Confirm with your professor which style guide (Chicago, Turabian, MLA, APA, The Bluebook, etc.) you should use.
The citation style is determined by your professor, or if you are submitting a manuscript for publication, by the journal or publisher.
Many questions about citing sources can by answered by consulting the Subject Guide Citation Style Guide. The Citation Style Subject Guide covers:
- Why Cite?
- Where to find links to the most frequently used styles (MLA, APA, Chicago, The Bluebook, etc.)
- Which Style Should I Use?
- Which Citation Program Should I Use? (Citation Management software such as Zotero, Mendeley)
- AU’s Academic Integrity Code
If questions remain, librarians can offer suggestions on evaluating sources, explain general principles of citations, point to guides for the various citation styles, and show examples. Since the guides do not cover every unique resource, librarians can offer guidance on how to best cite sources that do not neatly fall in to one category.
Students are responsible for selecting academically appropriate research materials and for ensuring that citations are complete, accurate, and in the correct final format. Students should be especially careful to double check citations generated by databases. Neither the Writing Center coaches nor the librarians will proofread citations.
There is a tab on the Citation Style Guide that lists, by subject area, the recommended style. Your professor, however, has the final word.
There are software programs that will help you collect and format citations. Examples of these products include EndNote, Mendeley, and Zotero.
Librarians are happy to answer general questions about citing sources and interpreting style guides. Neither librarians nor Writing Center coaches will check your citations for accuracy.
If you would like further assistance, please Ask-A-Librarian.
