Academic Integrity: Citing Theses, Dissertations, and Databases

As you advance in your academic career, you will frequently encounter work that hasn't been published in a traditional book or journal. Dissertations, theses, and database entries are vital scholarly contributions that require specific citation formats to acknowledge the author's intellectual property.

Dissertations and Theses

Whether it is a PhD dissertation, a Master's thesis, or an Undergraduate honors thesis, the citation structure is similar. You must indicate the type of work in brackets (e.g., [Doctoral dissertation] or [Master's thesis]) and the University that awarded the degree.

Why is this important? It tells the reader that the work was reviewed by an academic committee at a specific institution, giving it a level of credibility distinct from a standard book or web article.

Citing Databases and Software

In the modern era, we often treat software and databases as tools rather than sources, but they must be cited. For a database like ERIC or PubMed, if there is no specific author, start with the database title.

For software (e.g., statistical software like SPSS or specialized tools like Comprehensive Meta-Analysis), you should list the Version Number and the Location of the manufacturer.

Example: Comprehensive Meta-Analysis [Computer Software]. Version 3.3. Englewood, NJ: Biostat; 2014.

Avoiding Plagiarism

Properly citing these sources is a key part of academic integrity. Accidental plagiarism often occurs when students use data from a database or an idea from a dissertation without attribution. Using a reliable tool like Cite Master can help you track and format these references correctly.

If you are unsure about the ethical implications of your research, review our About Page to see how we support honest academic practices.