LibGuides: MLA Citation Guide (MLA 9th Edition): Reference Information from Library Databases

General Format for Citing Reference Information from Library Databases

Reference sources include materials that provide an overview of a topic (e.g., encyclopedia article), or quick facts (e.g., definition from a dictionary, data from an almanac). The following is a general format for citing reference-type library databases.

Works Cited List Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name(s). "Title of resource." Database Name, Publisher if given and different from database name, Publication or update date.

Example

Tunstall, Lee. "Political Advertising on Social Media: Overview." Canadian Points of View, EBSCO, 2021.

In-Text Citation

(Author's Last Name Page number, if given)

Example

(Tunstall)

See Encyclopedias & Dictionaries for the citation template for citing an encyclopedia or dictionary entry from a library database.

Note: The following examples provide information on citing topic overviews and "points of view" essays from Canadian Points of View. If you are citing other types of material found in this database (e.g., journal or magazine article), see the Citation Examples for more information on citing these types of sources.

Canadian Points of View - Topic Overview or Points of View Essay

Works Cited List Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name(s). "Title of resource." Canadian Points of View, EBSCO, Publication or update date.

Examples

With author

Tunstall, Lee. "Political Advertising on Social Media: Overview." Canadian Points of View, EBSCO, 2021.

No author

"Point: Political Advertisements Should Be Banned from Social Media or Strictly Regulated." Canadian Points of View, EBSCO, 2021.

In-Text Citation

(Author's Last Name Page number, if given) or if no author, ("Title of Resource" Page number, if given)

Examples

(Tunstall)

("Point: Political Advertisements")

Note: If the article title is long, you may shorten it to the first few words in the in-text citation.

CultureGrams

Works Cited List Citation

"Title of resource." CultureGrams, ProQuest, Publication or update date, if available.

Example

"Yukon." CultureGrams, ProQuest, 2024.

In-Text Citation

("Title of Resource")

Example

("Yukon")

Europa World

Works Cited List Citation

"Title of resource." Europa World, Routledge, Publication or update date, if available.

Example

"Antarctica." Europa World, Routledge.

In-Text Citation

("Title of Resource")

Example

("Antarctica")

Note: The following examples provide information on citing topic overviews and viewpoint essays from Opposing Viewpoints in Context. If you are citing other types of material found in this database (e.g., journal or magazine article), see the Citation Examples for more information on citing these types of sources.

Opposing Points of View - Topic Overview or Viewpoints Essay

Works Cited List Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name(s). "Title of resource." Opposing Viewpoints in Context, Gale, Publication or update date if given.

Examples

With author

Mouradian, Vahaken. "Artificial Intelligence Will Not Replace Human Creativity." Opposing Viewpoints in Context, Gale, 2023.

No author

"Artificial Intelligence." Opposing Viewpoints in Context, Gale, 2021.

In-Text Citation

(Author's Last Name Page number, if given) or if no author, ("Title of Resource" Page number, if given)

Examples

(Mouradian)

("Artificial Intelligence")

Note: If the article title is long, you may shorten it to the first few words in the in-text citation.

Oxford Reference eBook with Editor and No Author

Works Cited List Citation

Editor's Last Name, First Name(s), editor. Title of entry. Name of Oxford Reference eBook, Oxford University Press, DOI, if available.

Note: You may find the DOI link by viewing the main page of the Oxford Reference eBook you are citing.

Example

Wondrich, David, and Noah Rothbaum, editors. Molecular Mixology. The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails, Oxford University Press, doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780199311132.001.0001.

In-Text Citation

(Editor's Last Name)

Example

(Wondrich and Rothbaum)

Oxford Reference eBook with Author

Works Cited List Citation

Author's Last Name, First Name(s). Title of entry. Name of Oxford Reference eBook, edited by First Name Last Name of Editor (if given), Oxford University Press, DOI, if available.

Note: You may find the DOI link by viewing the main page of the Oxford Reference eBook you are citing. Omit the editor element if the source you're citing has no editor.

Example

Lenman, Robin. Lens Aberrations. The Oxford Companion to the Photograph, edited by Angela Nicholson, Oxford University Press, 2005, doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780198662716.001.0001.

In-Text Citation

(Author's Last Name)

Example

(Lenman)