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Computer Science

Choosing a Citation Style

Check with your professor/advisor to find out which citation style is preferred for your research. Commonly-used styles include:

  • APA
  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • CSE

When citing your research:

  • use a clear format;
  • be consistent;
  • provide enough information to allow others to identify and find the cited work.

Some databases can generate citations for users after they select a preferred citation style. If you are using one of these databases, be aware that they do not always produce correctly formatted citations. You will have to double-check the citations to make sure they are formatted appropriately.

Citation Generators

These sites generate citations based on information users provide about their sources. Remember that the citations will only be as good as the information entered, so make sure to double-check your work.

  • BibMe

    Creates citations in the APA, MLA, and Chicago styles. Create an account (registration is free) to download a list of citations as a Word document or save your bibliography.

  • Son of Citation Machine

    Generates citations in the APA, MLA, and Chicago styles. This site includes some source types that BibMe does not, including conference papers.

Style Guides

  • Purdue OWL

    Purdue's Online Writing Lab provides a guide to using the APA, MLA, and Chicago citation styles. It includes examples of citations as well as sample papers.

  • Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed.
    Reference LB2369 .U6 (17th 2017)
    Style manual developed by the University of Chicago Press

  • MLA Handbook, 8th ed.
    Reference LB2369 .G53 2016
    Official style manual of the Modern Language Association

  • Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th ed.
    Reference BF76.7 .P83 2020
    Official manual for the APA citation style

  • Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers, 8th ed.
    Reference T11 .S386 2014
    Style manual for the Council of Science Editors

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