You can't do research without consulting other research.

Citations are used to identify the sources you have quoted, paraphrased, or used in your research and writing. They let others know that they can trust your work and follow or extend your research.

Citations also help you to build your credibility as a scholar. By citing your sources, you are showing respect for the researchers you got your information from and indicating that you are joining in on the scholarly conversation related to your topic.

While there are many different citation styles, they all are looking to present the same bibliographic information, such as:

• the author(s)
• the title of the work
• the publisher
• the date the work was published
• where the source was accessed
• source format

This guide primarily offers information on how to cite materials according to APA, MLA, Chicago, and Turbian styles. There are also additional resources linked for finding information on citing data sets, health and science information, music, and law. 

Take a look at this video for a brief introduction to citations!

Most citation styles are made up of two parts:

• In-Text Citation or Foot Note

• Full Citation

In-Text Citation or Internal Note:

• Brief notation of the source you're referencing in the body of your paper

• Each in-text citation has a corresponding entry in your reference list or bibliography

• Typically includes the title or authors name and a page number or date

Full Citations

• More detailed list of your sources at the end of your work

• Includes all essential publication information (i.e. Author, Title, Publisher, Date, etc.)

• Allows your readers to find the exact resource you used

• Different names depending on the style

  • MLA: Works Cited

  • APA: Reference List

  • Chicago: Bibliography

Original guide content was created by Kaeli Nieves-Whitmore, and early updates and maintenance were produced by Brett Cloyd.

This guide was revised and updated by Catie Reynolds, a Library and Information Science graduate student and Humanities and Social Sciences Student Lead, in the Spring of 2026.

Librarians are available to help you with your questions. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have regarding citation styles, citation management, etc.

Ask a question below or contact your subject specialist librarian for more help!

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