Citing Sources Ethically and Avoiding Plagiarism  Tags: turnitin scholarly_publishing english_composition literature dny  

While APA and MLA are used in core courses, many disciplines, journals and institutions have their own styles (Sample list found here and an extensive list here).  Consult with your professors about the guide for your "discipline" -- you might also consider using RefWorks citation manager to help you in your quest for proper citation format.

Please note that MLA has a new 7th edition (2009).  Although the sites below offer helpful guidelines, please refer refer to the MLA guide (available at the Reference Desk) for most recent details. Please note that MLA has made access to web-based samples contingent upon buying their book.

Chicago-Style Citation Quick Guide distinguishes between the two types of documentation with the Chicago style: "the humanities style (notes and bibliography) ... is preferred by many in literature, history, and the arts. ... The more concise author-date system has long been used by those in the physical, natural, and social sciences, ...[where] short citations are amplified in a list of references...."

Please also consult the 6th edition of Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (available at the Reference Desk) Turabian's styles "are essentially the same as those presented in The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, with slight modifications for the needs of student writers" of theses and dissertations. (See distinction between Note/Bibliography and Author/date systems in Chicago Guide above)

Please note that APA has a new 6th edition (2009).  Although the university-sponsored sites offer helpful guidelines, please refer to the APA guide (available at the Reference Desk) or the APA website for most recent details.

Please also refer the the Council of Science Editor's Guide