More Authors: In a note, give only the first author’s name followed by “et al.” (Latin for “and others”). In the bibliography, list all the authors that appear on the title page.

Harry Markopolos et al., No One Would Listen: A True Financial Thriller (Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2010). 179.

Markopolos, Harry, Frank Casey, Neil Chelo, Gaytri Kachroo, and Michael Ocrant. No One Would Listen: A True Financial Thriller . Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2010.

Note: An alternative would be to include a shortened title following the "Author et al.", in every instance of the same "Author et al." occurring.

(Nesbitt et al., Neighborhood associations , 2015)

(Nesbitt et al., Zoning laws , 2015)

7. Citing Sources Authored by a Group or Corporation

Format: Use the group or corporation as the author; it may also be the publisher.

Where the References List entry looks like:

Bas Bleu Theatre Company. 2014. 2014 NEA Grant Application for …

The first in-text citation will look like:

The grant proposal (Bas Bleu Theatre Company [BBTC] 2014) was an important effort to support the arts in the community.

And a subsequent in-text citation will look like:

The proposal requested new and increased salaries for theatre staff (BBTC 2014).

8. Citing Two or More Sources in the Same Parenthesis

Format, Two or More Sources by Same Author: When you are citing two or more works by the same author in one parenthetical note, list the name of the author only once, followed by the publication dates of the various works in order of year of publication.

Psychologists have arrived at this conclusion in the past (Tripp, 2004, 2010, 2016).

Format, Two or More Sources Published by Same Author in Same Year: When, in one parenthetical note, you are citing two or more works by the same author published in the same year, be sure to distinguish between the two by assigning them letter suffixes ("a," "b," etc.). These designations will be consistent with those you have given the works in the reference list.

Past research (Johnson 2013a, 2013b) has revealed interesting patterns.

Format, Two or More Sources by Different Authors: When you refer to works by different authors within the same parenthetical note, separate them by using semicolons.

Several studies (Evens 2005; Dorer 2014; Bundy 2014) have contributed to our current understanding of this phenomenon.

Citing Sources at the End of Your Document

The end documentation in the CMS Author/Date system is the References List page. It is located at the end of a document or book and contains all the bibliographic information needed to find out more about cited source material.

This list is a selective bibliography and does not include a full accounting of sources related to or consulted before you began writing your document, but only those actually cited.

Proper CMS documentation depends on the References List . Without it the in-text numbers would make little sense as they would no longer be pointing at any corresponding entries in the end documentation.

Formatting Citations

CMS References List formatting rules call for the end documentation to begin on a new page at the end of your document and be numbered accordingly. If your document is 6½ pages long, the Notes page should begin on page 8.

Note: Unless informed otherwise, you can count on your instructor not counting the References List page in the total page count of an eight page assignment.

The page itself should be formatted in the following way:

• The title-References List-should be centered one inch from the top of the page. This may also be called a Literature Cited or Works Cited page.
• Double space between the title and first entry; all subsequent entries should be single spaced.
• Arrange entries alphabetically, according to authors' last names.

Individual entries should be formatted in the following way:

• The first line of each entry should be flush-left while any subsequent lines are indented five spaces.
• LastName, FirstName. Year.  Title of Work.  Location: Publisher.
• Use the "down" or "sentence style" for titles and subtitles, capitalizing only the first letter of the first word, as well as any proper nouns and adjectives that are included.

1. Book with Unknown Author(s)

References List Format : When no author is listed on the title or copyright page, begin the entry with the title of the work followed by the date of publication. In the bibliography, alphabetize the entry by the first word other than A, An, or The .

Lucy in the Sky. 2012. New York: Simon and Schuster.

References List Format : Use the corporation or group as the author; it may also be the publisher.

Microsoft Corporation. 2003.  Microsoft Windows 2000 Scripting Guide: Automating System Administration. Hoboken: Microsoft Press.

References List Format : When citing a book, use the information from the title page and the copyright page (on the reverse side of the title page), not from the book’s cover or a library catalog.

Mengestu, Dinaw. 2007.  The Beautiful Thing That Heaven Bears. New York: Riverhead Books.

Note: Names must always appear in the same order as found on the Title page of the work being cited.

References List Format : List the authors in the order in which they appear on the title page. In a note, list the first name for each author first. In the bibliography, list the first author’s last name first and list the first names for each other author first.

