How to cite research papers in every research paper format

The format of a research paper is different from other types of academic writing. This is because research papers usually have a more complex structure and include a lot of different information. The general structure of a research paper includes: title, abstract, introduction, background, methods, results, discussion, and conclusions. Each section must be properly written and well organized to ensure that the information conveyed is easily understood by the reader. When referring to academic papers or other pieces of academic writing, you must use the appropriate citation style. The APA citation style is one of the most common styles used to refer to certain sources. This includes a signature format to mention the author’s name and the year of publication. The MLA format is also popularly used to refer to certain sources. This includes a signature format to mention the author’s name and a link to the article’s original website. Chicago style is another style that is often used to refer to specific sources. This includes a signature format to mention the author’s name and the page number on which the information is presented.
APA research papers must follow the format prescribed by the American Psychological Association (APA). This format includes: • Title page: Title of research paper, name of author, and contact information. • Abstract: A brief summary of the research paper’s topic and results. • Introduction: Background to the problem and research objectives. • Method: Description of the method used to collect data. • Results: Description of the results obtained from the data that has been collected. • Discussion: Analysis of results and interpretation of data. • Conclusion: The main summary of the findings and implications for the future. • Bibliography: List of resources used during the research process.
Common format for references via endnotes/footnotes: Author Name. (Year). Title. Under Editor Name, Book Title (page). Publisher Name. Example: Smith, J. (2020). Social Psychology. In D. Jones, Social Psychology: Theory and Application (pages 45-67). Oxford UniversityPress. Typical format for inner text: (Author Name, Year) Example: (Smith, 2020) Typical format for reference pages: Author Name, First Initials. (Year). Book title. Publisher Name. Example: Smith, J. (2020). Social Psychology: Theory and Applications. Oxford UniversityPress.

1. Introduction: This is the first section of your paper which presents the background, aims and hypotheses of your research. 2. Methods: This section describes the methods used to conduct your research. This includes the type of data collected, how the data is collected, and how the data is analyzed. 3. Results: This section contains the results of your research and the important findings obtained from the data analysis. 4. Discussion: This section contains the interpretation of the results of your research and the conclusions that can be drawn from the findings. Also accompanied by practical implications and application of theory to problems faced by readers of your paper.
- Page Title
- Abstract
- main body
- Reference
How to cite research papers in APA
1. Author Name. (Year). Paper Title. In Editor Name (Eds.), Book Title (start page-end page). Publisher Name. 2. Author Name. (Year). Paper Title. In Editor Name (Eds.), Book Title (start page-end page). Accessed from URL 3. Author Name. (Year, Month Day). Paper Title. Accessed from URL
- Book: Author, A.A.. (Year of Publication). job title. Publisher City, State: Publisher.
- Example : Finney, J. (1970). Repeatedly. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.
- Magazine: Author, A.A.. (year, month of publication). Article title. Magazine title, volume (issue), pp.-pp.
- Example : Tumulty, K. (2006, April). Should they stay or should they go? Time, 167(15), 3-40.
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Newspaper:
Author, A.A.. (year, month publication date). Article title. Magazine title, pp. xx-xx.
Rosenberg, G. (1997, March 31). Electronic inventions proved an effective legal weapon. New York Times, p. D5. - Website: Author, A.A.. (year, month publication date). Article title. Retrieved from URL
- Example : Simmons, B. (2015, Jan. 9). The tale of two flaccos. Retrieved from {Link}
“Quotes are an effective way of confirming information and linking your ideas to credible sources. Using quotes in academic writing helps increase readers’ confidence in your arguments (Smith, 2020).”
MLA research paper format
First, the title of the paper must be written in the middle of the page. The title must be written in capitals and bold. After the title, write the author’s name below it. The author’s name must be written in lowercase and does not need to be bolded. Second, write an abstract under the author’s name. Abstract is a brief summary of the topic you cover in your paper. The abstract should contain words that describe the general content of the paper and also state its main purpose. Third, write the table of contents at the top of the next page. The table of contents will contain all the chapters and sub-chapters contained in your paper. This will make it easier for readers to find the information they are looking for quickly and easily. Fourth, write an introduction at the beginning of your paper. This introduction will provide an overview of the topic you are talking about as well as provide important background information on the topic. Fifth, write the body of your paper after the introduction. The body of the paper will contain more detailed information about the topic you are talking about as well as arguments to support your opinion on the topic. Sixth, write a conclusion at the end of your paper. The conclusion should be a brief summary of what you’ve talked about before and also present recommendations or solutions to problems previously mentioned in the body of the research.
The use of Times New Roman font in size 12 is the MLA standard for written documents. Margins should be 1 inch on all sides, and tabbed once to indent paragraphs (½ inch). Your last name and page number must be entered in the top right corner of the first page.

