* MLA (Modern Language Association): Commonly used in the humanities.
* APA (American Psychological Association): Widely used in social sciences, psychology, education, and business.
* Chicago/Turabian: Offers both a notes-bibliography and author-date system; used in history, literature, and other disciplines.
* IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers): Used in engineering and computer science.
Each style has specific rules for formatting in-text citations and the bibliography (or works cited/references) page. Here's a general overview and examples in APA and MLA styles:
I. In-text Citation (mentioning the source within your writing):
This acknowledges the source of information you're using.
* APA: Usually includes the author's last name and year of publication. For direct quotes, include a page number as well.
* Example (paraphrase): Smith (2023) found that…
* Example (direct quote): "This is a direct quote" (Smith, 2023, p. 10).
* MLA: Usually includes the author's last name and page number. The year is typically included in the works cited page.
* Example (paraphrase): Smith argues that…
* Example (direct quote): "This is a direct quote" (Smith 10).
II. Bibliography/Works Cited/References Page:
This is a list of all sources cited in your paper. The format varies greatly between styles.
* APA Example:
```
Smith, J. (2023). *Title of the article*. *Title of the Journal*, *Volume*(Issue), pages-pages. https://doi.org/xxxxxxxxx
```
* MLA Example:
```
Smith, John. "Title of the Article." *Title of the Journal*, vol. volume, no. issue, year, pp. pages-pages, doi:xxxxxxxxx.
```
Key elements to include in your bibliography entry (regardless of style):
* Author(s): Last name, first initial (and middle initial if available).
* Year of Publication: Usually in parentheses.
* Article Title: In quotation marks.
* Journal Title: Italicized.
* Volume Number: Italicized (often followed by issue number in parentheses).
* Page Numbers: Range of pages the article occupies.
* DOI (Digital Object Identifier): A persistent link to the article. Highly recommended.
* URL (if no DOI): If a DOI isn't available, include the URL.
How to find the correct format:
1. Check your assignment guidelines: Your professor or instructor will specify the required citation style.
2. Consult a style guide: Purchase or access an official style guide (e.g., *Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association* for APA).
3. Use a citation management tool: Software like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote can automatically format citations based on the chosen style. These tools are invaluable for managing your research and avoiding errors.
4. Look at examples: Many academic journals provide examples of citations in their author guidelines.
Example using a hypothetical article:
Let's say you're citing an article:
* Author: Jane Doe and John Smith
* Article Title: "The Effects of Caffeine on Cognitive Function"
* Journal Title: *Journal of Psychological Research*
* Volume: 15
* Issue: 2
* Pages: 55-70
* Year: 2024
* DOI: 10.1234/jpr.2024.15.2.55
APA Style:
In-text citation: (Doe & Smith, 2024) or (Doe & Smith, 2024, p. 60) for a direct quote from page 60.
Reference entry:
Doe, J., & Smith, J. (2024). The effects of caffeine on cognitive function. *Journal of Psychological Research*, *15*(2), 55–70. https://doi.org/10.1234/jpr.2024.15.2.55
MLA Style:
In-text citation: (Doe and Smith 60) for a direct quote from page 60.
Works Cited entry:
Doe, Jane, and John Smith. "The Effects of Caffeine on Cognitive Function." *Journal of Psychological Research*, vol. 15, no. 2, 2024, pp. 55-70, doi:10.1234/jpr.2024.15.2.55.
Remember to always double-check your citations against the specific style guide you're using to ensure accuracy. Inconsistent or incorrect citations can negatively impact your academic credibility.