Kaufman, Amie, and Meagan Spooner. 2022.  Beyond the End of the World. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Note: Names must always appear in the same order, separated by commas, as found on the Title page of the work being cited.

References List Format : First Author-Last Name first. Next Author(s)-First Names or initials first. Year of Publication. Book Title-in italics. Number ed.-when applicable. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.

Alred, Gerald J., Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu. 2003. The Business Writer's Handbook. 7th ed. Boston and New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

References List Format (Editor) : List the author at the beginning of the citation and add the editor’s name after the title. In notes, use the abbreviation “ed.” before the editor’s name. In the bibliography, include the phrase “Edited by” before the editor’s name.

Lewis, Matthew. 2016.  The Monk. Edited by Howard Anderson. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

References List Format (Translator) : List the author first and the translator after the title. Use the abbreviation “trans.” in a note, but spell out “Translated by” in the bibliography.

Lessing, Gotthold E. 2004.  Nathan the Wise. Translated by Ronald Schechter. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's.

References List Format : To cite an entire anthology or collection of articles, give the editor(s) before the title of the collection, adding a comma and the abbreviation “ed.” or “eds.”

Dove, Rita, ed. 2011. The Penguin Anthology of Twentieth Century American Poetry . New York: Penguin Books.

References List Format : Give the author and title (in quotation marks) for the chapter or selection. Then give the title, editor (if any), and publication data for the book or anthology. In the bibliography, give the inclusive page numbers before the publication data, separated by a comma.

Boully, Jenny. 2003. “ The Body. ” In The Next American Essay , 437-466. Minneapolis: Gray Wolf Press.

9. Chapter in an Unedited Book

References List Format : Author-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Chapter Title-No quotation marks-No italics. Chap. Number-if applicable. In Book Title-in italics. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.

Barad, Karen. 2007. Agential Realism: How Material Discursive Practices Matter. Chap. 4 in Meeting the Universe Halfway.  Durham and London: Duke University Press.

References List Format : Give edition information after the title.

McDonald, Russ. 2001.  The Bedford Companion to Shakespeare. 2 nd  ed. Boston and New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

References List Format : Place the original publication date after the original author's name. Include the date of re-publication after the editor's name.

Austen, Jane. 1813.  Pride and Prejudice. Edited by James Kinsley. 2008. Reprint, Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.

Note: Citations of sacred texts such as the Christian Bible, Islam's Holy Qur'an and the Hebrew Torah generally occur only in the in-text citation and are not included in the References List. Please refer to the CMS Notes Examples of In-Text Formatting Rules for more information.

References List Format : In the notes, give the volume number and page number, separated by a colon, for the specific location of the information referred to in your text. In the bibliography, if you have used all of the volumes, give the total number of volumes after the title, using the abbreviation “vols.” (“2 vols.” or “4 vols.”). If you have used one volume, give the abbreviation “Vol.” and the volume number after the title.

Canterbury, Dave. 2015.  Advanced Bush Craft: An Expert Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival . Vol 2. Avon: Adams Media.

References List Format : Give the title of the volume to which you refer, followed by the volume number and the general title for the entire work.

Rozell, Matthew A. 2017  The Things our Fathers Saw, 1944-1945. Vol 2 of War in the Air. Hartford: Woodchuck Hollow Press.

References List Format : The series name follows the title and is capitalized as a title but is not italicized. If the series numbers its volumes, include that information as well.

Jordan, Jay. 2022.  Grounded Literacies in a Transnational WAC/WIC Ecology: A Korean-U.S. Study.  International Exchanges on the Study of Writing Series. Fort Collins: The WAC Clearinghouse. https://doi.org/10.37514/INT-B.2022.1503.

References List Format : For a book without publication information, use the following format: Author-Last Name first. n.d.  Book Title – in italics . N.p.

Biv, Roy G. n.d.  On learning the color spectrum. N.p.

References List Format : Give the name of the writer of the foreword, introduction, preface, or afterword followed by the appropriate phrase (“introduction to,” “preface to,” and so on) before the title of the book. If the writer of the introduction or other part differs from the writer of the book, after the title insert the word “by” and the author’s name.

