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How to Write a Research Paper: How to Cite a Research Paper

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John Milovich
John Milovich
ScamFighter Expert
Former college customer turned freelance writer, shares insider insights on the essay industry.

No matter if you are working on a dissertation, thesis, or any other type of scholarly paper, proper citation is a must, as I mentioned before in a Paper Owl review. In fact, this is the first aspect the students should take care of as they work on similar assignments. APA, MLA, and Chicago are the most common formatting styles that can help you avoid plagiarism and keep the paper unique.

Why is it necessary to cite a research paper? There are a few factors that should be taken into account here. First of all, it is the fastest and simplest way to avoid plagiarism. Additionally, it can help you keep the paper looking academic and scholarly. Additionally, if you know how to cite in a research paper, you know how to keep it easy to read and comprehend. If you're exploring external writing services, you might want to consider reviews to gather insights. In my previous piece, I researched whether Essay Pro is legit. First of all, it is the fastest and simplest way to avoid plagiarism. Additionally, it can help you keep the paper looking academic and scholarly. Additionally, if you know how to cite in a research paper, you know how to keep it easy to read and comprehend.

Do you have little idea of what proper research paper citing is? Keep reading the article to expand your vision and enhance your chances to thrive with the most critical academic projects.

Why Is Citing Important?

Intellectual dishonesty is one of the most devastating problems that can bother students working on academic assignments. Presenting ideas of other writers without giving a due reference can be considered plagiarism and goes against scientific ethics. Therefore, when it comes to the choice of the citation format for research paper, there is no way you neglect the point. Instead, make sure you proofread and edit the paper to avoid instances of plagiarism and other issues related to poor citation or formatting.

Browsing the web, you can find lots of effective plagiarism checkers that will help you eliminate possible risks. Additionally, there are professional services that can be used to cite research paper. Anyway, irrespective of the option you choose, you need to be determined to avoid critical problems associated with stealing the ideas of other scholar.

  • Avoid plagiarism. Proper citing is the best way to eliminate instances of plagiarism and to give due respect to the real author of the sentence, idea, or concept.
  • Provide evidence. Sharing the ideas of other scholars can confirm the correctness of your perspective. Therefore, it can be a great option on the way to the research paper creation.
  • Respect intellectual property. As a scholar, you definitely want your intellectual rights to be protected and preserved. Therefore, you should work the same way, referencing the works of other scholars in compliance with the regulations.

Key Citation Elements

Inexperienced writers may have problems with the citation paper format. However, following the guidelines and recommendations can help them succeed with the undertaking and enjoy a flawless and effective essay-writing process.

What type of citation for research paper should be used? Before you dive into the writing process, make sure you collect the necessary information that will be needed, irrespective of the style you choose.

  • Author
  • Title
  • Source
  • Editor
  • Editions and volume
  • Publication state
  • Page numbers
  • Country of publication
  • URL for online sources
  • DOI

When to Cite a Source

Do you want to know how to cite research paper? Are you sure you know when you need to do it? Even though the prominence of the proper citing should not even be doubted, it is critical to insert the citations in the proper place. Make sure you use proper citation research paper format when you quote the author’s words, refer to certain data, paraphrase the ideas of a scholar, or reduce long passages.

APA Citation Style and Its Peculiarities

Are you looking for guidelines on what citation style to use for research paper? You will be disappointed to learn that none of the formatting styles is universal. Instead, they are all used with specific projects and peculiar sciences. When it comes to the Americal Psychological Association formatting style, it is one of the most commonly used ones, especially when working on academic projects.

Do you want to know how to site a research paper in APA? Check out a few tips and guidelines that will draw you closer to the desired results. Start with the general formatting rules when the essays should be typed on a standard paper with a 1-inch margin and double spaces. A clear and easy-to-read font is a must. The page header at the top of each page is another element that should be included.

Citing a research paper in APA, follow a pattern.

  • Book. Author, A.A.. (Publication Year). Work Title. City of the Publisher, State: Name of the Publisher.
  • Newspaper. Author, A.A.. (Publication Year, Month, Date). Title of the Article. Title of the Magazine, pp. x-x.
  • Website. Author, A.A.. (Publication Year, Month, Date). Title of the Article, Retrieved from URL.

Main Features of MLA Citation Style

Citing a research paper in MLA format is quite a popular experience that is typical for projects in humanities and liberal arts. When it comes to the formatting style, there are no strict rules to follow. Instead, there are several principles that should be met in order to succeed with the assignment.

The font should just be readable, so the vast majority of students prefer Times New Roman or Arial size 12. The paper should have 1-inch margins and be double-spaced. The last name of the writer and the page should be mentioned in the upper right corner of the first page.

As for the citations, they are formatted in compliance with the following rules.

  • Book. Last, First Name. Title of the Book. City of the Publisher: Name of the Publisher, Publishing Year.
  • Newspaper. Last, First Name. Title of the Book. “Title of the Article”. Newspaper Name and Publication Date: Number of Pages.
  • Website. Last, First Name. “Title of the Page”. Title of the Website. Publisher. Publication Date: Page Numbers.

Chicago Formatting Style

The Chicago formatting style is another option that can be used for research paper citation. The style is typical for the assignments in humanities and requires the writer to cite the footnotes and endnotes. The formatting style is focused on the expression of credibility and accountability to the references and literature used in the academic paper.

The requirements for the citation style are not complicated. Check out the guidelines that will help you come up with the properly cited sources.

  • Book. Last Name, First Name. Book Title. The City of Publisher: Name of Publisher, Year of Publication.
  • Newspaper. Last, First Name. “Title of the Article”. Name of the Newspaper, Date of Publication.
  • Website. Last, First Name. “Page Title”. Title of the Website. Web Address.

FAQs

A citation is an effective way to mention the original source of information, idea, or concept used in the custom paper. In-text citations and references are indispensable elements for effective academic paper creation, as they are the elements that can prevent instances of plagiarism and help to keep the paper unique and authentic.

Academic writing is a demanding process that requires excellence in every single detail. Thus, when it comes to citations, it is indispensable to follow the guidelines in order to avoid instances of plagiarism and to contribute to the academic value of the paper.

When it comes to research paper writing, there are several widely spread formatting styles students use. They include MLA, APA, and Chicago formatting styles. The choice will depend on multiple aspects, including the requirements of the instructor, the subject, and the academic level. Stick to the writing tips to keep the paper scholarly and influential.