[Doctoral dissertation, Name of Institution Awarding the Degree].
[Master's thesis, Name of Institution Awarding the Degree].
Database Name.
Archive Name.
Hutcheson, V. (2012). Dealing with dual differences: Social coping strategies of gifted and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer adolescents [Master's thesis, The College of William & Mary]. William & Mary Digital Archive. https://digitalarchive.wm.edu/handle/10288/16594
Parenthetical citations:
Narrative citation: Hutcheson (2012)
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Resources on using in-text citations in APA style
Resources on writing an APA style reference list, including citation formats
When creating references for dissertations, theses, and projects, you will need to determine the correct reference type to follow. Dissertations, theses, and projects are generally divided into two separate groups; those that are published and those that are unpublished.
In most cases, unpublished projects are those that are in print and available only from the degree-granting institution. On the other hand, published projects are those that are available in a database, a university archive, or a personal website.
Some URLs may be long and complicated. APA 7th edition allows the use of shorter URLs. Shortened URLs can be created using any URL shortener service; however, if you choose to shorten the URL, you must double-check that the URL is functioning and brings the reader to the correct website.
Common URL Shortner websites include:
For more information about URLs, see Section 9.36 on page 300 of APA Manual, 7th edition.
NOTE: Check your instructor's preference about using short URLs. Some instructors may want the full URL.
Some DOIs may be long and complicated. APA 7th edition allows the use of shorter DOI numbers. Shortened DOIs can be located at the International DOI Foundations, shortDOI Service .
For more information about DOIs, see Section 9.36 on page 300 of APA Manual, 7th edition.
NOTE: Check your instructor's preference for using short DOIs. Some instructors may want the full DOI.
Should my urls be live.
It depends. When adding URLs to a paper or other work, first, be sure to include the full hyperlink. This includes the http:// or the https://. Additionally, consider where and how the paper or work will be published or read. If the work will only be read in print or as a Word doc or Google Doc, then the URLs should not be live (i.e., they are not blue or underlined). However, if the work will be published or read online, then APA advises to include live URLs. This would allow the reader to click on a link and go to the source.
For more information, see Section 9.35 on pages 299-300 of the APA Manual, 7th edition.
NOTE: Check your instructor's preference about using live URLs. Some instructors may not want you to use live URLs.
When creating references for dissertations, theses, and projects, you will need to determine the correct reference type to follow. Dissertations, theses, and projects are generally divided into two separate groups; those that are published and those that are unpublished. In most cases, unpublished projects are those that are in print and available only from the degree-granting institution.
Panasuk, K. N. (2008). What variables appear to work in stress management programs in the workplace and how effective are
these programs [Unpublished master’s final project]? The College of St. Scholastica.
Begin the reference with the author's last name first. then, add the initials for the first and middle names (if the middle name or middle initial is provided). add a period after each initial, and if there is a middle initial, add a space between the initials., year of publication: (2008)..
Next, in parentheses, list the year of publication, which appears on the title page or the title verso page (back side of title page). Follow the parentheses with a period.
Next, add the title and subtitle of the master's thesis, dissertation, final applied project, or capstone. The title and subtitle are separated by a colon. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle and all proper nouns. Italicize the title and subtitle. Do not add a period immediately after the title. Instead, add brackets with the type of project (Master's project, doctoral dissertation, etc.) you are referencing. Before the type of project add "Unpublished". When choosing wording to describe the project, use the language the degree-granting institution uses to describe the project (e.g., Master's thesis, Doctoral dissertation, Final Applied Project, Capstone Project, Clinical Project, etc.). Add a period after the brackets. If the title has a question mark or exclamation mark, replace the period after the brackets with the proper punctuation mark used in the title.
Complete the reference with the source information, which is the full name of the college or university awarding the degree. add a period after the institution's name. more information:.
For more information about master's theses, dissertations, or capstone projects, Section 10.6 on pages 333-334 in the APA Manual, 7th edition.
(Panasuk, 2008)
Panasuk (2008) identified ...
For more information about author format within parenthetical and narrative citations, see Section 8.17 and Table 8.1 on page 266 of the APA Manual, 7th edition.
