Understanding Citing Online Sources

I. Introduction

Have you ever struggled to format a reference list for a research paper in high school or college? Fear not, you’re not alone! Citing online sources correctly can be a confusing task, especially for students encountering a multitude of citation styles like MLA, APA, and Chicago. But fret no more! This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the world of online citations with ease.

In this first part, we’ll delve into the fundamentals of citing online sources. We’ll explore the different styles used in academia, how to find the information you need for a citation , and the benefits of citing sources properly.

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II. Different Styles for Citing Online Sources

There are three main citation styles widely used in the United States: Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), and Chicago Manual of Style (CMS). Each style has its own specific format for presenting information in citations.

• A. MLA (Modern Language Association) Style

MLA style is predominantly used in humanities disciplines like literature, English, and history. Here’s a breakdown of the elements of an MLA citation for a website :

• Author(s) name(s)
• Title of the webpage (in quotation marks)
• Name of the website (italicized)
• Publisher (if available)
• Date of publication (or last update)
• URL (accessed date)

For instance, if you’re citing a webpage from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) website, your citation might look like this:

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration. “What is the Space Race?” NASA (.gov). Accessed May 10, 2024.

While MLA excels in formatting citations for websites, it also provides guidelines for citing online journal articles. You can find a more comprehensive explanation of MLA formatting in the MLA Handbook [MLA Handbook, 9th Edition], a valuable resource for any student venturing into the world of MLA citations.

• B. APA (American Psychological Association) Style

APA style is the preferred citation style in the social sciences like psychology, sociology, and education. Here’s a quick rundown of the elements of an APA citation for a website :

• Author(s) last name(s) and initials.
• Publication date.
• Title of the webpage (in italics).
• Website name.
• URL (in brackets)

For example, if you’re citing a webpage from the American Psychological Association itself, your citation would look like this:

• American Psychological Association. (2020, January). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).

Similar to MLA, APA offers guidance on citing online journal articles as well. The APA Style Guide [APA Style Guide to Electronic References] provides in-depth explanations and examples to ensure your APA citations are formatted correctly.

• C. Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) Style

Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) is commonly used in history, philosophy, and arts disciplines. Here’s a glimpse at the elements of a Chicago citation for a website :

• Author(s) name(s).
• “Title of the webpage.” Name of website . Publisher (if available), publication date (or last update), URL (accessed date).

Let’s say you’re citing a webpage from the Smithsonian Institution website. Your Chicago citation would look something like this:

• Smithsonian Institution. “The History of Flight.” Smithsonian Institution Libraries and Archives , si.edu. Accessed May 10, 2024.

The Chicago Manual of Style Online [Chicago Manual of Style Online] offers a wealth of information on formatting citations in CMS style, including examples for online sources.

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III. How to Find the Information You Need for a Citation

Having the correct citation style in mind is only half the battle. Now you need to gather the necessary information to construct your citation. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements to look for when referencing online sources:

• Identifying the author(s): This might seem straightforward, but for some websites, authorship can be unclear. Look for a “by” line or an “about us” section that might list the author(s) or the website’s creator.
• Locating the publication date: The publication date can be found on the webpage itself, often displayed at the bottom or near the article title. If the date is missing, consider using the “last updated” date if available.
• Finding the title of the webpage or article: This is usually the main heading displayed at the top of the webpage or article.
• Determining the website name and sponsor: The website name is the main domain name displayed in the URL. Look for any logos or affiliations that might indicate the website’s sponsor (e.g., a university or organization).
• Using a DOI (Digital Object Identifier): DOIs are unique identifiers assigned to scholarly articles and other publications. If you’re referencing a journal article or other academic publication online, look for a DOI on the webpage or within the article itself. Including the DOI in your citation can help readers easily locate the source.

IV. Tools and Resources for Citing Online Sources

Feeling overwhelmed by the specifics of each citation style? Here are some helpful tools and resources to make the process smoother:

• Online citation generators: Several online citation generators can help you format your citations based on the chosen style (MLA, APA, Chicago). However, it’s important to double-check the generated citation against the specific style guide for accuracy.
• Style guides: The official style guides for MLA (MLA Handbook), APA (APA Style Guide), and Chicago (Chicago Manual of Style Online) offer comprehensive instructions and examples for formatting citations in each style.

V. Benefits of Citing Online Sources Properly

Citing online sources properly goes beyond avoiding plagiarism. Here are some key benefits:

• Credibility and trustworthiness: Proper citations demonstrate your research effort and attention to detail, enhancing the credibility and trustworthiness of your work.
• Avoiding plagiarism: Citing sources correctly ensures you’re giving credit to the original authors and ideas you’ve used in your research.
• Giving credit to the source: Proper citations allow readers to easily locate the sources you’ve referenced, facilitating further exploration of the topic.

VI. Common Mistakes When Citing Online Sources

Even the most diligent researchers can make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid when citing online sources:

• Missing information: Ensure your citation includes all the essential elements like author, title, publication date, and URL.
• Inaccurate formatting: Double-check your citation against the specific style guide to ensure proper punctuation, capitalization, and spacing.
• Citing outdated sources: Whenever possible, prioritize recent and credible sources to ensure your information is up-to-date.

VII. Avoiding Plagiarism When Using Online Sources

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense. Here are some key strategies to avoid plagiarism when using online sources:

• Paraphrasing and summarizing: Instead of copying information directly, paraphrase or summarize it in your own words, giving credit to the source through proper citation.
• Using quotation marks correctly: If you do include a direct quote from an online source, enclose it in quotation marks and cite the source within the text and in your reference list.

