Citation & Refworks

Citation Managers

Citation Mangers, such as RefWorks or Zotero, permit you to create a personal database and to manage all your research.  They allow you to import references from MSVU online article databases, and to enter the selected records into your citation database.  When writing papers, you are able to choose from the various citation styles, and your citation manager will partially format a bibliography based on the references in your database.

Please note: You must check your generated bibliographies for accuracy.  Refworks and Zotero both do some of the work for you, but to ensure that your bibliographies are correct you must check the style guides listed below.

Unsure how to choose between RefWorks or Zotero? Use the 'Which one is right for me' checklist [PDF], or view a detailed comparison chart of RefWorks and Zotero . . .

RefWorks: Getting started with RefWorks -RefWorks instructions and tutorials  Launch RefWorks  You can access your references anywhere. However, if you access RefWorks from off-campus, you will be required to enter the MSVU Group Code: RWMSVU Coming August 15, 2011 - RefWorks 2.0 You can preview the new interface by logging in and clicking on the "RefWorks 2.0" link at the top right of your RefWorks account. Once in the new vesion, you may return to the original interface by clicking "RefWorks Classic" at the top right of the screen. RefWorks will support both interfaces until December 2011. For more information view the RefWorks 2.0 promotional video

Zotero: Zotero works with the Firefox browser to manage your citations. Getting started with Zotero - Zotero instructions and tutorials Zotero Benefits? Collect citations from your Firefox browser location bar Quickly and efficiently organize your references with drag and drop ease It works with Microsoft Word and OpenOffice You can access your references anywhere by syncing between computers.

Style Guides

MSVU Library's citation guides. [PDF files]:

• American Psychological Association (APA) - 6th edition
• American Psychological Association (APA) - 5th edition
• Modern Language Association (MLA)
• Chicago
• All 3 styles with introduction (APA is 5th edition)

 

• DOI lookup: The latest edition of the APA style requires a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for online journal article citations. If you're not sure what the DOI is for your article this handy DOI lookup form can find it for you.
• Assembling a list of works cited: Examples of citations from different sources for the major styles, from Duke University.
• Sources: Their Use & Acknowledgement: This site from Dartmouth College includes examples from the various citation styles.
• Citation Style for Research Papers Created and maintained by the B. Davis Schwartz Library, this site includes examples from the various citation styles.

• Citation Styles:  Williams College Libraries Guide to APA, Chicago, MLA and ACS : American Chemical Society

• APA Style Guide Electronic References [PDF]: This guide is a revised and updated version of section 4.16 of the fifth edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2001, pp. 268-281).
• A Guide for Writing Research Papers based on Styles Recommended by The American Psychological Association: Prepared by the Humanities Department
  and the Arthur C. Banks Jr. Library Capital Community College.

MLA

• Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Format. Created and maintained by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab. 

 

     Chicago

• The Chicago Manual of Style Online. Published by the University of Chicago Press.
  The complete guide in an online format, including  'quick guide' and 'questions and answers' sections.
• MSVU History Department's Guide: Writing History Essays

ASA

• Formatting in Sociology (ASA Style): Maintained by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab. .

Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research

• Dieticians of Canada - Guide for authors and citation styles (examples on page 7)

Government & legal documents

These sites includes examples of the correct citation format for many types of Canadian Government Documents.

• How to Cite Statistics Canada Products: This site describes,in three steps, how to build your reference when citing Statistics Canada products.
• Citing Canadian Government Documents
• Bibliographic Citations for Data Files: Maintained by Memorial University of Newfoundland Library 
• Legal Citation Guide:  Maintained by Queen's University. 
• Introduction to Legal Research & Citation: Maintained by the University of Toronto Law Library

 

Avoiding Plagiarism

• Consequences of plagiarism can be serious. Please refer to the MSVU policy regarding plagiarism.
• Avoiding Plagiarism: The Hamilton College Writing Centre provides an excellent guide to proper referencing.

•  University of Toronto's - How not to Plagiarize
  

• Northwestern University's - Avoiding Plagiarism and Accidental Plagiarism

Basic tips:

• If you quote anyone directly, cite the person properly according to your chosen style.

• If you are paraphrasing or summarizing any ideas that are not your own- you must cite the source of the idea.

• Your professor should indicate the method of citation that she or he prefers.

• Be consistent with your choice of citation style.

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