When creating references for dissertations, theses, and projects, you will need to determine the correct reference type to follow. Dissertations, theses, and projects are generally divided into two separate groups; those that are published and those that are unpublished. In most cases, published projects are those that are available in a database, a university archive, or a personal website.
Skallet, S. (2016). Environmental approval duration estimating model for improved linear energy construction project schedules (Publication No.
10125148) [Master's capstone project, The College of St. Scholastica]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses.
Begin the reference with the author's last name first. then, add the initials for the author's first and middle names (if a middle name or middle initial is provided). add a period after each initial, and if there is a middle initial, add a space between the initials. year of publication: (2016)..
Next, in parentheses, add the year of publication, which appears on the title page or the title page verso (back side of title page). Follow the parentheses with a period.
Next, add the title and subtitle (if there is a subtitle) of the capstone, final applied project, thesis, or dissertation. Separate the title and subtitle with a colon. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle and all proper nouns. Italicize the title. Do NOT add a period after the title.
After the title, in parentheses, add the publication number (normally found in the record of the project within ProQuest). Before the publication number put "Publication No." Do NOT add a period after the parentheses.
After the publication number, add brackets with the type of project (Master's thesis, Master's capstone project, doctoral dissertation, etc.) you are referencing. Use the language described by the degree-granting institution to describe the project. Then, add a comma and the name of the institution. Add a period after the brackets.
Complete the reference with the commercial database where you found the masters thesis/project. end with a period. more information: .
For more information on Master's Theses/Projects, see Section 10.6 on pages 333-334 in the APA Manual, 7th edition.
(Skallet, 2016)
Skallet (2016) argued ...
Adame, A. (2019). Fully immersed, fully present: Examining the user experience through the multimodal presence scale and virtual reality gaming
variables [Master's thesis, California State University San Bernardino]. CSUSB ScholarWorks Electronic Theses, Projects, &
Dissertations. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/918/
Begin the reference with the author's last name first. Then, add the initials of the author's first and middle names (if a middle name or middle initial is provided). Add a period after each initial, and if there is a middle initial, add a space between the initials.
Next, in parentheses, add the year of publication, which appears on the title page or the title verso page (back side of the title page). Follow the parentheses with a period.
Next, add the title and subtitle (if there a subtitle present) of the thesis or project. Separate the title and subtitle with a colon. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle as well as proper nouns. Italicize the title and subtitle. Do NOT add a period after the title. Instead, after the title, add brackets with the type of project (Master's thesis, doctoral dissertation, etc.) you are referencing. Use the language described by the degree-granting institution to describe the project. Then, add a comma and the name of the institution. Add a period after the brackets.
Complete the reference with the name of the website or archive where you found the project. After the name of the website or archive, add a period. Then, add the URL to the project.
For more information about Master's Theses or Projects, see Section 10.6 on page 333 and example 66 on page 334 in the APA Manual, 7th edition.
(Adame, 2019)
Adame (2019) distinguished between ...
All you need to know about citations
To cite a master's thesis in a reference entry in APA style 6th edition include the following elements:
Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of a master's thesis in APA style 6th edition:
Author(s) of the thesis . ( Year of publication ). Title of the master's thesis (Master's thesis). Retrieved from URL
If the thesis is available from a database, archive or any online platform use the following template:
Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of a master's thesis in APA style 7th edition:
Author(s) of the thesis . ( Year of publication ). Title of the Master's thesis ( Publication number ) [Master's thesis, Name of the degree awarding institution ]. Name of Platform . URL
If the thesis has not been published or is available from a database use the following template:
Author(s) of the thesis . ( Year of publication ). Title of the master's thesis (Unpublished master's thesis). Name of the degree awarding institution , Location .
If the thesis is not published, use the following template:
Author(s) of the thesis . ( Year of publication ). Title of the master's thesis [Unpublished master's thesis]. Name of the degree awarding institution .
Take a look at our reference list examples that demonstrate the APA style guidelines for a master's thesis citation in action:
A master's thesis found in an online platform
Bauger, L . ( 2011 ). Personality, passion, self-esteem and psychological well-being among junior elite athletes in Norway ( Master's Thesis ). Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/29a9/ef96c34e577211246b83b11813a2585033c5.pdf
Bauger, L . ( 2011 ). Personality, passion, self-esteem and psychological well-being among junior elite athletes in Norway [ Master's Thesis , University of Tromsø ]. Semantic Scholar . https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/29a9/ef96c34e577211246b83b11813a2585033c5.pdf
An unpublished master's thesis
Aube, K. E . ( 2019 ). A comparison of water main failure prediction models in San Luis Obispo, CA ( Unpublished master's thesis ). Cal Poly , San Luis Obispo, CA .
