Welcome
Introduction
All academic research builds on the work that went before it. No matter what your research subject, it is very important to appropriately credit the sources of the ideas that you express in your papers.
All academic papers need to include a Bibliography, Works Cited, or List of References, with in-text citations that refer to the identified sources. However, various academic disciplines have different conventions for what style to use.
Using this guide
Your instructor will usually tell you what citation style he or she expects you to use. The most common citation styles used by undergraduates are MLA, Chicago and APA.
To find style manuals that show you how to format your bibliography and cite your sources, go to Style Manuals.
To learn about bibliographic management software applications, go to Software.
For websites on specific citation styles and how to avoid plagiarism, go to Additional Resources.
Topic Guide
Style manuals
Using style manuals
When your instructor tells you to use a particular citation style for a research paper, the style manual tells you how.
Style manuals provide rules for correctly formatting a "works cited" list (also known as a bibliography) and for how to properly cite your sources in the text of your paper.
Electronic format
-
Chicago Manual of Style onlineChicago style, sometimes called Turabian, is commonly used in writing about Business and Music
-
AMA Manual of StyleOnline access to the American Medical Association Manual of Style, 10th edition.
Print format
-
Chicago Manual of Style (print)Chicago style, sometimes called Turabian, is commonly used in writing about Business and Music
-
Council of Science Editors Manual (print)CSE style is most often used in writing about Science; use IEEE format for writing about Engineering
-
Modern Language Association Style Manual (print)MLA style is commonly used in writing about English Literature and Modern Languages
-
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (print)APA style is commonly used in writing about Psychology, History, Education, and Social Sciences
Software
Using bibliographic management software
When you're tackling a major research paper (maybe even a thesis or dissertation for a graduate degree), bibliographic management software can make the job easier.
These software applications let you save citations that you find online in one place, format them according to your chosen style, and create bibliographies to turn in with your paper.
Citation management tools
-
MendeleyFree reference manager application and academic social network.
-
ZoteroFree bibliography management software application.
-
EndNoteInstructions for downloading Rowan-licensed version of EndNote to your Mac or PC. You will need admin access to your computer to download it.
-
EndNote onlineSign up to use the free online version of EndNote here. Can be used on any computer.
Additional resources
Resources available online
If you're looking for more help with citations, here are some good websites to visit.
Websites
-
Academic Writer (formerly APA Style Central)Offers tutorials and answers to frequently asked questions on using APA style.
-
Google Scholar CitationsA simple way for authors to keep track of citations to their articles.
-
MLA style websiteGuidelines and resources on writing a research paper using MLA style.
-
Purdue University Online Writing LabThe best website for resources on writing a college paper.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism (using another person's work without giving them credit) is a violation of academic integrity. Violations of academic integrity are treated very seriously at Rowan University.
-
Rowan University Academic Integrity pageThe Provost's Office page has the university's policy on academic integrity, and several good resources for more information about identifying and preventing plagiarism.
-
University Senate Academic Integrity Committee pageThe Senate Academic Integrity Committee educates students on issue around plagiarism and conducts hearings for students accused of academic integrity violations.