Tracy, Robert. 2008. Introduction to In a Glass Darkly , vii-xxviii. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Journals, Magazines and Newspapers

1. Journal Article with Consecutive Pagination

Note: Consecutive Pagination means that each new issue of a Journal begins with the page number that follows the last page number in the previous issue. In other words, the page numbers run consecutively from issue to issue.

References List Format : Give the author (last name first) followed by the year of publication then the article title. Include the name of the journal (in italics) followed by the v olume number, the issue number (if available) and page number(s). End with the DOI (if available). The DOI should be in a URL format, beginning with "https://doi.org/".

Harrington, Marua G. 2004."'My Narrative': the Story of the Non-Disinterested Narrator in Poe's 'Hop-Frog'."  The Edgar Allan Poe Review  5, no.1 (Spring): 91-99.

Note: Non-Consecutive Pagination means that each new issue of a Journal begins with page 1 and not with the number that follows the last page number in the previous issue, as is the case with consecutive pagination.

References List Format : Begin with the author (last name first) followed by the year of publication, the article title and the name of the journal (in italics). Include the volume number, the issue number and end with the article page number(s).

Clifford, James. 1983. On Ethnographic Authority. Representations 1, no. 2:118-46.

References List Format : Cite like a monthly magazine (see next format), but provide the day of publication.

Bates, Josiah. March 25, 2022. "Why the FBI Won't Release Quarterly Crime Stats for 2021.” Time Magazine .

References List Format : Magazines are cited by their dates rather than by volume and issue.

Bertz, Matt. February 2017. “Virtual Reality is Still Waiting for its Software Savior.” Game Informer , 22-30.

Note: When no author by-line exists, begin with the Article Title and proceed as shown above. This case also illustrates a magazine with a volume number but not an issue number.

References List Format : Begin with the author (last name first) followed by the year of publication, the article title, the magazine title (in italics), the volume number and or issue. End with the page number(s) when citing specific portions or quoted passages.

A passing race. 1929. Canadian Magazine , 71:34.

Note: In most cases, newspaper articles are cited in running text and are not included in the References List; however, when you do, follow the example below. When no author by-line exists, begin with the Article Title rather than the author's name.

References List Format : If the name of the newspaper does not include the city, insert the city before the name (and italicize it). If an American city is not well known, name the state as well (in parentheses, abbreviated). Identify newspapers from other countries with the city in parentheses (not italicized) after the name of the newspaper. Page number may be omitted, since separate editions of the same newspaper may place articles differently. If a paper comes out in more than one edition, identify the edition after the date.

Zito, Kelly. “Cities Key Source of Toxins in Bay, Study Finds.” San Francisco Chronicle , October 5, 2010, Bay Area Edition.

Note: When not part of the newspaper title, include name of American city, in italics, along with the rest of the title, as shown here:

Denver Rocky Mountain News

Note: When city name is not well known, or there is more than one city in America with the same name, include the state abbreviation, in parenthesis and not italicized, as shown here:

Ashtabula , (OH) Star-Beacon

Note: Follow the title of foreign newspapers with its hometown name, in parenthesis and not italicized, as shown here:

Sunday Times (London)

References List Format : Give the author of the review title, if any, and then the words “review of” followed by the title and the author of the work reviewed and the author or editor (for books) or director or performer (for movies, plays, and similar productions).

Holden, Stephen. “Students Caught in the School Squeeze.” Review of Waiting for Superman , directed by Davis Guggenheim. New York Times , September 23, 2010.

References List Format : If no author is given, begin the note with the title of the article; begin the bibliography entry with the title of the periodical.

Boston Globe. “NYC May Ban Smoking in Parks, on Beaches.” Boston Globe September 16, 2010.

9. Citing a Letter to the Editor

References List Format : Treat as a newspaper article. If no title is provided, place “Letter to the editor” in the title position.

Levi, Jason. Letter to the editor. Smithsonian , June 2016.

Dissertations and Theses

1. Published Dissertation or Thesis

Note: Include the phrase, "Ph.D. diss." or "Master's thesis" before the name of the degree granting institution.

References List Format : Give the author and year, then the title, followed by the phrase “PhD diss.” or “master’s thesis,” and any information about the institution that granted the degree. End with the DOI if one is available.

Hill, Chaney E. 2018.  The Nonhuman Write Back: Charlotte Perkins Gilman's Short Stories . master's thesis, Boise State University, https://doi.org/10.18122/td/1389/boisestate.

