Chicago Style Dissertation Citation Guide

The Chicago Manual of Style provides guidelines. These guidelines cover the proper way. It applies to the citation of dissertations. Dissertations are completed for doctoral degrees. They require inclusion in bibliographies. Footnotes must also include them. They appear in academic papers. Citing a dissertation correctly is essential. The reason is to give appropriate credit. Credit is given to the original author. The practice also maintains academic integrity. It establishes research credibility. Citation practices ensure the accurate representation of sources. They are available to readers.

Alright, let’s dive into the fascinating world of citations, specifically when it comes to those mammoth dissertations! Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Citations? Snooze-fest!” But trust me, getting these right can be the difference between academic glory and, well, a citation-related headache. And we definitely want to avoid headaches, am I right?

First off, let’s talk about the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS). Think of it as the ultimate rulebook for academic writing, especially if you’re hanging out in the humanities or social sciences. It’s like the cool, sophisticated older sibling of all citation styles. CMOS gives structure and order to the chaos of research.

Within CMOS, there are a couple of ways to handle citations. But we’re gonna focus on the Notes and Bibliography system. This system uses footnotes or endnotes to give credit where credit is due, along with a comprehensive bibliography at the end. Think of it as giving a shout-out to all the brilliant minds that helped you along the way.

Now, why are we even talking about citing dissertations specifically? Well, these bad boys can be tricky! They’re not quite books, not quite journal articles, but something in between. That is why it’s important to correctly cite these. With all the details of author, university, title, and date, it’s easy to get things mixed up.

That’s where this guide comes in! By the end of this post, you’ll be a CMOS dissertation-citation ninja. We’ll break down the essentials, walk through examples, and tackle those pesky special cases. Let’s get started!

Decoding the DNA of a Chicago-Style Dissertation Citation: Essential Elements

Alright, so you’re staring at a dissertation, ready to sprinkle its brilliance into your own work, but the Chicago Manual of Style citation format feels like trying to decipher ancient hieroglyphics? Don’t sweat it! Think of each citation as a tiny story, and we’re just figuring out the plot points. A complete citation in CMOS has a few key ingredients, all working together to give credit where credit is due. Let’s break them down, one by one, in a way that will hopefully stick!

The Author: Who Wrote This Masterpiece?

First up, the author! Easy peasy, right? You’ll typically format their name as First Name Last Name. So, if Jane Doe penned the dissertation you’re citing, it’ll appear as Jane Doe in your notes. Dissertations are solo flights for the most part, so multiple authors are rare. Just the one name to deal with!

Title: What’s It All About?

Next, the title! This is where things get a teensy bit stylistic. According to Chicago, a dissertation title gets the italicized treatment. Think of it as giving the title a little spotlight! So, “The Sociological Impact of Cat Videos” would become The Sociological Impact of Cat Videos.

Got a subtitle? No problem! Just tack it on after the main title, separated by a colon. For example: The Sociological Impact of Cat Videos: A Purr-fect Analysis of Online Culture. Remember to capitalize the first word of the subtitle, too!

Dissertation/Thesis Specification: Nailing Down the Type

This part is super straightforward but oh-so-important. You need to clearly state whether it’s a dissertation (for a PhD) or a thesis (for a Master’s). The correct phrasing is either “PhD diss., [University Name], Year” or “Master’s thesis, [University Name], Year.” No need to overthink it; just plug in the right info!

University: Where Did This Genius Graduate From?

Give credit to the institution that nurtured this brilliant mind! Accurately state the name of the university where the author earned their degree. Just a simple, straightforward mention of where the degree was granted like for example: The University of Chicago, Harvard University etc.

Year of Publication: When Was This Work Completed?

The year is crucial. Use the year the dissertation was defended or accepted, not necessarily the copyright year. That’s the year the work officially became a dissertation. It marks the culmination of all that research and hard work! So, If the dissertation was defended in 2023, that’s the year you use!

Citing Dissertations Found Online: Adding Digital Access Information

So, you’ve tracked down that perfect dissertation online. Awesome! But citing it is a little different than if you had it in your hot little hands, right? Don’t worry, we’ll walk through how to give credit where credit’s due in the digital world.