By following these guidelines and utilizing the available tools and resources, you can ensure your research papers and assignments are properly formatted and free from plagiarism.

Citing Specific Types of Online Sources

Now that we’ve explored the different citation styles, let’s delve into the specifics of citing various online sources you might encounter in your research endeavors.

VIII. Citing Websites

Websites come in all shapes and sizes, and the way you cite them can vary depending on the information available. Here’s a breakdown of citing websites with different authorship structures:

• Websites with a single author: For websites with a single, identifiable author, follow the standard citation format for your chosen style (MLA, APA, CMS) and include the author’s name, title of the webpage, website name, and other relevant information like publication date and URL.
• Websites with no author: If the website doesn’t have a clear author, consider citing the organization or institution responsible for the website*. In MLA and APA styles, you can use the organization name as the author. Chicago style suggests using the website title in place of an author.
• Websites with multiple authors: For websites with multiple authors, list all the authors’ names following the citation format of your chosen style. If there are more than three authors, some styles (like APA) use an ellipsis (…) after the third author’s name followed by “et al.” (which translates to “and others”).
• Organizational websites: Many organizations maintain websites with a wealth of information. Treat these websites similarly to websites with a single author*, using the organization name as the author in your citation.

Remember, critically evaluate the credibility of the website before using it as a source. Reputable websites from government agencies, educahttps://writingcenter.uagc.edu/chicago-manual-styletional institutions, and established organizations are generally considered more credible than personal blogs or websites with no clear authorship. The OWL Purdue Online Writing Lab offers valuable resources on evaluating online sources.

IX. Citing Online Articles

Online articles encompass a vast array of content, from news articles to scholarly journals. Here’s a guide to citing different types of online articles:

• News articles: News articles typically follow the same citation format as websites, including the author (if available), title of the article, publication name (website name), date of publication, and URL.
• Journal articles: Citing online journal articles requires more information than websites. Look for details like author(s), title of the article, title of the journal (italicized), volume number (if available), issue number (if available), publication date, and the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) if available. The DOI is a unique identifier for scholarly articles and can be used to easily locate the article online.

For in-depth explanations and examples of citing online journal articles in specific styles, consult the style guides mentioned earlier (MLA Handbook, APA Style Guide, Chicago Manual of Style Online).

• Blog posts: Blog posts can be a valuable source of information, but it’s crucial to assess their credibility before using them. When citing blog posts, follow the website citation format for your chosen style, including the author (if available), title of the blog post, blog name (website name), and URL.
• Articles from online magazines: Online magazines often publish articles similar to those found in print magazines. Cite these articles following the online journal article citation format, including author(s), article title, magazine title (italicized), publication date, and URL.

X. Citing Social Media Posts

Social media posts are not typically considered academic sources due to their informal nature and lack of editorial oversight. However, in specific circumstances (like citing a breaking news story or a historical event documented on social media), you might need to include them in your research.

When citing social media posts, include the author’s name (username or handle), platform name (e.g., Twitter, Facebook), date of the post, and a brief description of the content. The Purdue University Global Writing Lab offers a helpful guide on citing social media in APA style. Remember, exercise caution when using social media as a source and prioritize credible academic sources whenever possible.

XI. Citing Online Videos

Online videos can be a valuable source of information, particularly for visual learners. There are two main scenarios for citing online videos:

• The video itself is the source: If the video itself is the source of your information (e.g., a documentary or educational video), cite it similar to a website*. Include the title of the video, creator (individual or organization), platform (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo), upload date, and URL.
• The video content supplements written information: If you’re using a video clip to support information from another source (e.g., a news article), cite the written source following the appropriate style guide and mention the specific video clip within your text, including the time stamp if relevant.

XII. Citing Online Images and Data

Similar to online videos, images and data sets can be valuable sources of information. The citation format will depend on the type of image or data and where you found it. Here’s a general guideline:

• For images: Include the creator (if available), title of the image (if available), website name (if applicable), URL, and date accessed.
• For data sets: Provide the name of the data set, creator (organization or individual), publisher (if applicable), publication date (or last update), and URL. Some data sets may also have a DOI, which should be included in your citation.

XIII. Citing Online Forums and Discussion Boards

Online forums and discussion boards can offer unique perspectives and insights, but use them with caution* due to the potential for unreliable information. If you do choose to cite a post from a forum or discussion board, include the author’s username (or handle), date of the post, title of the thread (if applicable), forum name (website name), and URL.

XIV. FAQs

How do I know which citation style to use?

The citation style you use will depend on the specific requirements of your assignment or publication. If you’re unsure, consult your professor, instructor, or editor for guidance. Most academic institutions and journals have their preferred citation style.

What if I can’t find all the information needed for a citation?

If you’re missing some information, include what you do have in your citation and note the missing information with a phrase like “n.d.” (no date) or “[Author Unknown]”. It’s always better to provide a partial citation than no citation at all.

Do I need to cite everything I find online?

Not necessarily. You should primarily rely on credible academic sources like scholarly journals, reputable websites, and established organizations. Social media posts, blogs, and online forums should be used sparingly and with careful evaluation of their credibility.

How can I avoid plagiarism when using online sources?

The key to avoiding plagiarism is properly citing your sources*. Paraphrase and summarize information in your own words, and use quotation marks when including direct quotes from online sources. Make sure to cite the source within your text and include it in your reference list.

Conclusion

By understanding different citation styles and how to find the information you need for a citation, you can ensure your research papers and assignments are correctly formatted and give credit to the sources you use. Remember, critically evaluate the credibility of online sources before using them in your research.

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