References List Format : Give the author and year, then the title, followed by the phrase “PhD diss.” or “master’s thesis,” and any information about the institution that granted the degree.

Lopez, Lope. 2010. “Untimely Figures: Edgar Allan Poe, Journalism and the Literary Imagination.” PhD diss., University of Pittsburgh.

Note: Format like a Journal Article. Include the phrase, "Ph.D. diss." or "Master's thesis" before the name of the degree granting institution.

References List Format : Provide information as you would for an article in a journal. Add information about Dissertation Abstracts International.

Corwin, Elizabeth J. 1977. “Botanical Environments.” master's thesis, Colorado State University. Abstract: iii-iv.

Unpublished Manuscripts and Papers

1. Unpublished Document in a Manuscript Collection

References List Format : Include the document author (last name first), the document date (when available) followed by a description of the document including the collection name, the depository name and the depository location.

Peterkin, Julia. 1930. Letter to George Shively dated 18 October. Bobbs-Merrill Papers. Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington.

Note: Papers appearing in the Published Proceedings of Meetings may be formatted in the same manner as a book.

References List Format : List the author (last name first), the year the paper was read, and the paper title. Include the phrase “Paper read” followed by the meeting name, the location, the day and month of the meeting.

Montgomery, M. Lorenzo. 1985. Dow Turner's early work on Gullah. Paper read at 9th Annual Symposium on Language and Culture, Columbia, SC, 27 April.

Interviews, Letters and Personal Communications

1. Published Interviews

Note: Consult The Chicago Manual of Style to format interviews appearing in other print and non-print mediums.

References List Format : Give the location and date in a note.

Rachel Stein, interview by author, Pittsburgh, June 2, 2014.

References List Format : Do not include unpublished interviews in the bibliography.

References List Format : Do not include personal communications such as letters or phone calls in the bibliography. In a note, give the name of the person with whom you communicated, the form of communication, and the date.

Megahn McKennan, conversation with author, March 5, 2014.

Sangita Thakore, letter to author, November 12, 2014

Electronic Sources

1. Portable Sources (CD-ROM's, Diskettes, Magnetic Tapes, etc.)

Note: Unlike online sources which exist on a computer service or network and are subject to continual revision, portable electronic sources are published and released at fixed points in time. Generally, these types of citations are done in running text within the document; however, they can be included in the References List. The following example is for a non-periodical portable source. The format for a periodical source is slightly different.

References List Format : Author or Editor-Last Name first. Year of Publication. Title- in italics if book title . Volume, edition, etc.-if appropriate. [Medium]. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.

Sheehy, Donald, ed. 1997. Robert Frost: Poems, life, legacy . [CD-ROM]. New York: Holt.

References List Format : Program/Software Name: Identifying Version, level or release number and date-if available. Abbreviated Program/Software Name.-if applicable. Organization or Individual holding Property Rights, Location.

Electronic Supplements for Real Writing: 1. Interactive Writing Software Ver. 1. Bedford, Boston.

Digital Sources

All digital sources should include either a publication date, a revision or “last modified” date, or an access date. After the date, include a DOI (digital object identifier) or, if the source does not have a DOI, a stable URL. Ensure that all DOIs are also in a URL format. For a source accessed through a database, include the name of the database and any number assigned to the source.

1. Online Computer Services

References List Format : List the author or editor (last name first). List the title (italicize if it is a book title), the print publication information, the online publication information (including the computer service name), and finish with the accession number.

Note: The following source was obtained through the computer service "Dialog."

Wever, Katharine. 1998. In a painting, Gershwin packed the house. New York Times 30 August, late ed.: sec. 2, p. 30. Dialog, New York Times Fulltext 03819774.

2. Article from an Online Journal

References List  Format:

List the name of the author or editor followed by the date and title of the article in quotations, as well as the name of the journal in italics. Finally, include any information about the journal and end with the DOI or URL.

Ray, Brian. 2008. "A New World: Redefining the Legacy of Min-Zhan Lu.’” The Journal of Basic Writing  27, no. 2 . https://doi.org/10.37514/JBW-J.2008.27.2.06.

3. Article from an Online Database

List the author or editor followed by the date and the title of the article in quotations. Put the name of the journal in which the article was originally published in italics, then include any information about the journal. End with the name of the online database as well as the DOI or URL if available.

