When writing a doctoral dissertation in Turabian Note–Bibliography style, footnotes are not just technical details—they are a key part of scholarly communication. Strong academic writing uses footnotes not only for citation, but also for explanation, clarification, and expansion.
1. Use Different Types of Footnotes Strategically
In Turabian style, you should use footnotes in at least four ways:
- Citation Notes → To cite sources
- Explanatory Notes → To explain concepts
- Reference Notes → To direct readers to related works
- Supplementary Notes → To add extra discussion without breaking the main text
Good dissertations use a balanced combination of these, not only citation notes.
2. Citation Notes Must Include Exact Page Numbers
For every direct quotation or specific idea, you must include precise page numbers.
Example (Book citation):
1. John W. Creswell, Research Design, 5th ed. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2018), 45.
Example (Journal article):
2. James MacGregor Burns, “Leadership,” Harvard Business Review 78, no. 2 (2000): 21.
Always include the exact page where the idea or quote appears.
3. Follow Proper Turabian Note Format
The first citation (full note):
3. Robert K. Greenleaf, Servant Leadership (New York: Paulist Press, 1977), 27.
Subsequent citation (shortened note):
4. Greenleaf, Servant Leadership, 30.
4. Examples of Different Types of Notes
(1) Citation Note
Used when quoting or paraphrasing:
5. Peter G. Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, 8th ed. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2019), 112.
(2) Explanatory Note
Used to explain a concept without interrupting the main text:
6. Transformational leadership refers to a style in which leaders inspire followers to transcend self-interest for a higher purpose.
(3) Reference Note
Used to guide readers to related studies:
7. See also Bernard M. Bass, Leadership and Performance Beyond Expectations (New York: Free Press, 1985).
(4) Supplementary Note
Used to add additional but non-essential discussion:
8. This distinction becomes especially important in cross-cultural leadership contexts, where authority and hierarchy are perceived differently.»
5. Why This Matters
Footnotes serve three major purposes:
- Academic honesty → Proper attribution
- Scholarly depth → Expanding discussion
- Reader guidance → Connecting to broader research
A dissertation that uses only minimal citation notes often appears shallow. In contrast, well-crafted footnotes demonstrate intellectual maturity and research depth.
AFTERWORD
Footnotes are not interruptions—they are extensions of your thinking. When used properly, they strengthen your argument, clarify your ideas, and position your work within the wider academic conversation.[The end]
