How to Cite Theses and Reports in Harvard Style
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Students should consult academic theses and dissertations when writing their own academic papers. These can be found in student libraries and online archives and must be properly referenced to safeguard students from accusations of plagiarism.
Citing a printed thesis
To cite a printed thesis or dissertation you will need the following information:
- Author name
- Year of publication
- Thesis title
- Award and type of qualification
- Awarding body
Format for citing a printed thesis: Harvard style
Surname, Initial(s). (Year of publication) Title. Award and type of qualification. Awarding body.
For example:
Robak, M. (2016) Practicing What We’re Taught: An Analysis of Pre-Clinical and Clinical Medical Education of Compassionate Care at Harvard Medical School. PhD thesis. Harvard University.
Delor, P. (2015) Technology, Consumerism and Development: A Study of Collaborative Consumerism and Market Relations in Developing Countries. Master’s thesis. Oxford University.
Citing a thesis available online
If a thesis is available online, in addition to the information above, you will also need to include the publication site of the thesis and the date on which you viewed the thesis.
Format for citing a thesis available online: Harvard style
Surname, Initial(s). (Year of publication) Title. Award and type of qualification. Awarding body. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).
For example:
Kyei-Nimakoh, M. (2017) Management and Referral of Obstetric Complications: A Study in the Upper East Region of Ghana. PhD thesis. Victoria University. Available at: https://vuir.vu.edu.au/35051/1/KYEI-NIMAKOH%20Minerva-
Thesis_nosignatures.pdf (Accessed: 15 November 2018).