Abbasi, Pyeaam and Bahareh Azad. 2018. “Hamlet's Catch-22: A Psychoanalytic Reading of Hamlet and Catch-22.” Critical Survey  30, no. 3: 97-115. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/48587699.

4. Article from a Website

.List the author and date of publication, followed by the title of the article in quotations. End with the name of the website and the URL

Rittenburg, Adam. 2022. “Final Four 2022: How Remy Martin went from afterthought to Kansas Jayhawks hero when it mattered most.” ESPN.  https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id?33615018.

5. Article Posted on a Wiki

References List Format :

List the name of the wiki site followed by the date of publication. Then, list the title of the article in quotations, the date the article was last modified, and the URL.

Wikipedia. 2022. "Diet Coke." Last Modified March 19, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diet_Coke.

6. Citing an Entire Blog

Put the word “blog” in parentheses following the name of the blog, if it is not already part of the name. If the blog is part of a larger publication, include the name of the publication as well.

McNamara, Pat. McNamara’s Blog: Musings of a Catholic Church Historian from Queens, New York. http://patheos.com/blogs/mcnamarasblog/.

7. Citing an Entry or Comment on a Blog

References List Format : Put the word “blog” in parentheses following the name of the blog, if it is not already part of the name. If the blog is part of a larger publication, include the name of the publication as well.

Winchell, Donna Haisty. “In Arizona, Is It Ethics or Economics?” Argument and the Headlines (blog). Bits: Ideas for Teaching Composition , March 3, 2014, http://blogs.bedfordstmartins.com/bits/author/donnaonbitsgmail-com/.

8. Citing an E-mail Message

References List Format : Chicago recommends that personal communication, including email, not be included in the bibliography, although it can be cited in your text. Note that the Chicago Manual prefers the hyphenated version of the word “e-mail.”

Brysa, H. Levy, e-mail message to author, January 4, 2014

9. Citing an Online Posting to a Discussion Group

References List Format : Like email, online postings are considered personal communication and are therefore listed in the text only, not in the bibliography. Include a URL for archived postings.

Alessandro, Busà to URBANTH-L discussion group, December 1, 2009, http://lists.cc.ysu.edu/pipermail/urbanth-l/2009-December/002761.html.

Audio and Video Recordings

1. Sound or Musical Recordings

Note: The elements in the following format (particularly composer and director) may be rearranged to suit your particular purposes. See Chicago Manual of Style for more examples.

References List Format : Give the composer and title of the recording, the performers and conductor, the label and identifying number.

Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Ilyich. Symphony No. 5, Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Daniele Gatti. Harmonia Mundi, MU907381, compact disc.

References List Format : List the playwright (last name first), the title of the recording (in italics), director’s name, the performers’ or artists’ names, (first names first), the label and identifying number.

Shakespeare, William. Othello . Directed by Howerd Sackler. Performed by Frank Silvera, Celia Johnson, Cyril Cusack, Anna Massey, and others. Caedmon CDG 225. Audiotape.

References List Format : List the poet or prose writer (last name first), the recording title (in italics), the name of the reader (first name first) or the phrase “Read by Author”, the label and the recording number.

Eliot, T.S. Poems and Choruses . Read by author. Caedmon TC1045. Record album.

References List Format : List the lecture recorder (last name first), the year, the recording title (in italics), a brief description of the lecture, the phrase “presented by” followed by the name of the lecturer. Include the institution name, the location, the month and year of the lecture and any publication information (if applicable).

Nesbitt, L.M. 1995. Censorship . Audiotape of a lecture presented by Louann Reid at Colorado State University. Fort Collins, CO, October 1995.

Note: The variety of visual and audiovisual materials now used by writers makes general formatting rules impossible. In these cases a description of the material, the name of the individual responsible for the material, and the information necessary to retrieve it should be included.

References List Format : Slide Show Producer-Last Name first. Year. Slide Show Title-in italics . Place of Production: Production Company Name. Slides.

Nesbitt, John. 1991. Europe by train . Knoxville, TN: Fabricated Production Company. Slides.

References List Format : Provide the title first, the name of the director, the company, the year it was filmed, the medium (film, videocassette, DVD).

Michael Jackson’s This Is It. Directed by Kenny Ortega. 2009 (2009; Culver City, CA: Sony Pictures, 2010) DVD.

