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I'm currently writing my masters thesis and I've gotten some good answers that have helped me along in my process.

My question is do I cite mathstackexchange in my thesis or do I put a note of thanks?

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One thing to note is that posts on the site can be edited at any time. It's not like citing a paper: You know its content will never change. – becko Jun 11 '12 at 3:39
>Thank you, Dumb Cow. I am sure that'd seem like some joke of a thesis. :-) – Πάρτη Κοηλί Jan 17 at 16:36

2 Answers

up vote 16 down vote accepted

There was a discussion on meta.mathoverflow about this, How do I cite Math Overflow?

I agree with what Mike Shulman suggested, which is putting a sentence in your acknowledgements:

If the answers came out of a large discussion, then I think acknowledging MO as a whole might make sense (though I might still mention explicitly the main contributors, if possible), but if the answer came from a specific person, I would acknowledge that person (and perhaps say that the answer was given on MO).

Also, as pointed out by Noah Snyder on that meta post, this paper does a reasonable job citing math overflow, and the main answerer, in footnote 7.

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up vote 12 down vote

I too have this issue coming up. One part of my thesis began on this site and another on MathOverflow.

My intention is to put a footnote link to the threads, give credit when I use someone else's proof which appeared on these sites and of course give thanks both to the communities and the users (by real name if possible, by user name otherwise) - both those who asked the question; gave helpful comments and so on.

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"Acknowledgements: [..] I'd also like to thank Moron, Anon, and User1234." :) – user2468 May 20 '12 at 15:38
Well, not exactly... but not that far away I suppose. – Asaf Karagila May 20 '12 at 15:53
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And extra special thanks to victor – The Chaz 2.0 May 20 '12 at 16:17
@J.D. That is an incredibly awesome comment. – Eugene May 21 '12 at 3:12
@Eugene what are the odds! I also go to UW. – user2468 May 21 '12 at 3:52
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@J.D. Reminds me of the references on this MW article. – anon May 21 '12 at 4:56
Footnote link to the threads? Why not just cite it? – Willie Wong♦ May 21 '12 at 7:43
@Willie: for the same reason you would prefer arXiv or journal or homepage PDF. Plus my advisor will disapprove, I already had this chat with him... – Asaf Karagila May 21 '12 at 7:46
"Plus my advisor will disapprove" Ah. that explains it. I would however encourage the OP to have "the talk" with his/her advisor and see whether citing an online resource is ok. – Willie Wong♦ May 21 '12 at 7:53
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@Willie: I think that MO and MSE are discussion sites, much like you would not cite a coffee chat with colleagues or an email correspondence. I do think that since the site is open to all it is fine to address the discussion and add a link. I still don't see a justified cause for a citation in the bibliography (at least in the case of my thesis). – Asaf Karagila May 21 '12 at 7:58
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"I would not cite a coffee chat with colleagues or an e-mail correspondence". Really? I certainly would. I would usually cite them a "private communications". This is, of course, not a way to let readers check those citations, but as a way to give credit where credit is due. – Willie Wong♦ May 21 '12 at 8:08
@Willie: Of course credit and explanation is a given. I would not cite these as I would cite a paper. That is what I meant. – Asaf Karagila May 21 '12 at 8:12
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Clarification: I would cite them as I would cite a paper. In the text it would read "blah blah [13]" and in the bibliography it would have "[13] Joe the plumber, private communication". Part of this, of course, has to do with personal aesthetics. And I think we can agree to disagree. As a couple of parting shots, however: see Emerton's and Kostya's answers and comments thereon where both opinions are expressed. – Willie Wong♦ May 21 '12 at 8:29
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See Chartier's thesis here: caicedoteaching.wordpress.com/students for how a student of mine dealt with this. – Andres Caicedo May 21 '12 at 22:06
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@Andres: Perhaps this should be posted as a separate answer? – Asaf Karagila May 21 '12 at 22:17
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