When to include one
Include a list when your thesis or dissertation uses several abbreviations that readers outside your field might not know, such as names of instruments, organizations, statistical terms, or programs. A list is usually placed after the List of Figures.
What to include and leave out
| Include | Usually leave out |
|---|---|
| Field-specific acronyms (PTSD, EHR, ELL) | Abbreviations in everyday use (U.S., e.g., etc.) |
| Instrument and scale names (PHQ-9, MBI) | Standard statistical symbols explained in tables (M, SD, p) |
| Organizations and programs (NIH, IRB) | Terms used only once or twice; write those out |
| Variables you shortened for the study | Units of measurement (cm, kg, hr) |
How to format it
- Title the page "List of Abbreviations" and center it.
- List entries in alphabetical order by abbreviation.
- Use two columns: the abbreviation on the left, the full term on the right.
- Write the full term exactly as you define it in the text.
ANOVA Analysis of variance
EHR Electronic health record
IRB Institutional Review Board
MBI Maslach Burnout Inventory
Rules for abbreviations in the text
- Define at first use: write the full term, then the abbreviation in parentheses: Institutional Review Board (IRB).
- Use it consistently after that: don't switch between the full term and the abbreviation.
- Use it often enough to help: APA 7 suggests abbreviating only terms that appear at least three times.
- Avoid starting a sentence with an abbreviation when you can reword the sentence.
- Redefine in each chapter if your school asks for it, since chapters are sometimes read on their own.
Final checks
- Every abbreviation in the text appears in the list, and every entry in the list is used in the text.
- Spelling and capitalization of each full term match the first definition in the text.
- Abbreviations in tables and figures are explained in their notes as well.
Formats differ by university, program, and field. Your graduate school's thesis and dissertation manual and your committee always take priority over any general guide, including this one.
Frequently asked questions
Is a list of abbreviations required?
Not at every school. Many make it optional; it becomes very useful once a study uses ten or more abbreviations.
Do I still define abbreviations in the text if I have a list?
Yes. Define each one at first use in the text; the list is an extra reference, not a replacement.
Should the list be alphabetical by abbreviation or by full term?
By abbreviation. Readers look up the short form they have just seen.