​What are citations?

A citation is an academic source referred to in an academic text to show work that either provides background information or has directly influenced your writing.

​

Citations are only used in the body of a text. They point the reader to the references at the end of the text where the reader can find all necessary information in order to locate the source (e.g. author(s) name(s), title, place of publication and publisher, DOI number, etc.).

​

In all fields, citations serve the same purposes:

1. They acknowledge the original source.

2. They show you have researched your field and are aware of current research.

3. They provide evidence for your ability to place your research within a wider research framework.

4. They enable the reader to locate the original source, if s/he is interested.

5. They are used to acknowledge the original source.

 

However, the formatting of citations is diverse.

​

Citation systems

Generally, there are two citation systems to choose from; which one you are going to use depends on who you are writing for. When writing a thesis, your supervisor is going to inform you of the citation style you are supposed to use. When writing a research paper, the journal offers this information on the web site usually on a page containing guidelines for submission for authors.

​

1. Numbered system: a number is used that corresponds to a source (the details of that source are provided in the references).

2. Author–year system: the surname of the writer(s) and the date are used.

​

Examples:

1. Numbered system: They take the form: (1,2) or [1].

2. Author-Date system: They take the form: (Jones, 2019).

​

Some of the most common referencing style guides are:

Numbered systems:

1. American Chemical Society (ACS).

2. American Society Of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

3. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

​

Author-date systems:

1. American Psychological Association (APA).

2. Modern Languages Association (MLA).

​

Where can I find more information on citing and referencing?

• A, Wallwork, English for Writing Research Papers, 2nd ed. Heidelberg: Springer, 2016.

• S. Bailey, Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students, 5th ed. New York: Routledge, 2015.

• A. Gillett, A, Hammond, and M. Martala. Inside Track to Successful Academic Writing. Harlow, Essex: Longman Pearson Education, 2009.

• M. S. Robinson, F. L. Stoller, M. S. Costanza-Robinson, and J. K. Jones. Write like a chemist: a guide and a resource. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.

• https://www.eapfoundation.com

​

​