Here's a general overview and examples using APA and MLA styles, two of the most frequently used:
General Principles:
* Consistency: Maintain the same citation style throughout your entire paper.
* Accuracy: Double-check all information (author names, dates, titles, journal names, etc.) for accuracy. Errors can seriously undermine your credibility.
* Completeness: Include all necessary information as specified by your chosen style guide.
* Use a Citation Manager: Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote can greatly simplify the process of managing citations and creating bibliographies.
Examples:
Let's consider a hypothetical paper:
* Author: Jane Doe
* Year: 2023
* Title: The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health
* Journal: Journal of Adolescent Psychology
* Volume: 15
* Issue: 2
* Pages: 123-145
* DOI: 10.1234/jap.2023.15.2.123
APA 7th Edition:
* In-text citation (paraphrase): Research suggests a strong correlation between social media use and adolescent mental health issues (Doe, 2023).
* In-text citation (direct quote): Doe (2023) found that "social media use significantly impacts adolescent well-being" (p. 135).
* Reference list entry: Doe, J. (2023). The impact of social media on adolescent mental health. *Journal of Adolescent Psychology*, *15*(2), 123–145. https://doi.org/10.1234/jap.2023.15.2.123
MLA 9th Edition:
* In-text citation (paraphrase): Studies show a strong link between social media usage and adolescent mental health problems (Doe 135).
* In-text citation (direct quote): As Doe points out, "social media use significantly impacts adolescent well-being" (135).
* Works Cited entry: Doe, Jane. "The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health." *Journal of Adolescent Psychology*, vol. 15, no. 2, 2023, pp. 123-45. DOI: 10.1234/jap.2023.15.2.123
Key Differences Highlighted:
* Author's Name: APA uses the author's last name and year in the in-text citation; MLA uses the author's last name and page number (unless it's a longer work).
* Punctuation: Notice the differences in punctuation in the in-text citations and reference/Works Cited entries.
* Order of Information: The order of information (e.g., date, journal title, volume, issue, etc.) differs between the two styles.
Other Citation Styles:
* Chicago/Turabian: Offers both notes-bibliography and author-date systems.
* Harvard: Similar to APA but has variations in formatting.
To ensure accuracy, consult the official style guide for your chosen citation style. These guides are usually available online through university libraries or style guide publishers. Incorrect citations can be considered plagiarism, so take the time to learn the correct format.