Correct citation in the Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral thesis is the prerequisite for passing this exercise. These tips will help you to avoid mistakes from the beginning.
What function do quotations have in the thesis?
Academic texts adopt thoughts of other authors, whether literally or in spirit. These quotations must be marked to be verifiable. Such a verification is made possible by references.
How should literal quotations in the thesis appear?
Verbatim or literal quotations are taken 1 to 1 from the original text enclosed in quotation marks. Even typing errors are included. Usually, a literal quote is documented in a footnote at the end of the page. It contains the name of the author, the year of the publication, and the page number. This content provides a clear assignment to the source in the bibliography. However, the guidelines of your department must be observed.
The second option is to put the year and page number in brackets after the closing character of the quote in the running text. (American citation)
How are non-literal quotations cited in the thesis?
Indirect quotations are not placed in quotation marks. Instead, a statement from another author and quasi rewritten is accompanied by a footnote or a reference in brackets. As a rule, the procedure is the same as for direct citations. However, the abbreviation Cf. (comparisons) is placed before the source reference. Here too, the guidelines of your supervisor must be observed.
How can I cite a source with several authors in my thesis?
There are several possibilities. Either all names are listed, or only one name is mentioned with the addition et al. (et alii = and others). This citation must be clearly assigned to a source in the bibliography.
How can I quote a statement of an author found in the text of another author?
You don't! Get the primary source and quote the argument from it or find another source with the argument or leave it out.
One more tip: Review the arguments of the author. If an author is restating the statements of other authors page by page, you should instead look at the other authors. But if it provides a real in-depth overview, as is the rule in a dissertation, then you should look for other sources selectively.
Another tip: Work with real studies (paper or journal article). Then this question does not even arise. Because these quotations in books usually come from real studies anyway.
Your checklist for correct citations in the thesis:
- Original sources consulted?
- Quote checked?
- Literal quotations declared?
- Quotations taken over in the same way declared?
- Emphasis adopted?
- Own comments declared?
- Omissions reasonable and technically correct?
- Source references technically correct and uniform?
- Page details technically correct?
- Transfers to the directories correct?
Good luck writing your text!
Silvio and the Aristolo Team
PS: Check out the Thesis-ABC and the Thesis Guide for writing a bachelor's or master's thesis in 31 days.
