How to Scientifically Cite a Research Paper

Citing sources is an essential characteristic of effective writing. Different disciplines use different styles of citation. In the field of science, professionals refer to the Council of Science Editors' (CSE) publication, "Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers." The CSE documentation style prescribes one of three methods for in-text citations: a citation-sequence system, a name-year system and a citation-name system. Each of these methods can be used to effectively cite sources, such as research papers, scientific journals and books.

Instructions

  1. Citation-Sequence System

    • 1

      Reference the research paper in the text of your work using a sentence or phrase that uses information found in the paper.

    • 2

      Place a superscript number at the end of the sentence or phrase.

    • 3

      Create an entry corresponding to each superscript at the end of your work, in a reference list titled either "References" or "Cited References." Each entry should use the following format:

      Superscript number. Author's last name followed by author's initials. Title of the research paper. Abbreviated title of the scientific journal. Year published; journal issue: page range.

    • 4

      Order the entries in the reference list by the order in which they appear in the text.

    Name-Year System

    • 5

      Reference the research paper in the text of your work using a sentence or phrase that uses information found in the paper.

    • 6

      Put the author's name and date of publication for the source in parentheses at the end of the sentence. If the author's name is used in the sentence, put only the date of publication in the parentheses.

    • 7

      Create an entry corresponding to each source at the end of your work, in a reference list titled either "References" or "Cited References." Each entry should use the following format:

      Author's last name followed by author's initials. Title of the research paper. Abbreviated title of the scientific journal. Year published; journal issue: page range.

    • 8

      Order the entries in the reference list in alphabetical order.

    Citation-Name System

    • 9

      Create an alphabetical list of all references used, titled either "References" or "Cited References." Each entry should use the following format:

      Author's last name followed by author's initials. Title of the research paper. Abbreviated title of the scientific journal. Year published; journal issue: page range.

    • 10

      Number the entries in the order they appear on the reference list.

    • 11

      Reference sources in the text of your work using sentences or phrases that use information found in the sources.

    • 12

      Place a superscript at the end of each sentence or phrase that corresponds with the number of the referenced source on the reference list.

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