How to cite a research paper in MLA format
Writer’s name. “Title of Paper.” Journal Name, Volume, Number, Year of Publication, pages. Example: Smith, John. “The Impact of Social Media on Society.” Journal of Technology and Communication, vol. 5, no. 2, 2020, pp. 1-10.
- Book: last name first name. Book title. Publisher City: Publisher name, year published. Medium.
- Example : Smith, John. Sample book. Pittsburgh: Bibme, 2008. Print.
- Magazine: last name first name. “Article title.” Date of Publication Magazine Name: Page Number. Medium.
- Example : Smith, John. “Obama is inaugurated as president.” Time January 21, 2009: 21-23. Print.
- Newspaper: last name first name. “Article title.” Newspaper name Publication Date: Page Number. Medium.
- Example : Smith, John. “Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2 Feb 2009: 4-6. Print.
- Website: last name first name. “Page title.” Website title. Institution / publisher. Publication Date: Page Number. Medium.
- Example : Smith, John. “Obama is inaugurated as president.” CNN.com. Cable News Network, Jan. 21, 2009. Web. 1 Feb 2009.
Research paper in Chicago style
The Chicago citation format includes writing the author’s name, book title, and other information in the endnotes. Authors must also include a link to the original source where the information originated. This format allows readers to easily access the sources used by authors.

How to cite a research paper in Chicago style
Writer. Publication Year. Title. City: Publisher. Example: Smith, John. 2020. The Art of Writing. New York: Penguin Books.
- Book: last name first name. Book title. Publisher City: Publisher name, year published.
- Example : Brown, Dan. The Da Vinci Code. New York: Scholastic, 2004.
- Magazine: last name first name. Article title. Magazine title, month date, year of publication.
- Example : Chan, Dan. Panda art. Panda Magazine, November 10, 1985.
- Newspaper: Last name First name. “Article title.” Newspaper name, publication date.
- Example : Smith, John. “Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 2, 2009.
- Website: Last name First name. “Page title.” Website title. Web Address (Accessed Date accessed).
- Example : Smith, John. “Obama is inaugurated as president.” {Link} (accessed February 1, 2009).
ASA research paper format
The ASA citation format includes: 1. Author’s name, year of publication, article title (in quotation marks), journal name (followed by edition if any), volume and page numbers. Example: Smith, J. (2020). “The Impact of Social Media on Society”. Journal of Social Studies, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 45-50. 2. Name of author, year of publication, title of book (in quotation marks), name of publisher and location of publication. Example: Jones, M. (2019). The Power of Social Networks: How to Connect and Influence People in the Digital Age. Oxford University Press, Oxford UK.
The official website of the American Sociological Association provides information on ASA styles, including rules for writing titles, citations, and references. This guide also includes information on how to use the ASA style in sociological research and academic reports. This guide also contains useful examples to help you understand how the ASA style works.

How to cite a research paper in ASA format
- Book: Author’s last and first name. Year of publication. Title. Publisher country: Publisher.
- Example: James, Henry. 2003. Turn the screw. New York: Barns & Noble Books.
- E-books: Author’s last and first name. Year of publication. Title. Publisher country: Publisher. Retrieved monthly, year {link}.
- Example: James, Henry. 2003. Turn the screw. New York: Kindle Version of Penguin Books. Accessed January 18, 2017. {Link}
- Journal article: Author’s last and first name. Year of publication. “Title.” Journal Name ISSUES #: Page numbers are inclusive.
- Example: FEEKIN, BO. 2008. “Chasing the tree frog.” National Geographic #182. 6-10.
- Magazine article: Author’s last and first name. Pub year. “Title.” Magazine name, Year Month, PP. Inclusive page numbers.
- Example: Geary, Rachel. 2012. “Problems with mastery learning.” New York Times, April 2002. PP. 15-23.
- Website: Author’s last and first name. Publication date. Title. Publisher. Gets day of month, year {link}.
- Example: Lee, Bruce. 03.09.2004. The birth of a nation. Retrieved 18.01.2017. {link}