Aube, K. E . ( 2019 ). A comparison of water main failure prediction models in San Luis Obispo, CA [ Unpublished master's thesis ]. Cal Poly .
This citation style guide is based on the official Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association ( 6 th edition).
Automatic citations in seconds
Alternative to.
Dissertations and theses database.
Author last name, first initial. (Year). Title of dissertation/thesis (Publication No.) [Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis, University]. Database. URL
See specific examples below.
Dissertations:
Pecore, J. T. (2004). Sounding the spirit of Cambodia: The living tradition of Khmer music and dance-drama in a Washington, DC community (Publication No. 3114720) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Maryland]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
Master's Theses:
Hollander, M. M. (2017). Resitance to authority: Methodological innovations and new lessons from the Milgram experiment (Publication No. 10289373) [Master's thesis, University of Wisconsin - Madison]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
APA calls for the citation to include a unique identifying number for the dissertation, labeling it “Publication No.” That number can be found in Dissertations and Theses database, listed in the item record as “Dissertation/thesis number.”
Karamanos, X. (2020). The influence of professional development models on student mathematics performance in New Jersey public elementary schools [Doctoral dissertation, Seton Hall University]. Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/2732
Bordo, V. C. (2011). Making a case for the use of foreign language in the educational activities of nonprofit arts organizations [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses & Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1311135640
Caprette, C. L. (2005). Conquering the cold shudder: The origin and evolution of snake eyes [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University].
Angelova, A. N. (2004). Data pruning [Master's thesis, California Institute of Technology].
See Publication Manual , 10.6.
Citing a thesis in APA format is a critical skill for students and researchers alike. This blog post will guide you through the essentials of APA citation for theses, ensuring your academic work adheres to widely accepted standards.
The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is commonly used in the social sciences, education, and psychology fields. It provides a consistent framework for referencing sources, including theses.
An APA citation for a thesis includes several key components: the author’s name, publication year, thesis title, university name, and the URL or database name (if applicable).
These elements are arranged in a specific order and format to ensure clarity and uniformity in scholarly communication. Understanding and correctly applying these components is crucial for accurate and ethical academic writing.
Accurate citation is vital for several reasons. It acknowledges the original author’s work, provides readers with the context and sources of your research, and helps avoid plagiarism. Proper citation is not just a formal requirement; it’s a sign of academic integrity and respect within the research community.
For expert assistance in crafting your thesis and ensuring accurate APA citations, consider the specialized services offered at thesisrush.com , a resource dedicated to supporting students with their academic writing challenges.
1. formatting the author’s name and publication year.
When citing a thesis in APA format, begin with the author’s last name followed by a comma, then the initial(s) of their first and middle names (if available).
After the author’s name, include the publication year in parentheses. This information is crucial as it identifies the thesis’s creator and the time of its creation, helping readers locate the source.
Next, include the title of the thesis in sentence case, capitalizing only the first word and any proper nouns. Italicize the title to distinguish it from other elements of the citation.
Following the title, state the name of the university where the thesis was submitted. This detail provides context about the academic environment in which the research was conducted.
If the thesis is available online, conclude the citation with the URL or the name of the database where it can be found.
This information is crucial in the digital age, as it allows readers to access the source material directly. Make sure the URL is accurate and leads to the specific document to ensure ease of access for your audience.
When citing an unpublished thesis, the format slightly differs from a published one. An example of an unpublished thesis citation in APA format would be:
This example demonstrates how to format each element, from the author’s name to the university’s name, for an unpublished thesis.
For a published thesis retrieved from a database, the citation includes the database name or URL. An example is:
This citation shows the inclusion of the database where the thesis can be accessed, a crucial detail for published theses.
Citing a thesis found online requires including the direct URL. An example of this citation is:
This example illustrates the format for citing a thesis available on a university’s digital repository, emphasizing the inclusion of a retrievable URL.
Inaccurate author details.
