Introduction
Proper citation is essential for academic integrity and scholarly communication. This guide provides quick reference for the three most common citation styles: APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), and Chicago Manual of Style.
APA Style (7th Edition)
APA style is commonly used in social sciences, education, and psychology. It emphasizes author-date citations and recency of sources.
In-Text Citations
Single author:
- (Smith, 2023)
- Smith (2023) argued that…
Two authors:
- (Smith & Jones, 2023)
- Smith and Jones (2023) found…
Three or more authors:
- (Smith et al., 2023)
Direct quote:
- (Smith, 2023, p. 45)
- (Smith, 2023, pp. 45-46)
Reference List Entry Examples
Book: Smith, J. (2023). Research methods in education. Academic Press.
Journal article: Jones, M., & Brown, A. (2023). Teaching strategies in higher education. Educational Research, 45(2), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1234/er.2023.45.2.123
Website: Educational Foundation. (2023, March 15). Best practices in online learning. https://www.example.org/best-practices
MLA Style (9th Edition)
MLA style is commonly used in humanities, especially literature and language studies. It emphasizes author-page citations.
In-Text Citations
Single author:
- (Smith 45)
- Smith argues that “citation matters” (45).
Two authors:
- (Smith and Jones 45)
Three or more authors:
- (Smith et al. 45)
No page numbers (web sources):
- (Smith)
Works Cited Entry Examples
Book: Smith, John. Research Methods in Education. Academic Press, 2023.
Journal article: Jones, Mary, and Anna Brown. “Teaching Strategies in Higher Education.” Educational Research, vol. 45, no. 2, 2023, pp. 123-45.
Website: Educational Foundation. “Best Practices in Online Learning.” Educational Foundation, 15 Mar. 2023, www.example.org/best-practices.
Chicago Manual of Style (17th Edition)
Chicago style offers two systems: Notes-Bibliography (NB) and Author-Date. The NB system uses footnotes or endnotes.
Notes-Bibliography System
In-text citation:
- Smith argues that citation practices matter.¹
Footnote:
- John Smith, Research Methods in Education (New York: Academic Press, 2023), 45.
Bibliography entry: Smith, John. Research Methods in Education. New York: Academic Press, 2023.
Author-Date System
In-text citation:
- (Smith 2023, 45)
Reference list entry: Smith, John. 2023. Research Methods in Education. New York: Academic Press.
Common Citation Challenges
Online Sources
APA: Include DOI when available. If no DOI, use URL. MLA: Include access date for websites without publication dates. Chicago: Include access date in notes for online sources.
Missing Information
- No author: Use title in place of author name
- No date: Use “n.d.” (APA, Chicago) or omit date (MLA)
- No page numbers: Use paragraph numbers (para. 5) or section headings
Multiple Works by Same Author
APA: Include author name each time, order by year MLA: Include shortened title if multiple works by same author Chicago: Include shortened title in notes
Best Practices
- Be consistent: Use one citation style throughout your document
- Cite as you write: Don’t add citations later—cite sources as you use them
- Verify details: Check all citation information for accuracy
- Use citation tools wisely: Software can help, but always verify output
- When in doubt: Consult the official style guide or ask your instructor/editor
Quick Decision Guide
- Social sciences, education, psychology: Use APA
- Literature, languages, humanities: Use MLA
- History, some social sciences: Use Chicago
- Check with your instructor or publisher: They may have specific requirements
Additional Resources
- APA Style: apastyle.apa.org
- MLA Style: style.mla.org
- Chicago Manual: www.chicagomanualofstyle.org
Remember: The goal of citation is to give credit, enable verification, and allow readers to find sources. When in doubt, prioritize clarity and completeness over perfect formatting.