How do I reference a thesis… in the Cranfield Author-date style?
03/06/2015

Because theses are not published in the traditional manner, if you’re using them in your research, you will need to identify them as such in your references. This means that a thesis reference looks slightly different from book or report type references.
A print thesis or dissertation
What to include in an Author-date reference:
- Author (surname, initials)
- (Year of publication)
- Title
- Name of degree award eg BSc, PhD, MSc
- Degree-awarding body
Here are some examples of what your bibliographic references might look like:
D’Allance, V. (2012) Banking efficiencies in Russia and Brazil in context of the global financial crisis. MSc thesis. Cranfield University.
Knight, E.R.W.F. (2010) The finance of climate change: transitioning to a low carbon economy. PhD thesis. University of Oxford.
MacKie, D.J. (2013) The effectiveness of strength-based executive coaching in enhancing transformational leadership. PsyD thesis. University of Leicester.
An online thesis or dissertation
If you have retrieved a thesis online, some additional information is required.
What to include in the reference:
- Author (surname, initials)
- (Year of publication)
- Title
- Name of degree award, e.g. BSc, PhD, MSc
- Degree awarding body
- Available at: URL
- (Accessed: date)
Here are some examples of what your bibliographic references might look like:
Champniss, G. (2013) All for one and one for all: encouraging prosocial behaviours through brand-convened consumer groups. PhD thesis. Cranfield University. Available at: http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/8067. (Accessed: 23/03/2015).
Marin-Uribe, P.L. (1995) The impact of liberalization on market structure in the European airline industry. PhD thesis. London School of Economics and Political Science. Available at: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.307656. (Accessed: 24/03/2015).
As always if you have any questions about referencing, pop into MIRC or contact us.
Feature image from Pixabay. Available at: https://pixabay.com/photos/student-typing-keyboard-text-woman-849824/
Categories & Tags:
Leave a comment on this post:
You might also like…
A transition from working life back to student life, filled with learning, challenges, and rewarding moments
My first term at Cranfield has been filled with learning, new challenges and rewarding moments. Coming in with only a basic understanding of procurement and supply chain management, I knew the first term would ...
Moving with the times: The ‘new-look’ Cranfield Management MSc
For more than a decade, the Cranfield Management MSc has been at the forefront of management education worldwide. Ranked best Management MSc in the UK for value for money and international student experience by ...
Finding company profiles and SWOT analyses
If you are researching a company for a project or job interview, a company profile will be really helpful, as will a SWOT analysis. A profile will give you the basic information you need about ...
Working on your group project? We can help!
When undertaking a group project, typically you'll need to investigate a topic, decide on a methodology for your investigation, gather and collate information and data, share your findings with each other, and then formally report ...
Creating Impact: Women in STEM Scholars discuss their journey and aspirations
We recently had the opportunity to catch up with some of your Women in STEM scholars to discuss what receiving the scholarship means to them, their experiences studying and living in the UK, their ...
Getting involved in outreach activities improved me as a Cranfield PhD Researcher
I spent an amazing three years as a PhD student with the Plant Science Laboratory, researching the metabolic and physiological changes in mango ripening. As a Cranfield PhD student I had many opportunities outside ...