One common mistake is inaccurately recording the author’s name or initials. Always double-check these details against the original source to ensure accuracy.
Another error is incorrect title formatting. Remember, the thesis title should be in sentence case and italicized. Paying attention to these details is crucial for consistency in APA citations.
Omitting the university name or the URL (for online theses) can lead to incomplete citations. Ensure every element of the citation is included and correctly formatted.
When including direct quotes from a thesis, it’s important to provide page numbers in the citation. This helps readers locate the specific part of the thesis you’re referencing. For instance:
This citation shows how to incorporate a page number, enhancing the accuracy and usefulness of your reference.
In cases where a thesis has multiple authors, list them in the order they appear in the source. Use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name. For example:
This format acknowledges all contributors, maintaining the integrity of your citation.
Sometimes, certain information like the publication year or university name might be missing. In such cases, use placeholders like “n.d.” (no date) or provide as much information as possible. Be thorough in your search for information to minimize these occurrences.
Online generators.
There are numerous online tools available to assist with APA citation. These generators can automatically format your references, but it’s important to double-check their accuracy. Examples include Citation Machine and BibMe.
Academic databases and university libraries often provide guides and resources for APA citation. Utilizing these resources ensures that your citations are aligned with the latest APA standards.
When in doubt, consulting with your instructor or a librarian can provide clarity and ensure that your citations are correct. Their expertise can be invaluable, especially for complex or unusual citation scenarios.
Mastering APA citations for theses is a fundamental skill for students and researchers. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the process, from understanding the basics to correctly formatting each citation component.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure your academic work adheres to the highest standards of scholarly communication , maintaining integrity and credibility in your field.
Fast and free citation generator APA 6th and 7th ed. • MLA 8th ed. • Chicago 16th ed.
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Blue text | Replace with information from source |
Purple bold text | Text required by the APA style |
[Gray text in brackets] | Tips |
Capitalization.
For papers written in United States list City and State. For countries outside United States list City and Country.
Author , A . A . ( Year ). Title of dissertation/thesis (Unpublished doctoral dissertation [OR] Unpublished master's thesis). Academic Institution , City , State [OR] Country .
Author , A ( Year ). Title of dissertation/thesis (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from Name of database . ( Accession or Order Number )
Cooley, T. (2009). Design, development, and implementation of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): The Hartford Job Corps Academy case study (Doctoral dissertation). Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 3344745)
For U.S. thesis do not include university or locations. Include the university and location (City and Country) for a non-U.S. online thesis.
Author , A . A . ( Year ). Title of dissertation/thesis (Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis). Retrieved from http:// url.com
For U.S. thesis do not include locations. Include the location (City and Country) for a non-U.S. online thesis.
Author , A . A . ( Year ). Title of dissertation/thesis (Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis, Institution issuing degree). Retrieved from http:// www.url.com
Consider your source's credibility. ask these questions:, contributor/author.
Generate citations in APA format quickly and automatically, with MyBib!
An APA citation generator is a software tool that will automatically format academic citations in the American Psychological Association (APA) style.
It will usually request vital details about a source -- like the authors, title, and publish date -- and will output these details with the correct punctuation and layout required by the official APA style guide.
Formatted citations created by a generator can be copied into the bibliography of an academic paper as a way to give credit to the sources referenced in the main body of the paper.
College-level and post-graduate students are most likely to use an APA citation generator, because APA style is the most favored style at these learning levels. Before college, in middle and high school, MLA style is more likely to be used. In other parts of the world styles such as Harvard (UK and Australia) and DIN 1505 (Europe) are used more often.
Like almost every other citation style, APA style can be cryptic and hard to understand when formatting citations. Citations can take an unreasonable amount of time to format manually, and it is easy to accidentally include errors. By using a citation generator to do this work you will:
In academia, bibliographies are graded on their accuracy against the official APA rulebook, so it is important for students to ensure their citations are formatted correctly. Special attention should also be given to ensure the entire document (including main body) is structured according to the APA guidelines. Our complete APA format guide has everything you need know to make sure you get it right (including examples and diagrams).
