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What information should be noted when citing unpublished dissertations?

October 30, 2025
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When citing unpublished dissertations, essential information includes clearly indicating the work's unpublished status, the awarding institution's details, and the year of completion. This accurately attributes the source while signaling its academic nature and accessibility constraints. Key requirements involve explicitly labeling the source as "Unpublished doctoral dissertation" or "Unpublished master's thesis", precisely naming the granting university including its location, stating the year of completion, and specifying retrieval details if accessed online (e.g., database name or URL). Permission from the author is strongly recommended before citation, especially given the work's unpublished nature. Primarily cite doctoral dissertations or master's theses completed as degree requirements, and exercise caution due to potential limited peer review and accessibility issues compared to published sources. Always verify the required style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago). Proper citation acknowledges original scholarship and allows readers to locate the source if accessible through institutional repositories or databases like ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. Implement by adhering strictly to your chosen citation style guide format, which typically structures the information as: Author. (Year). *Title* [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University Name. Optional: Retrieved from [URL or Database Name]. Avoid excessive reliance on such sources unless their contribution is significant and unavailable elsewhere.
What information should be noted when citing unpublished dissertations?
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