This research guide will show you how to cite common types of information, such as articles and webpages.
It helps to know why you are required to cite sources.
Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress the Power, “To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.”
Those writing and discoveries are known as "intellectual property." Merriam-Webster defines "intellectual property" as, "property (such as an idea, invention, or process) that derives from the work of the mind or intellect."
The U.S. government protects intellectual property. With some limits, you can draw on the ideas and words of others for use in your own work as a student and as a teacher as long as you credit sources appropriately.
Please call or email the library anytime you need help with references and citations. The Reference Librarians will return your email within three business days with the information that you need or will set up an in-person appointment or a zoom appointment to provide further assistance.
Contact us: reference@mtech.edu
APA format is often used in the social sciences. "References" is the correct title for your list of sources. This list is arranged alphabetically by author last name. The first line of each reference is not indented. All other lines are indented. Citations should be double spaced.
Online Journal Article, including articles found in databases
Author Last name, First initial. (Publication Year). Article title. Journal Title, Vol(Issue #), Page range. DOI
Webpage
Author Last name, First initial. (Year, Month, Day). Page Title. Website title. URL
Print Book
Author Last name, First initial. (Year). Title and subtitle. Publisher.
E-Book
Author Last name, First initial. (Year). Title [eBook edition]. Publisher. URL if applicable
Print Journal Article
Author Last name, First initial. (Publication Year). Article title. Journal Title, Vol(Issue #), Page range.
Photograph
Photographer Last name, First initial. (Year photograph was taken). Title or short description of
photograph [Photograph]. Publication or name of website where you found the photograph. URL
Parenthetical Citation
(author, year).
Click here for further information about APA. Source: George Mason University Writing Center
Online Journal Article, including articles found in databases
Sample:
SadatHoseini, A., Shareinia, H., Pashaeypoor, S., & Mohammadi, M. (2023). A cross-cultural concept analysis of
healing in nursing: a hybrid model. BMC Nursing, 22(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01404-8
Webpage
Sample with a named author:
Gilmore, Tayler. (2023, August 5). NASA researchers measure sinking land in American Samoa. NASA.
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/esnt/2023/nasa-researchers-measure-sinking-land-in-american-samoa
Sample with a group author:
American Psychological Association. (n.d.) Disaster and response. https://www.apa.org/topics/disasters-response
Podcast
Sample:
Natisse, K.M. (Host). (2022). Freedom diving [Audio podcast]. NPR.
https://www.npr.org/2022/09/29/1126052986/freedom-diving
Print Book
Sample with one author:
French, S. (2016). Philosophy of science: key concepts. Bloomsbury Academic.
Sample with multiple authors:
Jackson, J., Mehl, J.P., & Neuendorf, K.E. (2005). Glossary of geology. American Geological Institute.
Sample:
Isermann, R. (2011). Fault-diagnosis applications: model-based condition monitoring: actuators, drives, machinery,
plants, sensors, and fault-tolerant systems. Springer. 10.1007/978-3-642-12767-0
Click here for further information about APA. Source: George Mason University Writing Center
The MLA (Modern Language Association), 9th edition style guide is meant for humanities courses, such as languages, literature, fine arts, history, and philosophy. "Works Cited" is the correct title for you list of sources. This list is arranged alphabetically by author last name. The first line of each reference is not indented. All other lines are indented. Citations should be double spaced.
Database Article
Author (Last, First). "Article Title." Periodical Title, Volume, Issue, Publication date, Page range, Name of Database, DOI or URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
Webpage
Author (Last, First). "Page Title." Website Title, Publication Date (if known), URL of page. Accessed Day Month Year.
Print Book
Author (Last, First). Title. Publisher, Year of Publication.
EBook
Author (Last, First). Title. E-book, Publisher, Year of Publication.
Print Journal Article
Author (Last, First). "Article Title." Journal Title, Volume, Issue, Year, pages.
In-text Citation
(author, page number).
Click here for further information about MLA. Source: George Mason University Writing Center