How to Cite a Dissertation in Harvard Style: A Simple Guide
Dissertations are significant academic works, representing years of research and scholarly effort. Properly citing them demonstrates academic integrity and allows readers to easily locate the source material. The Harvard referencing style, popular for its author-date system, provides a clear and consistent method for citing dissertations. This guide will walk you through the process, simplifying the complexities and providing clear examples.
1. Understanding the Basics of Harvard Referencing
Harvard referencing relies on in-text citations that briefly identify the source within your writing, followed by a full reference in a bibliography (or reference list) at the end of your work. The in-text citation usually includes the author's surname and the year of publication. For dissertations, this remains the core principle, but with specific considerations for the unique nature of the document.
2. In-Text Citations for Dissertations
The in-text citation for a dissertation follows the standard Harvard format: (Author's Surname, Year). However, it’s crucial to accurately reflect whether you are referring to the entire dissertation or a specific part of it.
Referencing the whole dissertation: If you're referencing the overall findings or arguments of the dissertation, the citation is straightforward. For example:
"Recent research on climate change mitigation strategies suggests a shift towards renewable energy sources (Smith, 2023)."
Referencing specific parts of the dissertation: If referencing a specific chapter, section, or page number, you should be more precise in your in-text citation. Unfortunately, page numbers are not always easily accessible in electronic dissertations. In such cases, if a chapter or section title is available, you could include this information parenthetically following the year. For instance:
If accessing a printed copy or an online version with page numbers, include the page number:
"Smith (2023, p. 45) highlights the importance of..."
3. Bibliography/Reference List Entries for Dissertations
The bibliography entry provides the complete information needed for a reader to locate the dissertation. The format varies slightly depending on whether the dissertation is accessed online or in print.
a) Printed Dissertation:
```
Author's Surname, Initial(s). (Year). Title of dissertation. Unpublished PhD/MPhil/EdD thesis, University Name, City, Country.
```
Example:
```
Smith, J.A. (2023). The impact of social media on political polarization. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
```
b) Online Dissertation:
For online dissertations, include the URL and the date you accessed the resource. The URL may be a repository link like EThOS or a university library website.
```
Author's Surname, Initial(s). (Year). Title of dissertation. [Online]. Available at: [URL] [Accessed Date].
```
Example:
```
Jones, B.M. (2022). The effects of mindfulness on student wellbeing. [Online]. Available at: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.864321 [Accessed 15 October 2023].
```
Remember to replace the bracketed information with the actual details of the dissertation.
4. Handling Multiple Authors and Editors
If the dissertation has multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the title page, separating them with commas and using an ampersand (&) before the last author's name. If there are editors, replace "Author's Surname" with "Editor's Surname(s)" and make it clear it's an edited work (e.g., “Edited by…”).
5. Dealing with Unpublished Dissertations
Unpublished dissertations are treated as above, specifying "Unpublished PhD thesis," "Unpublished MA thesis," etc., in the bibliography entry. This indicates the work's limited accessibility compared to published material.
Actionable Takeaways
Always prioritize accuracy in your citations.
Be consistent in your application of Harvard referencing throughout your work.
If in doubt, consult your institution's style guide or seek advice from a librarian.
Double-check all URLs and access dates for online dissertations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What if the dissertation doesn't have a year? If you can't find a publication year, use "n.d." (no date) in place of the year.
2. How do I cite a chapter from a published dissertation? If a dissertation chapter is published as a stand-alone article, cite it like a journal article. If it's only accessible within the complete dissertation, follow the dissertation citation rules, but make a specific reference to the chapter within the in-text citation.
3. Can I cite a dissertation abstract? Yes, cite the abstract as you would the full dissertation, but note in the bibliography that you only consulted the abstract. For example: "Abstract consulted from [Source]."
4. What if the dissertation is in a language other than English? Include the language of the dissertation in the bibliography entry, such as "(in German)" or "(in French)".
5. Where can I find more information on Harvard referencing? Your university library website will likely have a comprehensive style guide, or you can find reputable online resources dedicated to citation styles.
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