Citation FAQ

Use the organization or website name as the author. If no organization is available, start your citation with the title of the source. For example: 'World Health Organization (2023)' or '"Climate Change Report" (2023)'.

Use 'n.d.' (no date) in most citation styles. You can also check for copyright dates, last updated dates, or use your access date. Example: 'Smith, J. (n.d.)' or 'Smith, J. (2020, updated 2023)'.

This depends on your citation style. APA lists up to 20 authors, while MLA typically uses 'et al.' after the first author when there are three or more. Check your specific style guide for exact rules.

Yes, but treat them as personal communications or web sources depending on your style guide. Include the username, post content excerpt (up to 20 words), platform, and date.

Use chapter numbers, section headings, or paragraph numbers instead. Examples: '(Smith, 2023, Chapter 3)' or '(Smith, 2023, para. 15)'. Some eReaders also provide location numbers.

No, you don't need to cite widely known facts (like 'the earth is round' or 'World War II ended in 1945'). However, specific statistics, recent research findings, or specialized knowledge should always be cited.

Evaluate the author's credentials, check if it's published by a reputable organization, look for peer review, verify that claims are supported by evidence, and ensure the information is current and relevant to your topic.

Generally no, Wikipedia itself shouldn't be cited in academic work. However, you can use Wikipedia's reference list to find primary and secondary sources. Always verify information through the original sources.

Peer-reviewed sources have been evaluated by experts in the field before publication. Look for articles in academic journals, check if the journal mentions peer review, or use academic databases that filter for peer-reviewed content.

This depends on your field. Sciences typically require very recent sources (within 5 years), while humanities may use older, foundational texts. Check your assignment requirements and consider the nature of your research topic.

Yes, if they're credible. Government sites (.gov), educational institutions (.edu), and reputable organizations (.org or .com) can be excellent sources. Focus on the authority and reliability of the content, not just the domain.

Quote when the exact wording is important or particularly powerful. Paraphrase when you need specific details but can express them in your own words. Summarize when you need the main idea but not the details. Always cite all three.

This varies by assignment length and requirements. A general rule is 1-2 sources per page for undergraduate work, but focus on quality over quantity. Check your assignment guidelines for specific requirements.

Absolutely! Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or citation generators save time, reduce errors, and help organize your research. They're especially helpful for longer projects with many sources.

Keep detailed notes with source information, use quotation marks for exact quotes, paraphrase in your own words rather than just changing a few words, and cite everything that's not your original idea or common knowledge.

A works cited page (MLA) or reference list (APA) includes only sources you actually cited in your paper. A bibliography may include additional sources you consulted but didn't cite. Check your assignment requirements.

Use DOIs when available as they're permanent. For web sources, include your access date and try to find an archived version using the Wayback Machine. You can also contact your librarian for help locating the source.

Include the database name and URL (if stable) or DOI. For many databases, you can cite the original publication information plus the database. Check your style guide for database-specific formatting.

Ideally, find and cite the original source. If unavailable, use 'as cited in' format: '(Smith, 2020, as cited in Jones, 2023)'. List the secondary source (Jones) in your reference list.

Cite based on what the PDF contains - if it's a journal article, cite it as an article; if it's a report, cite as a report. Include the PDF URL or DOI if it's the official version.

Cite in the original language, then provide an English translation in brackets if helpful. Some styles have specific rules for transliteration of non-Latin scripts. Include the language if it's not obvious from the title.