UMI Dissertation Publishing (ProQuest)

Ever heard of UMI? It’s basically a giant vault of dissertations! Now known as ProQuest, UMI (University Microfilms International) has been preserving and distributing these scholarly works for ages. If your dissertation came from UMI/ProQuest, you’ll usually find a UMI number. This is a unique identifier, like a dissertation’s social security number. If you have it, include it in your citation – it helps others locate the exact version you used. It’s usually located on the dissertation’s record page or the first few pages of the PDF. Think of it as an *extra gold star*.

Database Name

Where did you actually find this digital gem? Was it ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global? Maybe EBSCOhost? Or perhaps some other academic database? Be specific! Naming the database is crucial because it tells people where you sourced the dissertation. It’s like saying, “I found this at the library, not on the street.” The name is usually prominently displayed on the website or the database landing page.

URL/DOI

Alright, let’s talk links! You’ve got two main options here: URLs and DOIs. A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the web address you see in your browser’s address bar. A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is like a permanent, unchangeable name tag for a digital document. If a DOI is available, use it! It’s much more stable than a URL, which can sometimes break or change over time. The DOI is usually found on the dissertation’s landing page, near the abstract, or sometimes embedded in the PDF itself. When you format it, just slap “https://doi.org/” in front of it, like this: https://doi.org/10.1234/example.

Accessed Date

Here’s a head’s up: URLs can be a bit… flakier than that questionable friend from college. Websites change, content moves, stuff happens. That’s why including an accessed date is super important! It tells everyone exactly when you last saw the dissertation at that URL. If the link goes dead later, at least they know it was there once! Use this format: Month Day, Year (e.g., October 26, 2023). *Trust me, future you will thank you for this.*

Crafting the Bibliography Entry: Your Ticket to Citation Perfection!

Think of your bibliography as the grand finale of your academic performance—the part where you get to show off all your hard work and research! It’s not just a list; it’s a testament to your scholarly journey, and its main purpose is to provide complete citation information so anyone can find the sources you used. Ready to make it shine? Let’s break it down, step by step!

Name Game: Author’s Name (Last Name, First Name)

Alright, let’s get the names right! Remember, in the bibliography, we flip the script: it’s Last Name, First Name. This isn’t casual Friday; it’s formal wear for your sources! This is crucial for organization and allows your readers to quickly scan and find the source they’re looking for.

Title Time: Dissertation Titles and Formatting

Now for the star of the show: the dissertation title. You’ve slaved away, so let’s present it correctly. Keep in mind the italics or “quotation marks” rules. Generally, dissertation titles get the italic treatment. As for capitalization, stick to title case—capitalize the first letter of each main word.

The Designation: “Dissertation/Thesis” Demystified

Next up is the all-important designation. You’ve got to tell your readers if you cited a dissertation or a thesis. Use the precise phrasing: “PhD diss.” or “Master’s thesis.” Easy peasy, right?

University & Year: The Where and When

Now, let’s talk location and time. Make sure to include the full and correct name of the university that granted the degree, followed by the year the dissertation was accepted. (Not necessarily the year of printing!)

Online Access: Database, URL/DOI – Show Me the Way!

Did you find your dissertation online? Then this is crucial! Include the name of the database (e.g., ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global), and the all-important URL or DOI. Remember, a DOI is like a digital fingerprint – it’s more stable and preferred over a URL, which can sometimes be a bit of a hide-and-seek champ!

Putting It All Together: An Example to drool Over.

Here is what all this looks like put together

• Smith, John. “The Impact of Social Media on Political Discourse.” PhD diss., University of California, Berkeley, 2023. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global, https://www.proquest.com/docview/1234567890.

Print Vs Online: A Quick Note!

If you are using a physical print copy, then you need to omit the database and URL/DOI. So make sure you know the differences for each!

Creating the Note (Footnote/Endnote): Quick and Easy Guide

Alright, let’s talk notes! In the Chicago Manual of Style, notes, whether they’re footnotes at the bottom of the page or endnotes at the end of a chapter or document, are where you provide citations within your text. Think of them as breadcrumbs, guiding your readers to the source of your information. They’re essential for giving credit where it’s due and avoiding plagiarism. And in CMOS, you will be use a SUPERscript to refer the reader to the notes either in the footer or the end of the document.

