With your in-text citation, your reader will be able to tell which full bibliographic (reference) citation you are referring to by paying attention to the author’s name and publication date.
Here’s a citation in the text of an academic paper:
| Studies have shown that compared to passive learning, which occurs when students observe a lecture, students will learn more and will retain that learning longer if more active methods of teaching and learning are used (Bonwell and Eison 1991; Fink 2003). |
The information in parentheses coordinates with a list of full citations at the end of the paper.
At the end of the paper, these bibliographic entries appear in a reference list:
|
Bonwell, C. G. & Eison, J. A.(1991). “Active learning in the classroom.” ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Rep. No. 1, George Washington Univ., Washington, D.C. Fink, L. D. (2003). Creating significant learning experiences. Wiley: New York. |
Examples from Ohio State University Libraries. (n.d.). Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research by Teaching & Learning. Pressbooks CC BY 4.0.
The purpose of using a standardized reference format like the MLA or APA is so that readers can easily understand the syntax and check the citations.
MLA: Humanities courses (such as history, literature, philosophy, arts, religion, anthropology, and politics) are usually asked to use MLA guidelines.
APA: Students in science and research fields (such as psychology, sociology, nursing, criminology, social work, business, and education) are often encouraged to follow the APA guidelines.