How To Cite Sources In A Dissertation: Writing Help For Students


Needless to say, presentation is extremely essential. This is not because there is any goodness in following rules for their own advantage but because the rules actually make sense. Indeed, a dissertation or essay that is well-composed and correctly laid out will definitely acquire the reader’s confidence and pass on the message to them as proficiently as possible. Assuredly, getting the presentation right is a valuable part of a writer’s expertise. The origin of all unpublished and published documents regardless of format such as internet, electronic, non-print or print directly quoted from, referred to, summarized or paraphrased in your thesis, dissertation, project or essay must be recognized. This process of recognizing other people’s work is referred to as citing. Students are expected to point out the sources that they refer to when writing papers. Whether they are paraphrasing another author’s refection or thoughts or using direct quotations, it is necessary to provide a citation so that it’s going to be easy for their readers to follow their trail.


In citing sources in a dissertation, students must pay attention to the following:

  • Sources are in point of fact indicated two times in a document; first at the point where a document authored by another person is referred to which is called in-text citation and the second one is in the reference list or bibliography section which is located at the end of the document.

  • In citing a dissertation or thesis, it is fundamental to include such information in your bibliography; the precise style will vary according to the system of citation an author is currently using. You have to include the author’s name, year of publication (must be written in brackets), thesis title (written in italics), type of degree (for instance, M.Sc. or Ph.D), the name of the university and country.

Take into consideration that the valuable features when citing and referencing comprise of:

  1. a table of contents that can be utilized as an instant instruction on every page.
  2. instances of in-text citing which are purposely for every type of source
  3. simple explanations of symbols and key terms utilized in referencing
  4. more exhaustive coverage of types of reference
  5. guidelines for page numbers above each page
  6. notes incorporated with individual instances where applicable, underscoring specifics that might be discounted
  7. advices for tables, figures as well as musical notation which are located at Appendix A
  8. an immediate instruction for citing articles located at Appendix B
  9. an immediate instruction to in-text citing located at Appendix C
  10. a sample list of reference which can be cited at Appendix D

It is essential to consider that good referencing is a vital component of an exceptional academic writing. This aspect is indispensable for several reasons:

  • It illustrates how your work links to others who have written on the same topic.
  • It reveals the breadth and depth of your reading.
  • It allows readers of your work to cite the original data source.
  • It enables your ideas to attract attention more transparently within the text.
  • Most essentially, it aids to minimize the likelihood of plagiarism as you will have affirmed all of your sources of ideas and information.
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