Formatting Your Research Paper Citing Sources
When writing a research paper, citing your sources is crucial. Doing so properly requires you to use a specific citation format or style guide. The two most common are MLA and APA styles. Both require in-text citations within your paper that correspond to a works cited list at the end. This guide will explain the basic rules for citing sources in these styles.
MLA (Modern Language Association) Style
MLA style is commonly used for research papers in humanities disciplines like English, literature, foreign languages, and cultural studies. It uses parenthetical citations within the text linked to a works cited list at the end. Here are the basics:
In-text citations: Use the last name of the author and a page number in parentheses after a quote or paraphrase. For example: (Smith 45). If no author is given, use a shortened title instead.
Works Cited list: List sources alphabetically by author’s last name on a new page at the end titled “Works Cited” (without quotation marks). Entries must have a hanging indent and contain specific information elements like author, title, publication information, etc depending on source type (book, article, website, etc).
Some key points about MLA style citations:
Parenthetical citations must match source entries, so check your works cited list format is correct.
Include page numbers for direct quotes but not for paraphrasing unless essential to identify the location.
For sources with no page numbers, omit them from citations. Use other identifiers like chapter, section, or paragraph numbers instead.
Provide author names in last name, first name format.
Titles of longer works like books are italicized while titles of shorter works like articles are in quotation marks.
APA (American Psychological Association) Style
APA is commonly used for research papers in social sciences like psychology, criminology, education, and business. It also uses parenthetical citations linked to a reference list.
In-text citations: Use the last name of the author and year of publication in parentheses. For example: (Smith, 2020). Include page number if a direct quote.
Reference list: List alphabetically by author’s last name on a new page titled “References” without quotes. Formatting rules and required information elements depend on source type.
Some key points about APA citations:
Parenthetical citations provide minimal information to identify sources, with full details in the reference list.
Include page numbers for direct quotes and always for paraphrasing a specific passage.
Reference list entries use “hanging indent” format. Author names appear in last name, first initial format.
Titles of longer works like books or reports are in regular font while titles of shorter works like articles are in italics.
Include DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) or stable URLs when available for electronic sources.
No matter what citation style you use, be consistent and accurately format all in-text citations and reference/works cited list entries. This shows your sources were properly researched and documented so readers can easily find them. double check all details match the required format. Proper citation is key for any research paper.