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IEEE: cite a doctoral dissertation
A source-specific IEEE example, the details to collect and the checks needed for a doctoral dissertation.
Choose the actual source form
Check the actual degree and document designation used by the institution. This example is a doctoral dissertation, not a generic template for every master’s thesis or undergraduate work. Publication in a repository can change the source information required in the reference.
Use the named convention
Keep the numbered reference connected to the work it identifies. The example uses reference number 1 to make the structure easy to read; a real reference list must use the numbering and source-specific form required by the destination publication.
- This is an online doctoral dissertation with department, university and location.
- The document type should follow the actual work.
Gather the source details
- Verify the author, title and completion year.
- Record the awarding institution and actual document designation.
- Distinguish an unpublished institutional copy from a repository publication.
- Keep any repository name, publication number or source location required for that version.
- Author
- Maya Stone
- Title as supplied
- A sample dissertation
- Publication year
- 2024
- Containing work or site
- Example Repository
- Awarding or responsible institution
- Example University
- Publication place
- London
- Source location
- https://example.org/dissertation
An independently written example
This fictional source lists a city but does not supply a country for the publication or institution location. Treat the reference as incomplete until you have checked the actual source location. A city name alone does not establish the country.
[1] M. Stone, “A sample dissertation,” Ph.D. dissertation, Dept. Sample Studies, Example University, London, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://example.org/dissertation
Review the part that is easy to miss
A dissertation later adapted into a book or article is a different cited work. A repository host is not the degree-awarding institution, and the label thesis or dissertation should follow the actual source rather than a guess from its country.
Check the source form, supplied abbreviations, edition, location and identifier. A journal article, a published conference paper, a live presentation and a technical report have different requirements even when their titles are similar.
Check the publication location
Check the country in the publisher or institution’s stated location. Do not infer a country from a city name or use this city-only example as a complete reference.
Keep the source record with you
Use Citelle to keep bibliographic details and prepare reference drafts on your phone. Compare the final entry with the actual work and the convention required by your instructor or publisher before submitting it.