When working on a paper or project, you'll often need to cite the resources that you used. The citation of these sources often can be a source of frustration. There are several strategies that you can use to help make citing sources a bit easier. Here are some suggestions:
- Learn the Citation Style: One strategy to use is to simply get to know the style and how it works. Though this does take work, it is always helpful since once you learn the style, you'll also know if the citation tools are giving reliable results. Our help pages on APA and MLA style provide you with two sources that you can look at. First, there is the style book itself. Though not online, the book is the authoritative guide. Second, there are links to online resources like Purdue's OWL labs that help you learn the different citation styles.
- Use a Citation Tool: Both the catalog and EBSCO databases provide you with a feature where you can click a Cite button and then see a citation for your selected resource in a variety of documentation styles. This is often the easiest way to get a citation into your resource. Note: You'll still want to learn the style to know if the citation is correct.
- Use a Citation Management Tool: For larger projects, a citation management tool like Endnote or Zotero may be easier for you. The Citation Management Tool page has a few helps in knowing when to use these resources,where to get them,and how to use them with the catalog and databases.
