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Free APA Citation Generator

Generate citations in APA format quickly and automatically, with MyBib!

🤔 What is an APA Citation Generator?

An APA citation generator is a software tool that will automatically format academic citations in the American Psychological Association (APA) style.

It will usually request vital details about a source -- like the authors, title, and publish date -- and will output these details with the correct punctuation and layout required by the official APA style guide.

Formatted citations created by a generator can be copied into the bibliography of an academic paper as a way to give credit to the sources referenced in the main body of the paper.

👩‍🎓 Who uses an APA Citation Generator?

College-level and post-graduate students are most likely to use an APA citation generator, because APA style is the most favored style at these learning levels. Before college, in middle and high school, MLA style is more likely to be used. In other parts of the world styles such as Harvard (UK and Australia) and DIN 1505 (Europe) are used more often.

🙌 Why should I use a Citation Generator?

Like almost every other citation style, APA style can be cryptic and hard to understand when formatting citations. Citations can take an unreasonable amount of time to format manually, and it is easy to accidentally include errors. By using a citation generator to do this work you will:

• Save a considerable amount of time
• Ensure that your citations are consistent and formatted correctly
• Be rewarded with a higher grade

In academia, bibliographies are graded on their accuracy against the official APA rulebook, so it is important for students to ensure their citations are formatted correctly. Special attention should also be given to ensure the entire document (including main body) is structured according to the APA guidelines. Our complete APA format guide has everything you need know to make sure you get it right (including examples and diagrams).

⚙️ How do I use MyBib's APA Citation Generator?

Our APA generator was built with a focus on simplicity and speed. To generate a formatted reference list or bibliography just follow these steps:

• Start by searching for the source you want to cite in the search box at the top of the page.
• MyBib will automatically locate all the required information. If any is missing you can add it yourself.
• Your citation will be generated correctly with the information provided and added to your bibliography.
• Repeat for each citation, then download the formatted list and append it to the end of your paper.

MyBib supports the following for APA style:

Daniel is a qualified librarian, former teacher, and citation expert. He has been contributing to MyBib since 2018.

Scribbr Harvard Referencing Generator

Accurate Harvard references, verified by experts, trusted by millions.

Save hours of repetitive work with Scribbr's Harvard Referencing Generator.

Stop wasting hours figuring out the correct citation format. With Scribbr's referencing generator , you can search for your source by title, URL, ISBN, or DOI and generate accurate Harvard style references in seconds.

Rely on accurate references, verified by experts.

You don’t want points taken off for incorrect referencing. That’s why our referencing experts have invested countless hours perfecting our algorithms. As a result, we’re proud to be recommended by teachers worldwide.

Enjoy the Harvard Referencing Generator with minimal distraction.

Staying focused is already challenging enough. You don’t need video pop-ups and flickering banner ads slowing you down. At Scribbr, we keep distractions to a minimum while also keeping the Harvard Referencing Generator free for everyone.

Referencing Generator features you'll love

Search for your source by title, URL, DOI, ISBN, and more to retrieve the relevant information automatically.

Cite Them Right 12th ed.

Scribbr's Harvard Referencing Generator supports the most commonly used versions: Cite Them Right (12th edition).

Export to Bib(La)TeX

Easily export in BibTeX format and continue working in your favorite LaTeX editor.

Export to Word

Reference list finished? Export to Word with perfect indentation and spacing set up for you.

Sorting, grouping, and filtering

Organize the reference list the way you want: from A to Z, new to old, or grouped by source type.

Save multiple lists

Stay organized by creating a separate reference list for each of your assignments.

Choose between Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, and more options to match your style.

Industry-standard technology

The Scribbr Referencing Generator is built using the same citation software (CSL) as Mendeley and Zotero, but with an added layer for improved accuracy.

Explanatory tips help you get the details right to ensure accurate citations.

Secure backup

Your work is saved automatically after every change and stored securely in your Scribbr account.

• Introduction

Reference examples

Missing information, citation examples, tools and resources, how to reference in harvard style.

