This page provides help with the citation styles most commonly used at Langara College:
Citing includes these components:
- In-Text References: used to identify the source of your information within the text of the paper. The titles indicated in your in-text references must be fully documented on your References, Works Cited, Footnotes, or Endnotes.
- References, Works Cited or Bibliography page: a list of all the works you have consulted, including sources accessed from the Internet.
If you are not sure which style to use, consult your instructor.
APA Style (American Psychological Association)
APA style is primarily used in the social sciences (psychology, sociology, etc.). It is also the required style for Langara nursing students.
Which Edition of APA Style Are You Required to Use? |
It's important to know which version of APA style your instructor wants you to use.
- APA style, 2001 (5th ed.)
Examples of in-text references and references are provided below.
- APA style, 2010 (6th ed.)
Our examples will not be available until August, 2010
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APA -- In-Text References -- References -- For more information....
APA: In-Text References, 2001 (5th ed.)
With one author - example:
According to a study by Levine (2002, p. 23)
A recent study indicates that .....(Levine, 2002, p.23)
With two authors - example::
According to a study by Brehm and Steffen (2003, p.109), .....
A recent study indicates that .....(Brehm & Steffen, 2003, p.109)
With no author. - example:
Use a few words or the full title if it is short.
Dictionary of Psychology, 1999
Citing a specific part - example:
Use chapter, figure, table,or equation as appropriate.
According to McClean (1998, pt. 2).....
A recent study reports that ..... (Chan, 1999, chap. 4)
Citing from an electronic document - example:
Use the page number if it is clearly provided on the electronic document and follow the same pattern as for print materials. If there are no page numbers, use the paragraph number if it is clearly provided on the electronic document. Precede the number with the ¶ symbol or the abbreviation para.
In his study, McClean (1998, ¶ 3) states that "the social and psychological......"
If there are no page or paragraph numbers, use the heading if it is clearly provided on the electronic document, and the number of the paragraph following the heading.
In his study, Myers (2002, Introduction, ¶ 2) states that "research so far....."
If there are no page and paragraph numbers or headings, omit the location reference.
In her study, Jones (2000) states that "the experiment....."
APA: References, 2001 (5th ed.)
Book - examples:
Hall, L., & Cohn, L. (1999). Bulimia: A guide to recovery. Carlsbad, CA: Gurze Books.
Agrios, G. N. (1997). Plant pathology (4th ed.). San Diego: Academic Press.
Article in a journal - example:
Brehm, B. J., & Steffen, J. J. (1998). Relation between obligatory exercise and eating disorders. American Journal of Health Behavior, 22(2), 108-119.
Electronic documents - examples:
Article from an online article index ( Academic Search Premier, PsycARTICLES, etc)
Finger, S., & Zaromb, F. (2006). Benjamin Franklin and shock-induced amnesia. American Psychologist, 61(3), 240-248. Retrieved October 16, 2006, from PsycARTICLES database.
If only the starting page and/or number of pages are given, omit the page information:
Kerwin, M. L. E., & Berkowitz, R. I. (1996). Feeding and eating disorders: Ingestive problems of infancy, childhood, and adolescence. School Psychology Review, 25(3). Retrieved August 10, 2003, from Academic Search Premier database.
Article from an online reference work (AccessScience, Gale Literary Databases, etc.)
Francis, A. W. (2002). Hyperbaric oxygen chamber. McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology (8th ed.). Retrieved December 8, 2002, from AccessScience database.
Book from a Library’s online book collection (ebrary, NetLibrary, etc.)
Randolph, J., & Masters, G. M. (2008). Energy for sustainability: Technology, planning, policy. Retrieved November 26, 2009, from ebrary.
Book available for free on the Web
Porter, M. E., & Teisberg, E. O. (2006). Redefining health care: Creating value-based competition on results. Retrieved November 26, 2009, from http://books.google.com/books
PCensus report or data
Statistics Canada & MapInfo Canada. (2008). 2006 Census, CanEx 2008, PSYTE Advantage, and Canada Business Summary for British Columbia. PCensus for MapPoint (Version 8.73) [CD-ROM]. Vancouver, Canada: Tetrad Computer Applications.
