When you write a research paper, you will start by reading the research that others have done before you. In your paper you will mention (or "cite") the sources you have consulted. At the end of your paper you will include a bibliography or works cited section, an alphabetical list of citations that contain all the information that readers will need to locate these resources for themselves.
In order to provide a consistent format to your citations, you will use one of several popular standard citation styles. Check with your instructors to find out which style they want you to use.
This guide summarizes and/or provides examples of the four styles used by most UMM instructors. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is used by most English and humanities classes at UMM; the American Psychological Association (APA) style is used by many psychology and social science classes; another style preferred by some instructors is the University of Chicago (Chicago or Turabian) style, and finally The CSE, Council of Science Editors Style, is used in the sciences.
Many of our online databases will help you format your citations. You should always double-check the results you get, as the citations often need some clean-up. Here are instructions for a few of our most popular databases.
EBSCOhost databases (e.g., Academic Search Complete, Environment Complete, etc.) - When you click the title of an article, there are icons in the "Tools" section located in the right navigation column of the page - for "Print," "E-mail," "Save," "Export", "Cite", etc.; each of these choices gives you an option to include a citation in the MLA, APA, or Chicago style among others. If exporting to RefWorks, select the "Export" tool.
Tip: Click on the Choose Databases at the top of the search box - see below - to see all of the EBSCOhost databases.
Literature Resource Center (Gale) - When you click the title of an article, a Tools box is displayed at the right. Select "Citation Tools" options will display citations in MLA or APA styles. You may also export to RefWorks from there.
Global Newsstream (ProQuest) - When you have displayed an article, click the "Cite this" link at the top. You can select from a large number of citation styles. You can also select the Export/Save tool at the top to export your citations to Refworks.
Ask Us!
Librarians are available for drop-in research help on weekdays during the academic year.
Stop by the library, email us at ummlibrary@maine.edu with your question, or call us at (207) 255-1254 to set up an appointment.