How to use Harvard Referencing Style in Thesis or Dissertation in 

Harvard referencing system is an Author-Date system. When citing a thesis in Harvard style, two elements are very important:

• The author’s last name and first initials 
• The year the thesis was published 

This basic format can be used for both online and offline sources. While referencing an online thesis, you must include the URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier). For an offline source, you will need to include the name of the institution where the thesis was published.

In-Text Citations in Harvard Referencing Thesis

You will need to cite other people's writing when you write a piece of work. The process of doing this is known as citing or quoting references. Readers need consistency and precision to recognize and find the referenced information. For example: (Smith 2020). You must include the page number if quoting directly from the thesis. For example: (Smith 2020, p. 23).

Reference List 

The reference list should be arranged alphabetically by the author's last name. If an author has written more than one thesis, they should be listed from oldest to newest in chronological order. The reference list entry for a thesis should include the following:

• Author’s last name and first initials 
• Year of publication (in brackets) 
• Title of thesis (in italics)
• Type of thesis [PhD, Masters]
• Name of institution where located [if offline source]  OR  URL/DOI [if online source]

Examples of How to Reference a Thesis in Harvard Style

Here is an example of reference list entry in Harvard Style: 

Smith, J. (2020). The impact of social media on society. PhD thesis, University of Miami. https://doi.org/10.1123/abc123456 

 OR  

Smith, J. (2020). The impact of social media on society [PhD thesis].

Tips for Avoiding Common Mistakes When Referencing a Thesis in Harvard Style

1.      Citing the Author

When referencing a thesis in Harvard style, citing the work's author is important. It can be done by including the author's last name and the year of publication in parentheses after the quote or paraphrase.

For example: (Smith, 2020).

2.      Citing the Title

In addition to citing the author, it is also important to include the title of the work referenced. This can be done by including the title in quotation marks after the author's last name and publication year.

For example: (Smith, 2020, "Thesis Title").

3.      Citing the Date of Publication

Including the publication date when referencing a thesis in Harvard style is also important. It can be done by including the year of publication in parentheses after the author's last name and title.

For example: (Smith, 2020).

4.      Citing the URL

When referencing a thesis that is available online, it is important to include the URL of the website where it can be found. It can be done by including the URL in parentheses after the author's last name, publication date, and title.

For example: (Smith, 2020, "Thesis Title," http://www.example.com).

5.      Citing Page Numbers

When quoting or paraphrasing specific passages from a thesis, it is important to include page numbers in citations. This can be done by including the page number or range of pages in parentheses after the author's last name, date of publication, and title.

For example: (Smith, 2020, "Thesis Title," p. 12).

6.      Creating a Reference List

When referencing a thesis in Harvard style, it is also necessary to create a reference list at the end of the paper. This should include all of the works cited throughout your paper, listed in alphabetical order by author's last name. Each entry should include all relevant information about the work, such as the author's name, publication date, title, and URL (if applicable).

7.      Formatting

When writing a paper in Harvard style, it is important to format it correctly. This includes using 12-point Times New Roman font and 1-inch margins on all sides of your paper.

Mistakes to Avoid

As a student writing a Harvard Referencing thesis, you must be mindful of following mistakes that can ruin your research work.

1.      Not Citing All Sources

One of the most common mistakes students make is failing to cite all the sources they have used. It is important to remember to cite direct quotes and any paraphrased or summarized information. Failing to do so could result in accusations of plagiarism.

2.      Incorrectly Citing Sources

Another common mistake is incorrectly citing sources. It can happen if students are unsure of the correct Harvard referencing format or careless when entering information into their reference list. Incorrectly citing sources can lead to confusion for readers and may also result in accusations of plagiarism.

3.      Not Updating the Reference List

As students continue to work on their thesis, they will inevitably use new sources of information. It is important to add these new sources to the reference list as they are used; otherwise, the reference list will become outdated and inaccurate.

4.      Using Unreliable Sources

Students should only use reliable sources of information. Unreliable sources include websites that are not reputable, personal blogs, and social media posts. Using unreliable sources could lead to incorrect or misleading information being included in the thesis.

5.      Failing to Proofread the Reference List

Once the reference list has been completed, it is important to proofread it carefully to ensure that all information is accurate and correctly formatted. Any errors in the reference list could reflect poorly on the student’s attention to detail and organizational skills.

6.      Including Too Much Detail in the Reference List

Students should only include relevant and necessary information when adding citations to the reference list. Including too much detail could make a list difficult to read and understand and lead to accusations of plagiarism.

Conclusion

As you can see, referencing a thesis in Harvard style is not difficult once you know what elements need to be included. Remember to include the author's last name, first initials, year of publication, and thesis title when citing in-text.

For the reference list, arrange entries alphabetically by author's last name and include all relevant information such as type of thesis and name of the institution, where it is located (if an offline source). Check these examples to see how to use the Harvard referencing style professionally in your thesis writing.

• Example 1: Internet Censorship in the UAE: Freedom of the Internet
• Example 2: Development of Sustainable Homes Through Renewable Energy Sources
• Example 3: The Importance of Procurement Strategy & Impact on Construction Projects