Document from a private organization Web site
Note that there is no period after the url.
If the document consists of multiple pages, cite the url that links to the home page of the document.
Tucker-Ladd, C. (1996-2000). Psychological Self-Help. Retrieved September 17, 2001, from http://mentalhelp.net/psyhelp/
Document from a university program or department Web site
Tyner, R. (1999, October 3). Sink or Swim: Internet Search Tool and Techniques. Retrieved February 2, 2000, from Okanagan University College Library Web site: http://www.ouc.bc.ca/libr/connect96/search.htm
Chapter or section in a Web document
Tucker-Ladd, C. (1996-2000). Behavior, motivation and self-control. In Psychological Self-Help (chap. 4). Retrieved September 17, 2001, from http://mentalhelp.net/psyhelp/chap4/chap4b.htm
Web document with no author or date
Anorexia Information. (n.d.) Retrieved September 17, 2001, from http://www.findinfo.com/anorexia.htm
APA -- In-Text References -- References -- For more information....
APA Style: For More Information....
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
The official guide to the APA citation style, available in Langara Library in the Reference Area
- REF BF 76.7 P83 2001 - 5th edition
- REF BF 76.7 P83 2010 - 6th edition
- Social Sciences: Documenting Sources in APA Style (2001, 5th edition)
Guidelines on documenting sources with the APA citation style, 5th ed. Provides examples of in-text references, reference list, and a sample paper documented in APA style. Part of the Research and Documentation Online web site.
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MLA Style (Modern Languages Association), 2009 - 7th ed.
Mostly used in the humanities, in disciplines such as English literature and art history.
Start here:
Citing Your Sources: MLA Style (pdf) - NEW!
Guide from Langara Library which includes Works Cited and In-Text References.
MLA Style: For More Information....
- MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
The official guide to the MLA citation style. Two copies are available in the Langara Library (Call Number: PE 1478 M57 2009); one copy on reserve for short-term loans, and one copy at the Reference Desk.
- Humanities: Documenting Sources in MLA Style
Guidelines on documenting sources with the MLA citation style, 7th ed. Provides examples of in-text references, works cited, and a sample paper documented in MLA style. Part of the Research and Documentation Online web site.
- Frequently Asked Questions about the MLA Handbook
Questions and answers from the Modern Languages Association website.
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College Style Sheet, 2005 - 6th ed.
Based on MLA (6th edition, 2003) and widely adopted for use in many Langara Courses.
In-Text References -- Works Cited -- For more information....
College Style Sheet: In-Text References
With one author - example
According to a study by Levine (23).....
A recent study indicates that .....(Levine 23).
With two authors - example
According to a study by Brehm and Steffen (109).....
A recent study indicates that .....(Brehm and Steffen 109).
Citing a specific part of a web document - example
Use page numbers if specifically provided by the document. Do not use the page numbers on your printout as this pagination varies dependent on settings such as font size. Use paragraph or section number if no page number is available.
According to McClean (pars. 3 -5).....
A recent study cites that.....(Chan par. 8)
[par. is the abbreviation for paragraph]
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College Style Sheet: Works Cited
Book - example
Levine, Michael P. Student Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia. Washington, D.C.: National Education Association, 1987.
Article reprinted in a reference work - example
Arner, Robert D. "Chopin's Desiree's Baby." Mississippi Review XXV.2 (Spring 1972): 131-140. Excpt. and rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Thomas Votteler. Vol. 8. Detroit: Gale, 1991. 73-77.
Introduction part in a reference work - example
"Kate Chopin." Introduction. Short Story Criticism. Ed. Thomas Votteler. Vol. 8. Detroit: Gale, 1991. 73-74.
Article in a journal - example
Brehm, Bonnie J., and John J. Steffen. "Relation between Obligatory Exercise and Eating Disorders." American Journal of Health Behavior, 22.2 (1998): 108-119.
Article in a weekly or monthly magazine - example
Springen, Karen. "Be Good to your Bones." Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2007: 62.
Electronic documents - examples:
Article from an online database (ABI/Inform, Academic Search Premier, etc)
Author(s). Title of article. Journal title, volume and issue number (if given), date, page numbers. Online. Name of article index or database. Name of subscription service (if given). Name and location of the library where you retrieved the article. Date retrieved.
