This FAQ answers basic questions about the use of documentation styles. For specific information, see the style manual or consult one of the websites provided for the various styles.
- Why are citation styles used? Citation styles are the means for organizing documents. They provide consistency and service readers by giving information on the sources used in a paper. Also, citing sources is how plagiarism in avoided.
- Why do different disciplines use different styles? I used MLA in English, but now have to learn APA for Psychology? Yes, there are a number of different documentation styles and this can be confusing. The difference in styles relates to the academic discipline they support; the styles meet the research particulars of the discipline. The formatting of MLA, for example, is more suited to how English topics are researched, while the format of APA is more suited to the Social Sciences.
- Is a Bibliography the same thing as a Reference or Works Cited list? Unless you're using Chicago, no. In APA and MLA a bibliography is a listing of everything you consulted for your paper or project. A Works Cited or Reference List, on the other hand, only lists the items cited in your paper or project. Reference or Works Cited lists are more common.
- What is an in-text citation? An in-text citation refers to the information provided in the text of your paper showing you are either quoting or paraphrasing. In general, an in-text citation includes abbreviated information and is not the complete citation of the source. The in-text citation directs the reader to the complete citation provided in the Reference List. Some citation styles use footnotes and the in-text citation information will be found at the bottom of the page.
- How is citing a website different than citing a journal article or book? Citing a website is similar in many ways to citing a book or article. You need to include the author of the document, the title of the document along with a date. Along with this information, a website citation includes either the web address or a notation that the item is a web source, depending on the particular documentation style being used.
- How are media items (CDs, DVDs, etc.) cited? Again, the essential information is the author or producer, title, date and publication information. In addition, a notation about the item type is required.
- How do I know when to cite a source? Citing a source is a means of protecting a person's intellectual property. Anytime you directly quote from a source you must include a citation as well as put the cited material in quote marks. When you use a person's ideas, but put them in your own language, you are paraphrasing and still need to provide a citation, though you don't need to include quote marks. See the Plagiarism tab for more information.
