When it comes to writing a dissertation is crucial for acknowledging best dissertation writing services review. One of the commonly used citation styles in academic writing is the American Psychological Association (APA) format. Knowing how to accurately cite a dissertation in APA style is essential for maintaining the integrity and credibility of your work. In this article, we will explore the guidelines and steps for citing a dissertation in APA format, as well as provide helpful tips and examples to help you properly reference your doctoral or master's dissertation.

APA Format for Dissertation Citation

Writing a dissertation is a major milestone in any graduate student's academic journey. It showcases the culmination of years of research, analysis, and writing. As such, it is important to properly cite and reference a dissertation in order to give credit to the original sources and to follow academic integrity standards. The American Psychological Association (APA) style is one of the most commonly used citation styles in academic writing, including dissertations. In this article, we will discuss the guidelines and steps for citing a dissertation in APA format.

Citing a Dissertation in APA Style

The APA style follows a specific format for citing dissertations, which includes the author's name, the dissertation title, the year of publication, and the institution where the dissertation was completed. The specific citation format may vary depending on whether the dissertation is published or unpublished, or if it is a doctoral or master's dissertation.

For Published Dissertations

When citing a published dissertation, the following elements are necessary:

• Author's last name, first and middle initial.
• (Year of publication).
• Dissertation title (in italics).
• Publisher.
• DOI or URL (if available).

For example:

Smith, J. A. (2018). Personality traits and job satisfaction: A study of employees in the retail industry. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. http://doi.org/10.1234/DI1234567

For Unpublished Dissertations

If the dissertation is unpublished, then the following information should be included in the citation:

• Author's last name, first and middle initial.
• (Year of completion).
• Dissertation title (in italics).
• [Unpublished doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis].
• Institution where the dissertation was completed.

For example:

Smith, J. A. (2018). Personality traits and job satisfaction: A study of employees in the retail industry. [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. XYZ University.

Guidelines for APA Dissertation Citation

When citing a dissertation in APA format, it is important to follow these guidelines:

• The author's name should be written as last name, first initial, middle initial.
• If there are multiple authors, list up to seven authors and separate their names with commas. If there are more than seven authors, list the first six authors, then insert an ellipsis (…) and add the last author's name.
• The title of the dissertation should be in italics.
• The year of publication or completion should be in parentheses.
• For unpublished dissertations, indicate the type of dissertation (doctoral or master's) and the institution where it was completed.
• If the dissertation has a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), include it in the citation. If not, include the URL or the ProQuest Publication number (if applicable).

Steps to Cite a Dissertation in APA

Here are the steps to follow when citing a dissertation in APA format:

1. Start with the author's last name, followed by their first and middle initial.
2. Include the year of publication or completion in parentheses.
3. Write the title of the dissertation in italics.
4. Add the publisher, DOI, or URL depending on the type of dissertation (published or unpublished).
5. For unpublished dissertations, specify the type (doctoral or master's) and the institution where it was completed.

Proper Way to Reference a Dissertation in APA

When referencing a dissertation in APA format, it is important to include the full citation in the reference list at the end of your paper. The reference should follow this format:

Last name, F. M. (Year). Title of dissertation (Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis). Publisher. DOI or URL

Here is an example:

Smith, J. A. (2018). Personality traits and job satisfaction: A study of employees in the retail industry (Doctoral dissertation). ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. http://doi.org/10.1234/DI1234567

Citation Tips for APA Dissertations

Here are some tips to keep in mind when citing a dissertation in APA format:

• Always check with your instructor or institution for any specific guidelines on citing dissertations.
• Make sure to include all the necessary information for the specific type of dissertation (published or unpublished).
• Use proper punctuation and capitalization in the citation.
• Double-check the accuracy of the information, including the spelling of the author's name and the year of publication.
• If you are citing multiple sources in the same sentence, separate each citation with a semicolon (;).

APA Citation for Doctoral Dissertations

APA format follows the same guidelines for citing doctoral dissertations. The only difference is that if the dissertation is published, the prefix "Doctoral dissertation" is removed from the citation and the publisher's name is added.

For example:

Last name, F. M. (Year). Title of dissertation (Publisher). DOI or URL

Example of APA Citation for Dissertation

Here is an example of a properly formatted APA citation for a dissertation:

Smith, J. A. (2018). Personality traits and job satisfaction: A study of employees in the retail industry (Doctoral dissertation). XYZ University.

Mastering Dissertation Citation in APA

Citing a dissertation in APA format may seem daunting at first, but with practice and familiarity with the guidelines, it can become second nature. It is important to remember to give credit to the original sources and to follow proper citation guidelines to maintain academic integrity.

APA Referencing for Academic Dissertations

The APA style is just one of the many citation styles used in academic writing. Other commonly used styles include MLA, Chicago, and Harvard. Whichever style you use, make sure to carefully follow the guidelines and to use reliable sources when conducting research for your dissertation.

In conclusion, properly citing a dissertation in APA format includes following the specific guidelines for the type of dissertation (published or unpublished), including all necessary information, and being consistent with punctuation and capitalization. Utilizing accurate and complete citations adds credibility to your work and showcases your attention to detail as a researcher.

How to Cite Dissertation APA

For more information and examples on how to cite dissertations in APA format, you can visit the APA Style website at http://usu.edu. They provide a detailed guide on citing various sources in APA style, including dissertations. Additionally, many universities and academic institutions also have their own guidelines for citing dissertations in APA format, so it is always best to check with your instructor or institution for any specific requirements.

In conclusion, mastering the proper way to cite a dissertation in APA format is essential for academic writing. By following the guidelines and steps outlined in this article, you can easily reference a dissertation in accordance with the APA style. Remember to include all necessary information, such as author name, publication date, and title, in the correct format and order. Additionally, consider using citation management tools to make the process even easier. With these tips and an example of APA citation for a dissertation, you can confidently and accurately reference doctoral dissertations in your own work. Properly citing sources not only supports your arguments but also shows respect to the original author's work. So, whether it's writing a master's thesis or a doctoral dissertation, always use APA referencing to maintain academic integrity and credibility.