Need Help?
Need more help? McMaster Library is happy to help you at any stage of your research process!
Live chat with Ask a Librarian
Introduction
It is important to give proper credit or attribution to the work and ideas that you use in your research. This not only provides a basis for your claims or argument, but also demonstrates the breadth, depth, and quality of your research. Citing other scholars allows you to join the scholarly conversation surrounding your topic, and is essential to avoiding plagiarism and academic dishonesty. For more information please visit the Office of Academic Integrity.
Citing Sources
For assistance with APA formatting and citation, consult McMaster Libraries' Guide to APA or this easy to use guide from Purdue University.
APA is the citation and format style used by the American Psychological Association. The 7th edition of the APA Style Guide was published in 2020.
It is primarily used in the social sciences, including anthropology, criminology, economics, linguistics, psychology, and sociology, as well as in business, education, and nursing. Always consult your instructor or course outline to confirm which citation styles are accepted for your course.
For assistance with Chicago formatting and citation, consult McMaster Libraries' Guide to Chicago/Turabian or this easy to use guide from Purdue University.
Chicago or Turabian is the citation and format style used primarily for academic publications, but your instructor may also request you to use Chicago in your assignments. The 18th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style was published in 2024, but many instructors may ask you to reference the previous 17th edition published in 2017.
Chicago is used across the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Always consult your instructor or course outline to confirm which citation styles are accepted for your course.
For assistance with MLA formatting and citation, consult McMaster Libraries' Guide to MLA or this easy to use guide from Purdue University.
MLA Style is the citation and format style used by the Modern Language Association. The 9th edition of the MLA Handbook was published in April, 2021.
It is primarily used in the humanities, including English and literature studies, cultural and media studies, and philosophy. Always consult your instructor or course outline to confirm which citation styles are accepted for your course.
Citation Management
For large or long term research projects, Citation Management Software can help you keep track of your sources and organize your research. For more information, consult our Guide to Citation Management Software.