A list of abbreviations is often found in the front matter of a book or thesis. It provides information about the acronyms and initialism used throughout the text.
The purpose of a list of abbreviations is to save space and make the text more readable. By providing the full forms of these terms in one place, readers can easily find the meaning of an unfamiliar acronym.
In addition, a list of abbreviations can be useful for cross-referencing purposes. For example, if a reader encounters a term that is not defined in the text, they can consult the list of abbreviations to see if it is defined there.
Finally, a list of abbreviations can serve as a resource for future researchers who may be interested in your topic. By including all relevant acronyms and initialisms, you can make it easier for others to find and understand your work.
Contents
Where is the list of abbreviations found in a dissertation?
There are generally two places where you will find the list of abbreviations used in a dissertation. The list of abbreviations is can be found at the beginning of a dissertation, after the table of contents. This can be helpful for readers who may not be familiar with all of the abbreviations used throughout the text.
The second place where you will find a list of abbreviations is at the end of the dissertation, in the appendices. This list is often more comprehensive and can be helpful if you need to look up an abbreviation that you don’t immediately recognize. In either case, having a list of abbreviations can be a valuable resource for anyone reading your dissertation.
Rules in using abbreviations
There are a few key rules to keep in mind when using abbreviations in your dissertation.
- Only abbreviate terms that are used multiple times throughout the text.
- Make sure to introduce each abbreviation the first time it is used.
- Use abbreviations consistently throughout the dissertation.
- Use standard abbreviations whenever possible.
- Avoid abbreviations that could be confusing for readers.
- Make sure to proofread your dissertation carefully to ensure that all abbreviations are used correctly.
- Certain terms should never be abbreviated, including proper names, countries, and units of measurement.
Abbreviations in APA in dissertation
The most important rule for abbreviations in APA Style is to use them sparingly. In general, you should only use abbreviations if they will help your readers understand your paper more easily. For example, using “etc.” is often unnecessary because the reader can usually infer that you have omitted something. When in doubt, it is best to spell out the full term. There are a few other rules to keep in mind when using abbreviations in your paper:
- Abbreviations of units of measurement should always be written with a numeral (e.g., 5 mL, not five mL).
- If you use an abbreviation more than once in a paper, include the abbreviation in the first instance and spell out the full term in subsequent instances.
- If an abbreviation appears at the end of a sentence, do not put a period after it (e.g., “She earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology” not “She earned her PhD. in clinical psychology.”)
- Do not use abbreviations in the title of your paper or headings.
- Do not use acronyms.
Abbreviation Exceptions
Many abbreviations are exceptions to the rule that all abbreviations must be written out in full when they are first used in a dissertation. These exceptions include common abbreviations, such as, etc., i.e., e.g., and so on.
Another common exception is “Dr.,” which is always abbreviated with a period after the letters, regardless of whether it is used as a title before a name or as an abbreviation for “doctor.”
Ordinarily, academic degrees are not abbreviated when used after a name (e.g., “Joe Smith, Ph.D.”), but they are when used as part of a title before a name (“Dr. Joe Smith”). Other common exceptions include “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” “Ms.,” and ” Messrs.” (plural of “Mr.”).
These abbreviations are always followed by a period. There are also abbreviations for certain honorifics, such as “Hon.” (Honorable) and “Lt.” (Lieutenant). These abbreviations are typically only used before names; however, there are some instances where they may be used after names as well (“the Hon. Joe Smith”).
Sample of the list of abbreviations when writing a dissertation
The following is a list of commonly used abbreviations when writing a dissertation:
A.D. – Anno Domini ( Latin for “in the year of our Lord”)
B.C. – Before Christ
ca. – circa (approximately)
e.g. – exempli gratia (Latin for “for example”)
et al. – et alii (Latin for “and others”)
i.e. – id est (Latin for “that is”)
etc. – et cetera (Latin for “and so forth”)
N.B. – nota bene (Latin for “note well”)
O.T. – Old Testament
P.S. – post scriptum (Latin for “after writing”)
Q.E.D. – quod erat demonstrandum (Latin for “which was to be demonstrated”)
T.B.C. – to be continued…
Conclusion
When writing a dissertation, it is important to use abbreviations sparingly. Only use abbreviations if they will help your readers understand your paper more easily. There are a few exceptions to this rule, such as common abbreviations and academic degrees. Be sure to proofread your thesis or dissertation carefully to ensure that all abbreviations are used correctly.