Legal Materials

1. State and Federal Court Cases/Decisions

Note: State and federal court cases and decisions are normally cited in the running text of a document as in the example below. The Chicago Manual of Style provides no guidance for a References List entry.

In the 1923 case, Meyer v. State of Nebraska (262 U.S. 390), the Court handed down a decision that...

Note: State and federal constitutions are normally cited in the running text of a document as in the example below

Format : Give the state or country name. the article or amendment number and the subdivision number.

In the Wisconsin Constitution, art. 9, sec. 1...

Publications of Congress

1. Congressional Record/General Citation

References List Format : List the Congressional Record (in italics), the year, the abbreviated number of Congress, the abbreviated number of sessions, the volume number (numeral only) and the abbreviated pt. number. Include the page number(s) (if appropriate).

Congressional Record . 1995. 104th Cong., 1st sess. Vol. 141, pt. 26.

References List Format : List the Speaker’s name (last name first), the year, a brief description of the remarks, the resolution number (if appropriate), the abbreviated number of Congress, the abbreviated number of session, the phrase “Cong Rec” (abbreviated and in italics), the day, month, volume number, pt. number and page number(s) (if appropriate).

Kennedy, Edward. 1995. Senator Kennedy of Massachusetts reintroducing the Equal Remedies Act. 104th Cong., 1st sess. Cong. Rec. , 30 Jan., vol. 141, pt. 10.

References List Format : Congressional Body or Committee Name. Year. Report or Document Title-in italics . Number of Congress-abbreviated, Number of Session-abbreviated,. Document Number. Serial Number-if available.

U.S. Congress. 1982. South Dakota Water Resource Development . 97th Cong., 2d sess. S. Doc. 514. Serial 13452.

References List Format : List the Congressional body name, the name of the journal (in italics), the year, number of Congress (abbreviated), the number of sessions (abbreviated), the day, month and year. .

U.S. Congress. Senate Journal . 1996. 104th Cong., 2d sess., 20 February.

U.S. Senate Journal. 1996. 104th Cong., 2d sess., 20 February.

References List Format : List the Congressional body name, the year, the Committee name, the title of the Hearing (in italics), the abbreviated number of Congress, the abbreviated number of sessions, the day and month.

U.S. Senate. 1990. Committee on Foreign Relations. U.S. Policy in the Persian Gulf: Hearings before the Committee on Foreign Relations. 101st Cong., 2d sess. 4-5 December.

References List Format : List the Congressional body name, the year, the Committee name, the title of the report (in italics), the phrase “Report prepared by” followed by the name of the agency or department person(s), the abbreviated number of Congress, the abbreviated number of session, and the Committee Print number.

U.S. Senate. 1973. Committee on Public Works. Effects and methods of control of thermal discharges. Report prepared by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. 93rd Cong., 1st sess. Committee Print 14.

Note: Congressional bills and resolutions are normally cited in the running text of a document, however, when included in the References List, follow the example below.

References List Format : List the Congressional body name, the year, the Bill or Resolution title (in italics), the abbreviated number of Congress, abbreviated number of session, the Bill or Resolution number, the phrase “Congressional Record” (in italics), and record information (if applicable).

U.S. House. 1995. Interstate Child Support Enforcement Act . 104th Cong., 1st sess., H.R. 195. Congressional Record , 241, no. 4, daily ed. (9 January): H168.

References List Format : List the name of Law (when available; in italics), the U.S. Public Law numbers, the abbreviated number of Congress, the abbreviated number of session, the day, month and year.

U.S. Public Law 105-258. 105th Cong., 2d sess., 14 October 1998.

References List Format : List U.S. Statutes at Large (in italics), the year, the volume number, the page number(s) and the name of the law (when available; in italics).

U.S. Statutes at Large . 1888. Vol. 25, p. 476.

References List Format : List the law, statute, or act title (in italics), U.S. Code (in italics), the volume number and the section number.

Farm Credit Act . 1959. U.S. Code Annotated . Vol. 42, sec. 410.

Presidential Documents

1. Proclamations and Executive Orders

References List Format : President. Year. Proclamation or Executive Order. Proclamation or Executive Order Title. Federal Register-in italics Number, Issue Number (Day Month):-in parenthesis: Page Number(s). Medium-if applicable.