When crafting your note, remember the order matters. It goes like this: Author’s First Name Last Name, Title of the Dissertation, “Dissertation/Thesis” designation, University, Year, and then, if applicable, the page numbers, URL/DOI, and accessed date. Let’s break down each component:

• Author’s Name (First Name Last Name): Unlike the bibliography entry, the note starts with the author’s first name. Easy peasy!
• Title of the Dissertation: Just like in the bibliography, the title gets either italicized or put in “quotation marks,” depending on whether it’s published or unpublished.
• “Dissertation/Thesis” Designation: This is where you clarify whether it’s a PhD diss. or a Master’s thesis. Precision is key!
• University, Year: The university where the dissertation was defended, followed by the year it was completed.

Now, if you’re citing a specific passage or idea from a particular page or section, include the page number(s). If you accessed the dissertation online, you’ll need to include the URL/DOI and the accessed date – this ensures your reader can find the exact source you used.

Here’s an example of a complete footnote/endnote:

1. John Smith, "The Impact of Social Media on Political Discourse" (PhD diss., University of California, Berkeley, 2023), 45, https://www.proquest.com/docview/1234567890 (accessed October 26, 2023).

Subsequent Citations/Shortened Notes

No one wants to read the same long citation over and over again. That’s where shortened notes come in! After you’ve provided the full citation once, you can use a shortened version in subsequent notes. Here’s how:

Format: Author’s Last Name, “Shortened Title,” Page Number(s).

Example: Smith, “Social Media,” 48.

See? Much simpler! This keeps your writing clean and avoids unnecessary repetition. Just make sure your “Shortened Title” is easily recognizable so your reader knows exactly which source you’re referring to.

Navigating Special Cases and Unique Scenarios: When the Citation Road Gets a Little Bumpy

Alright, so you’ve got the basics of citing dissertations down pat. You’re feeling confident, maybe even a little smug. But academic life, much like that surprise plot twist in your favorite show, loves to throw curveballs. Let’s talk about those sticky situations that might make you scratch your head and question your citation sanity.

ProQuest and the Mysterious UMI Number

Ever stumble upon a dissertation on ProQuest and wonder, “What in the world is a UMI number, and why do I need it?” Well, UMI (now part of ProQuest) is basically the library of dissertations. Think of the UMI number as the dissertation’s social security number – it’s unique and helps people find it.

So, if you’re citing a dissertation from ProQuest, make sure you include:

• The UMI number (if available)
• The database name: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global
• The URL or DOI (if you accessed it online)

It’s like giving your source a proper introduction: “Hey, this is John. You can find him at ProQuest, UMI number 1234567.”

Digital vs. Dead Tree: Online or Print Dissertation Citation

Here’s a fun fact: not all dissertations live in the digital world. Some still exist only in hardcopy form, lurking in the depths of university libraries. When citing a print dissertation, you can skip the database information and URL/DOI. Your citation is streamlined like a classic car, just the essential elements that you need to do the job.

Essentially, online dissertations need a little extra info so people can find them in the vast digital wilderness. Print dissertations? They’re old-school cool and keep things simple.

Here’s a quick comparison table for clarity:

Element	Online Dissertation	Print Dissertation
Database Name	Include (e.g., ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global)	Omit
URL/DOI	Include (if available)	Omit
Accessed Date	Include (if URL is used)	Omit

Abbreviate or Not to Abbreviate?: The Short and Sweet of CMOS

CMOS loves abbreviations! They’re like the inside jokes of the citation world. Knowing a few key ones can save you time and space (especially in those pesky footnotes).

Here are some common abbreviations you might encounter:

• p. = page
• pp. = pages
• ch. = chapter
• no. = number
• ed. = editor/edition
• trans. = translator

Use them wisely, and you’ll be speaking the CMOS language like a pro. But, when in doubt, spell it out. It’s always better to be clear than cryptic.

So, there you have it! Citing your dissertation in Chicago style doesn’t have to be a headache. Just remember these tips, and you’ll be golden. Now go forth and cite with confidence!