Guide on How to Cite Properly in a Research Paper

How to cite properly

Creating a research paper is a meticulous process that involves thorough investigation and critical analysis. As a fundamental part of this process, citing sources correctly is crucial to establish the credibility of your work, maintain academic integrity, and avoid allegations of all types of plagiarism. Below is an expanded guide on how to cite your sources in a research paper effectively.

Quick Overview of the Various Citation Styles

  • APA (American Psychological Association): Predominantly used in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and education.
  • MLA (Modern Language Association): Commonly used in the humanities, such as English literature, philosophy, and modern languages.
  • Chicago/Turabian: Generally used in business, history, and the fine arts.
  • AMA (American Medical Association): Preferred in the medical sciences.
  • IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers): Typically used in engineering and computer science.

Each of these styles has specific rules for citation, but they all require similar basic information: the author's name, the title of the work, and the date of publication. However, the arrangement of this information varies from style to style.

Instructions for Citing Sources

In-text Citations

In-text citations appear within the body of your paper. They allow your reader to identify the source of the information or quoted text. Despite the variation in citation styles, in-text citations are typically placed at the end of the sentence where the source is referenced, enclosed in parentheses.

  • APA Style: (Author, Year)
    Example: (Smith, 2020)
  • MLA Style: (Author page number)
    Example: (Smith 23)
  • Chicago Style: (Author, Year, page number)
    Example: (Smith, 2020, 23)

Reference List

Each in-text citation in your paper should correspond to an entry in a reference list, which you'll include at the end of your paper. This list may be titled differently depending on the citation style: "Works Cited" in MLA, "References" in APA, or "Bibliography" in Chicago.

Here's how to list sources in each style:

  • APA Style:
    Book: Author's Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.
    Journal Article: Author's Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages.
  • MLA Style:
    Book: Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
    Journal Article: Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages.
    Journal Article: Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages.
  • Chicago Style:
    Book: Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Place of publication: Publisher, Year.
    Journal Article: Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal volume, no. issue (Year): pages

Utilizing Citation Tools

Citation tools, and our plagiarism checker can be a great help when managing references for a research paper. They can generate citations in various styles, based on the details you provide about the source. Some renowned citation tools include Zotero & Mendeley. However, it's important to remember that these tools aren't infallible. Always double-check generated citations for accuracy.

It is also a good idea to check your research paper for any duplicate content. Often times, we are so absorbed in writing the paper that we forget that we may have inadvertently copied someone else's work. Learn how to check for duplicate content

Advanced Tips for Citing Sources

  1. Citing multiple sources in a single reference: If you need to cite more than one source in a single reference, separate the citations with a semicolon.
  2. Citing a source with multiple authors: Different citation styles have different rules for handling multiple authors. Make sure you follow the correct format for your chosen style.
  3. Citing a source with no author: If a source has no identified author, use the first few words of the reference entry (usually the title) and the year.
  4. Citing a source with no date: If no date is available, use the abbreviation "n.d." for "no date".

Final Thoughts

Proper citation is a vital aspect of academic writing that reflects your respect for original authors and their work, lends authority to your own work, and enables readers to track your research path. While plagiarism is not a crime, by understanding and adhering to the rules of the relevant citation style, you can maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and professionalism in your writing.