President. 1954. Proclamation. Display of the flag of the United States of America at half-staff upon the death of certain officials and former officials. Federal Register 19, no. 3 (1 March): 1235. Microfiche.

References List Format : Document Title-in italics . Number of Congress-abbreviated, Number of Session-abbreviated. In Compilation of the messages and papers of the presidents, 1789-1897-in italics . Edited by Name of Editor-First Name First. Vol. Number. Washington, D.C.: GPO, Year of Publication.

References List Format : President-Last Name first. Year. Public papers of the presidents of the United States: President-First Name first, Term in Office. Vol. Number. Washington, D.C.: GPO, Year of Publication-no parenthesis.

Carter, Jimmy. 1981. Public papers of the presidents of the United States: Jimmy Carter, 1980-81. Vol. 1. Washington, D.C.: GPO.

Government Documents and Publications

1. Executive Department Publications

References List Format : In general, give the issuing body, then the title and any other information (such as report numbers) that would help your readers locate the source. Follow with the publication data and the page numbers if relevant. You may abbreviate “Government Printing Office” as GPO.

U.S. Department of Agriculture. Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit and Rural Development of the Committee on Agriculture, U.S. House of Representatives. 1991. Attorney-client privilege and the right of congressional access to documents for oversight purposes in the case of the suspension of the telephone loan programs by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Washington, D.C.: GPO.

References List Format : Commission Name. Year. Publication Title-in italics . Washington, D.C.: GPO.

U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 1977/78. Annual report of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Washington, D.C.: GPO.

References List Format : Department or Issuing Body. Year of Treaty. Treaty Title. Day Month of Treaty. TIAS Number. Publication Name-in italics. Vol. Number, Part Number-if text instead of microform.

U.S. Department of State. 1989. Tourism. 3 October. TIAS no. 12403. United States treaties and other international agreements.

References List Format : Name of Issuing Body. Year. Report Title-in italics. Place.

Colorado General Assembly, Colorado Commission on Higher Education. 1996. 1996 Legislative report on higher education admission standards. Denver.

Note: State laws or municipal ordinances are normally cited in the running text, although compilations of state laws (codes) or municipal ordinances may be cited in the References List.

References List Format : State or Municipal Name, Year. State Laws or Municipal Compilation Title-in italics. (Editor Name)-in parenthesis.

Colorado. 1974. Revised Statutes, Annotated (Michie Co.).

How to Arrange Reference List Entries

1. Unknown, Uncertain or Anonymous Authors

Note: Organize alphabetically and avoid using "Anonymous". When a work is of unknown origin, use the first word of its title, excluding definite or indefinite articles which may be transposed to the end of the title.

When the author's name is known but does not appear on the title page place it before the title as you would normally, but in [brackets]. When the author's name is uncertain, indicate so with a question mark inside the [brackets?].

Parsons, Elsie Clews. [1923] 1969. Folk-lore of the Sea Islands, South Carolina. Reprint, Chicago: Afro-Am Press.

Passing Race, A. 1929. Canadian Magazine .

Peterkin, Julia. 1927. Black April . Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Co.

[Joe Schmoe?]. Passing Race, A, 1929. Canadian Magazine.

Note: Single author works always precede co-authored works.

Shor, Ira. 1986. Culture wars: School and society in the conservative restoration, 1969-1982. Boston: Routledge and K. Paul.

Shor, Ira. and Paul Friere. 1987. A pedagogy of liberation: Dialogues on transforming education. New York: Bergin and Garvey.

The three-em dash serves the same purpose as "ditto" marks. When an author appears consecutively, associated with different titles, a three-em dash (---) may replace the name after the first entry.

Each work is then organized in chronological order, by publication date. In the event of two works being published in the same year, add a lowercase letter following the date and alphabetize the entries by title.

Nesbitt, P.B. 1998a. Zoning laws and neighborhood crises. Knoxville, TN: Wachese Press.

---. 1998b. The role of neighborhood associations in urban development battles. Knoxville, TN: Wachese Press.

Additional CMS Author/Date Resources

Printed Resources:

University of Chicago Press. The Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers . 14th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1993.

University of Chicago Press. The Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers . 15th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003.

University of Chicago Press.  The Chicago Manual of Style,  17th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017. https://doi.org/10.7208/cmos17.