Some databases give page numbers as they appear in the original print version of an article. In the example below, only the number of the first page (316) and the total number of pages (13) were given.
Kerwin, Mary Louise E., and Robert I. Berkowitz. "Feeding and Eating Disorders: Ingestive Problems of Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence." School Psychology Review, 25.3(1996): 316. 13pp. Online. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Langara Coll. Lib., Vancouver. 10 Aug. 2000.
Use the drop-down menu below to see a list of databases which are accessed through a subscription service:
Article from an online reference work (Access Science, Gale Literary Databases, etc.)
"Saul Bellow." Contemporary Authors. 1999. Online. Gale Group Databases. Langara College Lib., Vancouver, BC. 10 Apr. 2002.
Web site
Modern American Poetry. Ed. Cary Nelson. 1999. University of Illinois. 16 Feb. 2001 <http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/>.
Specific Web document
Tyner, Ross. Sink or Swim: Internet Search Tools and Techniques. Vers. 5.0. June 2001. Okanagan University College. 2 Feb. 2000 <http://www.ouc.bc.ca/libr/connect96/search.htm>.
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College Style Sheet: For More Information...
- College Style Sheet
Modeled on the MLA style, this guide is published by Langara College and widely used within the College. Many copies are available for borrowing in the Library (Call Number: LB 2369 L36 2005).
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ASA Style (American Sociological Association), 2007 - 3rd ed.
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AAA Style (American Anthropological Association), 2009
- AAA Style Guide
The online version of the 2009 revision. There is also a print copy of the manual available in the library at the Reference Desk: GN 12 S89 2003.
Chicago Style, 2003 - 15th edition
Used by:
- Langara School of Management
- Langara Department of History/Latin/Political Science
Consult your instructor about whether to provide Footnotes or Endnotes.
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Citation Builders
A citation builder is an online tool that helps you build your bibliography or works cited list. It provides a form you fill in that then generates a citation (or a list of citations). However, citation builders don't do everything for you:
- they may not capitalize
- they won't correct your spelling mistakes
- they only cover a limited range of publication types
- the citations created may not have hanging indents
Also, citation builders may not be as authoritative (i.e. trustworthy) as the latest version of the relevant style manual. With those caveats in mind, here are some helpful programs:
- Bibliography Builder
Covers the Chicago and IEEE styles. From the Engineering Communication Centre at the University of Toronto.
- Citation Machine
Creates citations for both APA and MLA-style Works Cited lists. Covers a range of print and electronic source documents (book by a single author, web page, newspaper article, etc.), but does NOT provide citations for articles from online periodical databases like EBSCO Academic Search Premier.
- EasyBib
The free version helps create citations for MLA-style Works Cited lists (but NOT APA style). Covers 30 different types of source documents and includes an option to create an annotated list.
- NCSU Library's Citation Builder
This citation builder illustrates differences among several major styles of citing information sources.
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Citing Canadian government documents
- Brief Guide to Citing Canadian Government Documents
From Queen's University
- Canadian Government Publications: A Citation Guide (pdf - get Adobe Reader)
A comprehensive guide from McGill University
- How to Cite Statistics Canada Products
Provides numerous examples and a three-step guide to building citations for sources from Statistics Canada. Also provides guidelines for citing any data sources such as data files, tables, maps, and databases.
- Legal Citation
This page, from the William R. Lederman Law Library at Queen's University, is an introduction to legal citation, giving explanations and examples for citing cases, statutes, and regulations. It is based on The Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation, 5th ed., (Toronto: Carswell, 2002), a.k.a the "McGill Guide".
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Help with Annotated Bibliographies
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Other Web Guides
- Research and Documentation Online
Online version of Research and Documentation in the Electronic Age, 3d edition, by Diana Hacker. Provides extensive examples and current guidelines for documenting print and electronic sources in APA, MLA, Chicago, and CBE styles.
A print copy is also available at the reference desk in the library.
- Sources
This guide for undergraduates discusses why acknowledging sources is important, and gives examples of how and when to cite print and electronic sources, using both the MLA and APA styles.
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