Our APA generator was built with a focus on simplicity and speed. To generate a formatted reference list or bibliography just follow these steps:
MyBib supports the following for APA style:
⚙️ Styles | APA 6 & APA 7 |
---|---|
📚 Sources | Websites, books, journals, newspapers |
🔎 Autocite | Yes |
📥 Download to | Microsoft Word, Google Docs |
Daniel is a qualified librarian, former teacher, and citation expert. He has been contributing to MyBib since 2018.
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universalSourceForm.overwrites.thesis.intro.text,universalSourceForm.defaults.intro.text
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A dissertation or thesis is considered published when it is available from a database such as ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global or PDQT Open, an institutional repository, or an archive. If the database assigns publication numbers to dissertations and theses, include the publication number in parentheses after the title of the ...
The format for citing someone else's dissertation or thesis in APA Style depends on whether the thesis is available from a database, published somewhere else (e.g. on a university archive or personal website), or unpublished (only available in print form directly from the author or university).
In this citation guide, you will learn how to reference and cite an undergraduate thesis, master's thesis, or doctoral dissertation. This guide will also review the differences between a thesis or dissertation that is published and one that has remained unpublished. The guidelines below come from the 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2020a ...
Provide guidance on APA format style based on the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual.
Narrative citation: Harris (2014) When a dissertation or thesis is unpublished, include the description " [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]" or " [Unpublished master's thesis]" in square brackets after the dissertation or thesis title. In the source element of the reference, provide the name of the institution that awarded the degree.
Dissertations and theses are formatted the same way in APA 7th edition. Theses are generally the culminating work for a master's or undergraduate degree and dissertations are often original research completed by doctoral students. Here are examples of a dissertation & a thesis, and how they would be formatted:
Author, A. A. (year). Title of dissertation (Publication No. xxxxxxxxx). [Doctoral dissertation or Masters thesis, Name of
Learn everything you need about APA Style in-text citations and references. Or try Scribbr's free APA Citation Generator!
APA 7th referencing style This is a guide to using the APA7 referencing style from the American Psychological Association. It is based on the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
Resources for learning how to cite your sources using APA Style 7th Edition guidelines.
your dissertation in APA Style, 7th Edition. rmatting Your DissertationPage and Text RequirementsPage SizeIt is recommended that Standard Letter. (8.5 x 11 inches) is used, unless otherwise specified.Margins1 inch for all ma. p, bottom, left, right) throughou. the entire document.SpacingAll text should b.
Determine how to cite a thesis in APA. Citing theses and dissertations in your research paper and in your reference list correctly is important.
The Purdue OWL® APA Formatting and Style Guide provides comprehensive guidelines for writing in APA style.
For more information about master's theses, dissertations, or capstone projects, Section 10.6 on pages 333-334 in the APA Manual, 7th edition. Parenthetical & Narrative Citation Examples Parenthetical Citation Example: (Panasuk, 2008) Narrative Citation Example: Panasuk (2008) identified ...
APA reference list examples Take a look at our reference list examples that demonstrate the APA style guidelines for a master's thesis citation in action:
Learn how to set up APA format for your paper. From the title page and headings to references and citations.
APA calls for the citation to include a unique identifying number for the dissertation, labeling it "Publication No." That number can be found in Dissertations and Theses database, listed in the item record as "Dissertation/thesis number."
Find detailed information for APA style Paper Format, In-text citations, Mechanics of style, and Bias-Free language. Look here for answers to tricky questions like how to cite obscure source types and for explanations of APA rules.
Master the art of citing theses in APA style with our comprehensive guide. Ensure proper citations for academic excellence.
Automatically generate bibliographies, references and title pages in APA, MLA and Chicago styles.
Your dissertation should include a title page, text, and references. They may include additional elements, such as tables and figures. Arrange the pages of an APA Style paper in the following order: Title page - required
Creating accurate citations in APA has never been easier! Automatically cite a thesis in APA by using Citation Machine's free citation generator.
Generate APA style citations quickly and accurately with our FREE APA citation generator. Enter a website URL, book ISBN, or search with keywords, and we do the rest! Updated with APA 7th Edition!
Thesis / Dissertation Cite a thesis or dissertation (unpublished, published online, or accessed through a database). Use other forms to cite books , journal articles , reports , and conference proceedings . Source type Required Thesis Title Required Contributors Recommended Add person Add organization Type of text Recommended Year of submission ...