Citing Databases and Websites in MLA Format: Best Practices
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Citing Databases and Websites in MLA Format: Best Practices
Learning to Cite Online Sources for Academic Writing
As you begin writing your research paper, you'll need to include citations for the sources you've consulted. Proper citation is crucial for academic integrity and credibility. In this guide, we'll cover the best practices for citing databases and websites in MLA format.
Section 1: Understanding the Basics of Citation
To start, it's essential to understand what information you need to provide when citing a database or website in MLA format:
- URL (if available)
- Title of the webpage or article
- Author (if listed) or "n.p." (no publisher)
- Date published (if listed)
Here are some general guidelines for common types of sources:
| Source Type | Example Citation |
|---|---|
| Website | Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Webpage." Title of Website, Day Month Year of Publication, URL Accessed Day Month Year. |
| Online Database Article | Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Article." Title of Database, Day Month Year of Publication, Database Name, pp. Page Numbers. |
Note that the citation format may vary depending on the type of source.
Section 2: Citing Articles from Academic Databases
When citing articles from academic databases, follow these steps:
- Check if the database requires a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for citation purposes.
- If available, include the DOI in the citation.
- Use the following format:
- Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, Day Month Year of Publication, vol. Volume Number, pp. Page Numbers. (If DOI is required)
- Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Article." Title of Database, Day Month Year of Publication, URL Accessed Day Month Year.
Example:
Smith, John. "The Impact of Climate Change." Journal of Environmental Studies, 10 Jan. 2020, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 12-25. (DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvs.2019.09.001)
Section 3: Citing Online Sources without a Publisher
When citing online sources without a publisher, follow these steps:
- Check if the source has a URL or is available through a database.
- Use the following format:
- Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Source." Day Month Year of Publication, URL Accessed Day Month Year.
Example:
Johnson, Jane. "The Benefits of Meditation." 23 Mar. 2020, https://www.mindful.org/benefits-meditation-2/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2021.
Section 4: Citing Online Sources with a Publisher
When citing online sources with a publisher, follow these steps:
- Check if the source has an ISBN (International Standard Book Number).
- Use the following format:
- Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Source." Title of Publisher, Day Month Year of Publication, pp. Page Numbers. (If available)
- Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Source." Title of Website, Day Month Year of Publication, URL Accessed Day Month Year.
Example:
Williams, Bob. "The Future of Technology." Oxford University Press, 2020, pp. 12-25. (ISBN: 978-0199676543)
Section 5: Citing Print Sources
When citing print sources, use the following format:
- Lastname, Firstname. "Title of Source." Title of Publisher, Day Month Year of Publication, pp. Page Numbers.
Example:
Brown, Mary. "The History of Art." Random House, 2019, pp. 10-20.
Conclusion
Citing sources is a crucial part of academic writing. By following these guidelines and best practices, you'll be able to properly cite databases and websites in MLA format for your research paper.