Dissertation References
Dissertation References
Prepared By: [Your Name]
1. Introduction
The reference section of a dissertation is a crucial component, adhering to academic integrity and providing the reader with resources for further exploration. It serves several purposes, including giving credit to original authors, substantiating the research, and allowing for verification of sources. This guide offers an in-depth look at various elements of the references section, including citation styles, reference list formatting, and examples of different types of sources.
2. Citation Styles
Different academic disciplines require different citation styles. The main citation styles include APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard. Each style has specific rules governing the format of in-text citations and the reference list.
2.1 American Psychological Association (APA)
The APA style is commonly used in the social sciences. It emphasizes the date of publication, presenting it immediately after the author’s name. Below is an example reference list entry for a book in APA style:
|
Element |
Format |
|---|---|
|
Book |
Author, A. A. (Year of Publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Publisher. |
|
Article |
Author, A. A. (Year of Publication). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume number(issue number), pages. |
2.2 Modern Language Association (MLA)
The MLA style is widely used in the humanities, particularly in writing on language and literature. It prioritizes the name of the author and the title of the source. Below is an example reference list entry for a book in MLA style:
|
Element |
Format |
|---|---|
|
Book |
Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Date. |
|
Article |
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Periodical, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages. |
3. Reference List Formatting
Proper formatting of the reference list ensures clarity and consistency. The following guidelines should be observed in general:
3.1 General Rules
-
Alphabetize entries by authors' last names.
-
Use a hanging indent for each reference.
-
Capitalize works as per citation style rules.
-
Italicize book and journal titles.
3.2 Cases & Variations
Special cases, such as multiple authors or no authors, should be handled according to the specific rules of the citation style in use:
-
If there are multiple authors, list up to 20 authors in APA format; for more than 20, list the first 19 followed by an ellipsis (...) and the final name.
-
If no author is available, start with the title of the work.
-
For online sources, include the retrieval link or DOI if available.
4. Examples of Varied References
4.1 Books
Books are a common source of information. Below are examples of how to cite a book in APA and MLA formats:
|
Example |
APA Style |
MLA Style |
|---|---|---|
|
Single Author Book |
Smith, J. A. (2050). The study of modern literature. Publisher. |
Smith, John. The Study of Modern Literature. Publisher, 2050. |
|
Multiple Authors Book |
Johnson, A. K., & Carter, L. B. (2055). Major themes in contemporary fiction. Publisher. |
Johnson, Alice K., and Liam B. Carter. Major Themes in Contemporary Fiction. Publisher, 2055. |
4.2 Journal Articles
Journal articles offer peer-reviewed research findings. Below are examples of how to cite a journal article in APA and MLA formats:
|
Example |
APA Style |
MLA Style |
|---|---|---|
|
Single Author Article |
Doe, J. (2050). The rise of digital scholarship. Journal of Modern Research, 45(2), 123-145. |
Doe, John. "The Rise of Digital Scholarship." Journal of Modern Research, vol. 45, no. 2, 2050, pp. 123-145. |
|
Multiple Authors Article |
Wong, T., & Patel, K. (2058). Understanding virtual learning environments. Educational Technology Journal, 32(1), 56-75. |
Wong, T., and K. Patel. "Understanding Virtual Learning Environments." Educational Technology Journal, vol. 32, no. 1, 2058, pp. 56-75. |
4.3 Online Sources
Online sources can include web pages, online articles, and digital reports. Below are examples of how to cite an online source in APA and MLA formats:
|
Example |
APA Style |
MLA Style |
|---|---|---|
|
Website Article |
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Date). Title of web page. Website name. URL |
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Web Page." Website Name, Publication date, URL. |
|
Online Report |
Organization Name. (Year). Title of report. URL |
Organization Name. Title of Report. Year, URL. |
5. Conclusion
The references section plays an integral role in the structure and integrity of a dissertation. Proper citation not only aids in the credibility of the work but also in nurturing a culture of academic honesty. Through this guide, the understanding of citation styles, formatting rules, and specific examples equips scholars to properly document their sources, ensuring a polished and respected piece of academic writing.
