Research by Subject: Finding Resources for your Research: 4. Use information ethically: Citing your sources

Getting Started

Don't know why you need to cite your sources? Take the library's Plagiarism Tutorial.

A style manual is a guide to preparing a research paper in a particular field of study. Scholarly papers frequently cite the work of other researchers in the field, so a standardized format for citing references is an important part of a style manual. It is important that each citation in this list give enough information about the reference in question, so that a reader of the paper can readily find it.

The Library has copies of most major style and format manuals. Because they are in great demand, they are mostly kept in the Reference Services area.

In-text citations provide brief information about a source and refer the reader to the full citation in the reference list.

Example of in-text narrative citation:

Noble (2018) describes the biases inherent in search algorithms.

Example of in-text parenthetical citation:
Many digital media scholars have been investigating how commercial search algorithms contain inherent biases (Noble, 2018).

In-text citations with a direct quotation should include a page number. Example:
It has become clear that "search results play a powerful role in providing fact and authority" (Noble, 2018, p.36).

Examples of an in-text citation for AI generated content:

Some biases in AI-generated content include dataset bias, where the training data doesn't represent the full diversity of the real world, and algorithmic bias, which occurs when the AI system perpetuates or amplifies existing societal prejudices. (OpenAI, 2024)

For more information about in-text citations, check out these guides from the APA website:

Parenthetical vs. Narrative in-text citations

Citing Quotations

Reference list citations provide all the information required about the source and correspond to the in-text citation.

Example of citation in reference list:

Noble, S. U. (2018). Algorithms of oppression: How search engines reinforce racism. New York University Press.

APA: Common Reference Examples

For more examples of how to cite different type of sources (e.g. podcasts, tweets, press releases, and more), check out this guide from the APA website: APA Common Reference Examples

Journal Article

Edwards, A. A., Steacy, L. M., Siegelman, N., Rigobon, V. M., Kearns, D. M., Rueckl, J. G., & Compton, D. L. (2022). Unpacking the unique relationship between set for variability and word reading development: Examining word- and child-level predictors of performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 114(6), 1242–1256. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000696

Online Magazine Article

Thomson, J. (2022, September 8). Massive, strange white structures appear on Utah’s Great Salt Lake. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/mysterious-mounds-great-salt-lake-utah-explainedmirabilite-1741151

Online Newspaper Article

Roberts, S. (2020, April 9). Early string ties us to Neanderthals. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/science/neanderthals-fiber-string-math.html

Authored Book

Kaufman, K. A., Glass, C. R., & Pineau, T. R. (2018). Mindful sport performance enhancement: Mental training for athletes and coaches. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000048-000

Edited Book Chapter

Zeleke, W. A., Hughes, T. L., & Drozda, N. (2020). Home–school collaboration to promote mind– body health. In C. Maykel & M. A. Bray (Eds.), Promoting mind–body health in schools: Interventions for mental health professionals (pp. 11–26). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000157-002

AI Generated content

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

OpenAI. (2024). Biases in AI-generated content. (July 9 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

Click on the image for more details about citation formatting