Tech Tools: Citation Tools
There are many digital citation tools available to help students properly cite the sources used in research projects. Below is a brief overview of five free resources.
- Pros: numerous source types; auto search and annotation options; free Android and iOS apps and a Google Docs Add-on
- Cons: multiple advertisements; does not offer Turabian style
- Styles: MLA, APA, Chicago, Chicago Author-Date, AMA, ASA, ACS, CSE, Harvard 1
- Source types: nearly 60 options, 22 of which can be searched via the tool
- Pros: largest number of source types; annotation option
- Cons: full tool only available through paid subscription (check with your school library); does not differentiate between Chicago and Turabian styles
- Styles: MLA, APA, Chicago/Turabian
- Source types: over 80 options, including many specific digital source types
- Pros: offers the most commonly used styles, including Turabian; manual and some auto-fill entry options; annotation option
- Cons: multiple advertisements, including occasional pop-over ads; browser remembers first style chosen
- Styles: MLA, APA, Chicago, Turabian
- Source types: book, magazine, newspaper, journal, website, film, encyclopedia, interview, lecture, broadcast
- Pros: offers the most commonly used styles, including Turabian; manual and some auto-fill entry options; easy to switch between styles
- Cons: multiple advertisements, including occasional pop-over ads; no annotation option
- Styles: MLA, APA, Chicago, Turabian
- Source types: book, magazine, newspaper, journal, website, film, encyclopedia, interview, lecture, broadcast
- Pros: easy to use and quick; manual and some auto-fill entry options
- Cons: multiple advertisements, including pop-over ads; does not offer Turabian style; no annotation option
- Styles: MLA, APA, Chicago
- Source types: book, magazine, newspaper, journal, website, webpage, web image, online video, blog, audio podcast, television, film/DVD, interview, encyclopedia/dictionary, government publication, dissertation/thesis
Additional citation tools can be found here. While these tools can help with the citation process, students should always review the final citations for accuracy.
For more on MLA style, check out the MLA Documentation Guide from University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center.
For more on Chicago style, check out the Chicago-Style Quick Citation Guide from Chicago Manual of Style Online.
For more on Turabian style, check out the Turabian Quick Guide.