Research Database Sources

General Guidelines

To cite a source from a library research database, use the format for citing a print source and add the following information about when and where you found the source:

• name of database
• medium of publication (web)
• date of access

If guidelines call for page numbers and there are no page numbers, use n. pag.

If there is no author, start with the title.

MLA Quick Guide to Popular Databases

Click on a database title below to see a sample citation:

• Academic OneFile
• Facts.com - Issues and Controversies
• General Reference Center - Gold
• General Onefile
• NetLibrary (Ebook)
• Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context
• SIRS Researcher

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Journal article

Examples

Kil, Hye Ryoung. "Conrad's 'Undying Hope' of the Polish Nation: Western Ideal and Eastern Reality." Mosaic 39.2 (2006): 1-17. Academic OneFile. Web. 28 May 2009.

Morawska, Alina, and T.P.S. Oei. "Binge Drinking in University Students: A Test of the Cognitive Model." Addictive Behaviors 30.2 (2005): 203-18. General OneFile. Web. 28 May 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of author. "Title of article." Title of journal Volume number.issue number (year): page range. Name of database. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.5.7 and 5.6.4

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Magazine article

Examples

Childress, Sarah. "Frat Hazing: A Dangerous New Drinking Game." Newsweek 8 Dec. 2003: 3-17. General Reference Center Gold. Web. 6 Nov. 2009.

"Liquor Advertising on TV." Issues & Controversies 18 Jan. 2002: n. pag. FACTS.com. Web. 6 Oct. 2009.

Walsh, Bryan. "A River Ran Through It." Time 14 Dec. 2009: 56. ProQuest Central. Web. 18 Dec. 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of author. "Title of article." Title of magazine Publication date: page range. Name of database. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.4

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Dictionary entry or encyclopedia article

Examples

"Pride." Concise Oxford English Dictionary. 12th ed. 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Web. 22 May 2011.

Parts of citation

Name of author. "Title of article or entry." Title of dictionary or encyclopedia. Edition. Year of publication. Name of database. Web. Date of access.

Less Familiar Reference Books
Full publication information is necessary for less familiar reference books, especially those that only appear in one edition.

Example

Nordenson, Nancy. "Blood Sugar Tests." Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Ed. Deirdre S. Blanchfield and Jacqueline L. Longe. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2002. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 May 2011.

Parts of citation

Name of author. "Title of article." Title of reference work. Ed. Name of editor. Edition. Number of volumes. City of publication: Name of publisher, publication date. Name of database. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.5.7 and 5.6.4

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Newspaper article or newswire

Example

Baker, Peter. "Following a Different Map to a Similar Destination". New York Times 9 June 2009: A10. ProQuest Central. Web. 19 Jan. 2010.

Dotinga, Randy. "Quandary for Colleges: How to Battle Binge Drinking." Christian Science Monitor 18 Jan. 2005: n. pag. SIRS Researcher. Web. 28 May 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of author. "Title of article." Title of newspaper Publication date: page range. Name of database. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.4

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Ebook

Example

Atkinson, Alan. Camden. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. ACLS Humanities E-Book. Web. 10 Dec. 2009.

Bogumil, Mary L. Understanding August Wilson. Columbia: U of South Carolina P, 1999. NetLibrary. Web. 6 Oct. 2009.

Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders. Ed. Brigham Narins. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2006. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 6 Oct. 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of author. Ebook title. Name of editor. City of book publication, Name of book publisher, publication date. Name of database. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.5 and 5.6

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Article or chapter in an edited book

Example

Califano, Joseph A. "Drinking Is a Serious Health Problem for Teens." Alcohol. Ed. Karen F. Balkin. San Diego: Greenhaven, 2004. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 26 May 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of article author. "Title of article." Title of book. Name of book editor. City of book publication: Name of book publisher, publication date. Name of database. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.5.6 and 5.6.4

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Radio transcript

Example

Flatow, Ira. "A Dire Prediction for the Future of Sea Life." Talk of the Nation. Nat'l Public Radio. 10 Nov. 2006. Transcript. eLibrary Classic. Web. 23 July 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of author, performer, or other key individual. "Title of transcript." Title of program. Name of network. Date of broadcast. Transcript. Name of database. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.7.1 and 5.6.4

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Podcast

Example

"First Coed College." Profile America. 7 Sept. 2006. General OneFile. Web. 23 July 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of author, host or producer. "Title of podcast." Title of program. Release date. Name of database. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.7.18 and 5.6.4

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eAudiobook

Example

Madden, Thomas F. "God Wills It!": Understanding the Crusades. 2005. Narr. Thomas F. Madden. Audio recording. Recorded Books, 2006. NetLibrary. 23 July 2009. Digital file.

Parts of citation

Name of author. Title of eAudiobook. Publication date of print version. Name of reader. Audio recording. Name of eAudiobook publisher, release date. Name of database. Date of access. Digital file.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.7.18 and 5.6.4

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Chart

MLA 5.7.8 recommends citing a chart like an article in a book or database.

Example

"Public opinion on the moral acceptability of cloning animals, 2001-04." Chart. Cloning Animals, in "Moral Issues," Poll Topics and Trends. 2005. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 23 July 2009.

Parts of citation

"Title of chart." Chart. Title of chart's source. Date of publication. Database title. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.2b and 5.6.4 and 5.7.8

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Visual Image

Example

Blake, William. Creation of Adam and Eve. N.d. ARTstor. Web. 28 May 2009.

