The following five modules provide an introduction to the citation formats most commonly used at Harcum: APA, MLA, AMA, NLM, and ASA. Each module provides an overview of the format as well as how to craft citations for books, journal articles, and websites. Examples are provided.
These modules are only meant to be an introduction to the citation formats and are not comprehensive. For more information, consult our Cite Sources guide or Purdue OWL. The most authoritative source for citation formats is always the print manual associated with that format.
These modules can also be found in Canvas, where each contains a self-assessment quiz.
Citing your sources is essential in any research paper. It demonstrates respect for original authors, helps your instructor track your information sources, and shows you’ve done thorough research. Proper citations also allow readers to locate and explore the sources you used.
Always cite not only direct quotes but also ideas, findings, and methods from other people, even if you paraphrase them. Common knowledge, such as well-known facts easily found in multiple sources (e.g., “Presidents' Day in the United States is observed on the third Monday in February”), doesn’t need a citation. However, when in doubt, it's safer to include a citation.
Failing to cite sources can lead to plagiarism, which means using someone else's work without giving them credit. Plagiarism, whether intentional or accidental, undermines the integrity of your work.
For assistance with avoiding plagiarism and correctly citing sources, visit the Plagiarism and Academic Integrity tab on our Cite Sources guide.
Different fields use different citation styles at Harcum:
Be sure to use the citation style specified by your program or instructor. We have guides for each style — review the one that applies to your course.
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