Turabian, K. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations . 6th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996.

Electronic Resources:

The official Chicago Manual of Style website, updated regularly, is the comprehensive guide to all things CMS: the organization, its journals, products and services.

Mississippi University for Women - ' Chicago Citation Guide '

University of Washington Libraries - ' Citing Sources: Chicago Author-Date Style '

Bennett, Andrea, Will Allen, Peter Connor, Heidi Scott, & Laurel Nesbitt. (1994-2022). Citation Guide: Chicago Manual of Style (Author/Date System).  Writing@CSU . Colorado State University.  https://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=10

How do I cite a dissertation in MLA style?

Note: This post relates to content in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook . For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook .

A dissertation is a unique type of source. It is a finished, stand-alone work written under the auspices of an institution. In a change from the previous edition of the MLA Handbook ,    we do not distinguish between published and unpublished dissertations. To cite a dissertation, include in the entry the author, title, and date of publication as core elements. As an optional element, list the institution granting the degree and a description of the work.

Njus, Jesse. Performing the Passion: A Study on the Nature of Medieval Acting . 2010. Northwestern U, PhD dissertation.

If you accessed the dissertation through an online repository, include this fact as the title of the second container:

Njus, Jesse. Performing the Passion: A Study on the Nature of Medieval Acting . 2010. Northwestern U, PhD dissertation.  ProQuest , search.proquest.com/docview/305212264?accountid=7432.

Citation guides

All you need to know about citations

How to cite a PhD thesis in Harvard

To cite a PhD thesis in a reference entry in Harvard style include the following elements:

• Author(s) of the PhD thesis: Give the last name and initials (e. g. Watson, J.) of up to three authors with the last name preceded by 'and'. For four authors or more include the first name followed by et al., unless your institution requires referencing of all named authors.
• Year of submission: Give the year in round brackets.
• Title of the PhD thesis: Give the title as presented in the source. Only the first letter of the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.
• Degree description: Type of degree.
• Degree-awarding institution: Give the name of the institution.

Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of a PhD thesis in Harvard style:

Author(s) of the PhD thesis . ( Year of submission ) Title of the PhD thesis . Degree description . Degree-awarding institution .

Take a look at our reference list examples that demonstrate the Harvard style guidelines in action:

A PhD thesis with one author

Confait, M. F . ( 2018 ) Maximising the contributions of PHD graduates to national development: the case of the Seychelles . PhD thesis . Edith Cowan University .

An unpublished PhD thesis

Bowkett, D . ( 2015 ) Investigating the ligandability of plant homeodomains . Unpublished PhD thesis . University of Oxford .

This citation style guide is based on the Cite Them Right (10 th edition) Harvard referencing guide.

More useful guides

• Harvard Referencing: Theses
• Referencing with Harvard: Thesis or dissertation
• Citing and referencing: Theses/Dissertations

More great BibGuru guides

• AMA: how to cite an annual report
• APA: how to cite a book
• Harvard: how to cite a mobile app

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Home / Guides / Citation Guides / Chicago Style / How to Cite a Thesis/Dissertation in Chicago/Turabian

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.

Chicago Formatting Guide

Chicago Formatting

• Book Chapter
• Conference Paper
• Musical Recording

Citation Examples

• Thesis or Dissertation
• Encyclopedia
• Sheet Music
• YouTube Video

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MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): Unpublished Manuscript or Paper

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• Audio Materials
• Books, Ebooks, & Book Chapters
• ChatGPT or Other Generative AI
• Class Materials (Notes, Slides, & Recordings)
• Creative Commons Works
• Encyclopedias, & Dictionaries
• Images, Charts, Graphs, & Tables
• Journal Articles
• Magazine Articles
• Newspaper Articles
• Personal Communications (Interviews, Emails, etc.)
• Religious Works
• Social Media
• Unpublished Manuscript or Paper
• Websites (includes documents/PDFs posted online)
• When Information Is Missing
• When a Work Is Quoted in Another Source
• Works in Another Language / Translations
• Permalinks, URLs, & DOIs!
• Quoting vs. Paraphrasing
• Works Cited & Paper Format
• Citation Tools

Unpublished Manuscripts or Papers

• Student Paper (including your own!)

Unpublished Manuscript

Student paper (including if you are citing your own previous work).

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