Parts of citation

Artist. Title. Date of Composition (N.d. if date unavailable). Title of database. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.2b

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Internet Sources

General Guidelines

When possible, your citation should include the following information:

• author
• document title
• website title
• publisher or site sponsor (use N.p. if not available)
• date of publication or update (use n.d. if not available)
• medium of publication (web)
• date of access

Entire website

Examples

MADD. Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 2009. Web. 28 July 2009.

Kimball, John W., ed. Kimball's Biology Pages. N.p., 2009. Web. 28 July 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of author, compiler, editor. Title of overall Web site. Version or edition. Publisher or site sponsor (use N.p. if not available), Date of publication or last update (use n.d. if not available). Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.2

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Page or document from a website

Example

Hopson, Krista. "Mott Children's Hospital Ranked Top Children's Hospital in State by Child Magazine." University of Michigan Health System. University of Michigan Health System, 4 Jan. 2007. Web. 28 May 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of author, compiler, editor. "Title of page". Title of overall Web site. Version or edition. Publisher or site sponsor (use N.p. if not available), Date of publication or last update (use n.d. if not available). Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.2

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Government publication

Examples

United States. Dept. of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Creative Partnerships: Supporting Youth, Building Communities. Washington: GPO, 2002. Web. 28 May 2009.

United States. Dept. of Health and Human Services. The NHSDA Report: Binge Drinking Among Underage Persons. 9 Apr. 2002. Web. 28 May 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of government. Name of agency. Publication title. Name of author. City of publication of print version: Name of publisher of print version, publication date. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.5.20c and 5.6.2

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Magazine article

Example

Gleach, Frederic W. "The Ritual World of Pocahontas." Natural History. N.p., Nov. 2006. Web. 28 May 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of author. "Title of article." Title of magazine website. Publisher or site sponsor (use N.p. if not available), Date of publication or last update (use N.d. if not available). Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.2

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Encyclopedia article

Examples

"Mickey Mouse." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Nov. 2006. Web. 27 Nov. 2006.

Righelato, Pat. "Daisy Miller." The Literary Encyclopedia. Literary Dictionary, 1 Oct. 2006. Web. 12 Jan. 2007.

Parts of citation

Name of author. "Title of article." Title of encyclopedia. Publisher or site sponsor (use N.p. if not available), Date of publication or last update (use n.d. if not available). Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.2

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Newspaper article or newswire

Example

Maxell, Colleen. "Community College." The State News.com. The State News, 11 June 2007. Web. 28 May 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of author. "Title of article." Title of newspaper website. Publisher or site sponsor (use N.p. if not available), Date of publication or last update (use n.d. if not available). Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.2

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E-mail

Example

Eiffel, Karen. "Re: Death by Chocolate." Message to Harold Crick. 18 Mar. 2006. E-mail.

Parts of citation

Name of author. "Title of message from subject line." Description of message including recipient's name. Date of message. E-mail.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.7.13

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Discussion list

Example

Costa, Roy E. "Bread Boards / Egg Boxes Safe at School?" Post to Foodsafe. 20 Nov. 2006. Discussion list post.

Parts of citation

Author's name. "Title of document as given in subject line." Description of message including name of forum. Date posted. Discussion list post.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.7.13

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Blog

Example

Farkas, Meredith. "Firefox 2 Is My New Best Friend." Information Wants to Be Free. N.p., 1 Nov. 2006. Web. 24 July 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of author. "Title of post". Title of overall Web site. Publisher or site sponsor (use N.p. if not available), Date of publication or last update (use n.d. if not available). Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.2

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Radio program

Example

A Prairie Home Companion. Hosted by Garrison Keillor. Minnesota Public Radio. 21 Nov. 2006. Web. 28 Jul. 2009.

Parts of citation

"Title of episode or segment." Title of program or series. Name of author, performer, or other key individual. Network. Call letters, City. Broadcast date. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.7.1 and 5.6.2d

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Podcast

Example

Allington, Adam. "Invasive Reeds Help Treat Wastewater." The Environment Report. Great Lakes Radio Consortium, 20 Nov. 2006. Web. 28 Jul. 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of author, compiler, editor. "Title of podcast." Title of overall Web site. Version or edition. Publisher or site sponsor (use N.p. if not available), Date of publication or last update (use n.d. if not available). Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.2

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Sound recording

Example

Blakey, Art. "The Egyptian." Indestructible. Blue Note, 1964. Web. 28 Jul. 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of composer or performer. "Title of work." Title of recording. Name of manufacturer, date of release. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.2d and 5.7.2 and 5.7.18

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Television broadcast (webcast)

Example

"Gene Map of Brain Offers Hope for Alzheimer's, Autism." The News Hour with Jim Lehrer. PBS. 29 Nov. 2006. Web. 28 Jul. 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of author, performer, or other relevant individual(s). "Title of broadcast." Title of program. Network, broadcast date. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.2b and 5.7.1

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Interview

Example

Atwood, Margaret. Interviewed in Bold Type. N.p., May 2003. Web. 28 July 2009.

Parts of citation

Name of interviewed person. Interviewed in Title of overall Web site. Version or edition. Publisher or site sponsor (use N.p. if not available), Date of publication or last update (use n.d. if not available). Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.2

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Visual Image

Example

Blake, William. Urizen as the Creator of the Material World. 1794. World Treasures of the Library of Congress. Web. 28 May 2009.

Parts of citation

Artist. Title. Date of Composition (use N.d. if not available). Title of website. Web. Date of access.

MLA Handbook Chapter 5.6.2b

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