How to Cite Research Paper – Explained

Research Paper Citation

Cite research papers is a crucial part of academic writing. Proper citations give credit to the original authors, help readers locate the sources, and strengthen the credibility of your work. Different disciplines use specific citation styles, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, and IEEE, each with unique guidelines. Understanding how to format citations correctly is essential for any student or researcher.

Why Citation is Important

• Acknowledging Sources: Citations give credit to the original authors, acknowledging their contributions.
• Avoiding Plagiarism: Proper citations help avoid plagiarism by clearly identifying borrowed ideas or information.
• Allowing Verification: Citations enable readers to find the original sources, allowing them to verify information and explore further.

Components of a Research Paper Citation

Citing a research paper involves more than just acknowledging the source; it requires a systematic approach that includes various essential components. 

Let’s dive into the 6 key elements of a research paper citation:

1.Title of the Paper

The research paper title represents the essence of it. Accurate citation ensures that readers can quickly identify the source and the specific topic under consideration.

2.Author(s) of the Paper

Citing authors acknowledges their intellectual contribution and provides credibility to your research. It also allows readers to trace the original work for deeper exploration.

3.Journal or Source Information

Properly citing the journal or source where the paper was published helps readers verify the credibility of the source and locate it for further reading.

4.Publication Date

Publication dates indicate the currency of the source. In fields where information evolves rapidly, citing outdated sources can misinform readers.

5.Page Numbers

Page numbers are crucial when citing specific ideas, quotes, or data from a research paper. They allow readers to pinpoint the exact location of the information within the source.

6.DOI (Digital Object Identifier)

A DOI is a unique alphanumeric string assigned to a digital publication. It ensures a stable and permanent link to the source, making it easy for readers to access and verify the paper.

Parts of Citation: In-Text Citations & Bibliography/References

Understanding how to use both in-text citations and the bibliography/reference section is essential for maintaining transparency in your research. 

In-Text Citations

These are brief references within your text that point readers to the full citation in the bibliography or references section. 

In-text citations usually include the author’s name and the publication year, helping readers locate the complete source.

Bibliography/References

This section, found at the end of your paper, provides detailed information about each source you used. 

It includes the author’s name, the title of the work, publication information, and other details. It allows readers to find and verify your sources.

Different Formats of Research Citations

Whether you’re a student or a researcher, knowing how to cite your sources correctly is essential for showing where your ideas come from and giving credit to other people’s work. 

Let’s start with the basics of citing research papers in different citation styles.

1. APA (American Psychological Association)

APA style is widely used in social sciences, psychology, education, and other fields. It follows the author-date format.

In-Text Citation (APA):

• Parenthetical: (Author’s Last Name, Year)
• Narrative: Author’s Last Name (Year)

Reference List Format (APA):

• Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of the paper. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), page range. DOI

Example:

• In-Text: (Timmins F, 2015)
• Reference List: Timmins F. Disseminating nursing research. Nurs Stand. 2015 Jul 29;29(48):34-9. doi: 10.7748/ns.29.48.34.e8833. PMID: 26219810.

2. MLA (Modern Language Association)

MLA style is commonly used in humanities, literature, and cultural studies. It emphasizes the author’s name and page number in citations.

In-Text Citation (MLA):

• (Author’s Last Name page number)

Works Cited Format (MLA):

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Paper.” Journal Name, vol. Volume, no. Issue, Year, pp. page range.

Example:

• In-Text: (Timmins F. 34)
• Works Cited: Timmins F. Disseminating nursing research. Nurs Stand. 2015 Jul 29;29(48):34-9.

3. Chicago Style (Author-Date and Notes and Bibliography)

Chicago style offers two formats: Author-Date and Notes and Bibliography. The Author-Date format is common in sciences, while the Notes and Bibliography style is used in humanities.

Author-Date In-Text Citation (Chicago):

• (Author’s Last Name Year, page number)

Reference List Format (Chicago Author-Date):

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. Year. “Title of the Paper.” Journal Name Volume(Issue): page range. DOI or URL.

Example:

• In-Text: (Timmins F 2015, 34)
• Reference List: Timmins F. Disseminating nursing research. Nurs Stand. 2015 Jul 29;29(48):34-9. doi: 10.7748/ns.29.48.34.e8833. PMID: 26219810.

Notes and Bibliography In-Text Citation (Chicago):

• Use a superscript number in the text and a corresponding note with full citation details.

Bibliography Format (Chicago Notes and Bibliography):

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Paper.” Journal Name Volume, no. Issue (Year): page range.

Example:

• In-Text: Disseminating nursing research.¹
  • Note: ¹Timmins F. Disseminating nursing research. Nurs Stand. 2015 Jul 29;29(48):34-9.
• Bibliography: Timmins F. ”Disseminating nursing research”. Nurs Stand. 2015 Jul 29;29(48):34-9.

4. IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)

IEEE style is often used in engineering, computer science, and related fields. IEEE uses numbered citations in square brackets within the text.

In-Text Citation (IEEE):

• [Number]

Reference List Format (IEEE):

• Author’s First Initial. Last Name, “Title of the paper,” Journal Name, vol. Volume, no. Issue, pp. page range, Month Year. DOI

Example:

• In-Text: Disseminating nursing research in [1].
• Reference List: [1] F. Timmins. Disseminating nursing research. Nurs Stand. 2015 Jul 29;29(48):34-9. doi: 10.7748/ns.29.48.34.e8833. PMID: 26219810.

5. Harvard Style

Harvard is a widely used citation style that follows the author-date format, with minor variations across institutions.

In-Text Citation (Harvard):

• (Author’s Last Name, Year)

Reference List Format (Harvard):

• Author’s Last Name, Initial(s). Year, “Title of the paper,” Journal Name, vol. Volume, no. Issue, pp. page range, DOI or URL.

Example:

• In-Text: (Timmins, 2015)
• Reference List: Timmins F. Disseminating nursing research. Nurs Stand. 2015 Jul 29;29(48):34-9. doi: 10.7748/ns.29.48.34.e8833. PMID: 26219810.

How to Cite Different Types of Sources in a Research Paper

• Books:
  • APA: Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Book Title. Publisher.
  • MLA: Last Name, First Name. Book Title. Publisher, Year.
  • Chicago: Last Name, First Name. Book Title. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year.
• Websites:
  • APA: Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month Date). Title of page. Website Name. URL
  • MLA: Last Name, First Name. “Title of Web Page.” Website Name, Publisher, Date published, URL.
  • Chicago: Last Name, First Name. “Title of Web Page.” Website Name. Last modified Month Date, Year. URL.
• Conference Papers:
  • IEEE: Author’s Initial(s). Last Name, “Title of the paper,” in Conference Proceedings, vol., pp., Year.

Tips for Citing Research Papers

1. Know Your Required Citation Style: Each discipline has a preferred citation style. Ensure you know which style is expected and apply it consistently throughout your paper.
2. Use Citation Management Tools: Tools like EndNote, Zotero, and Mendeley can help format citations and organize references.
3. Double-Check Citations: Ensure all citations in the text are included in the reference list and vice versa.
4. Include DOIs for Online Sources: When available, include the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) in the citation to make it easier for readers to locate the source.

REFERENCES

1. American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.
2. Modern Language Association of America. (2016). MLA Handbook (8th ed.). Modern Language Association of America.
3. University of Chicago Press. (2017). The Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.). University of Chicago Press.
4. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. (2020). IEEE Editorial Style Manual.
5. How to Cite Sources in Your Research Paper, Retrieved from https://lbbl.nsu.edu/guide/citing_sources

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