Harvard referencing is a widely used referencing style (especially in UK universities) that includes author-date in-text citations and a complete reference list at the end of the text.

There are many versions of Harvard referencing style. Our guidance reflects the rules laid out in Cite Them Right: The Essential Referencing Guide (12th edition) by Richard Pears and Graham Shields.

Scribbr’s free reference generator can create flawless Harvard style references for a wide variety of sources.

• Cite a webpage
• Cite a book
• Cite a journal article

Harvard reference entries

The reference list appears at the end of your text, listing full information on all the sources you cited. A Harvard reference entry generally mentions the author , date , title , publisher or publication that contains the source, and URL or DOI if relevant.

You’ll include different details depending on the type of source you’re referencing, as some information is only relevant to certain kinds of publications.

The format of a reference entry varies based on source type. Apart from the information included, formatting details such as the use of italics also depend on what you’re referencing. The tabs below show formats and examples for the most commonly referenced source types.

The suggested information won’t necessarily all be available for the source you’re referencing. To learn how to work around missing information in your references, check the table below.

Harvard Referencing Generator

Generate accurate Harvard style references in seconds

Get started

Harvard in-text citations

Harvard referencing style uses author-date in-text citations, which means including the author’s last name and the publication year of the source, like this: (Smith, 2019). This citation points the reader to the corresponding entry in the reference list.

Always include an in-text citation when you quote or paraphrase a source. Include a page number or range when available and relevant to indicate which part of the source you’re drawing on. Using material from other sources without acknowledging them is plagiarism.

In-text citations can be parenthetical (author and date both in parentheses) or narrative (author name mentioned in the sentence, date in parentheses). A source may also have more than one author. If there are four or more, name only the first, followed by “ et al. ”

As with reference entries, it’s good to be aware of how to deal with missing information in your in-text citations.

Scribbr offers a variety of other tools and resources to help with referencing and other aspects of academic writing:

• Referencing generator : Scribbr’s free referencing generator can also create flawless citations in other styles, such as APA and MLA .
• Free plagiarism checker : Detect and fix plagiarism issues with the most accurate plagiarism checker available, powered by Turnitin.
• Proofreading services : Make sure your writing is clear and professional with the help of an expert editor.
• Guide to Harvard style : Understand the rules of Harvard referencing style, and learn how to cite a variety of sources.
• Guides and videos : Explore our Knowledge Base, our YouTube channel, and a wide variety of other educational resources covering topics ranging from language to statistics.

• Plagiarism and grammar
• Citation guides

Citation Machine® — Write Smarter

Start a new citation or manage your existing bibliographies.

Scan your paper for plagiarism and grammar errors.

Check your paper for grammar and plagiarism

Catch plagiarism and grammar mistakes with our paper checker

Use Citation Machine® Plus to get smart recommendations!

Scan your paper for unintentional plagiarism and get advanced recommendations for sentence structure, writing style, grammar and more!

• expert check

Know you're citing correctly

No matter what citation style you're using (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) we'll help you create the right bibliography

Check for unintentional plagiarism

Scan your paper the way your teacher would to catch unintentional plagiarism. Then, easily add the right citation

Strengthen your writing

Give your paper an in-depth check. Receive feedback within 24 hours from writing experts on your paper's main idea, structure, conclusion, and more.

Find and fix grammar errors

Don't give up sweet paper points for small mistakes. Our algorithms flag grammar and writing issues and provide smart suggestions

See what's included with Citation Machine® Plus

Citation machine® guides & resources, mla format: everything you need to know and more.

Filled with a wide variety of examples and visuals, our Citation Machine® MLA guide will help you master the citation process. Learn how to cite websites, books, journal articles, magazines, newspapers, films, social media, and more!

MLA Citation Generator | Website | Books | Journal Articles | YouTube | Images | Movies | Interview | PDFs

Comprehensive Guide to APA Format

Our Citation Machine® APA guide is a one-stop shop for learning how to cite in APA format. Read up on what APA is, or use our citing tools and APA examples to create citations for websites, books, journals, and more!

APA Citation Generator | Website | Books | Journal Articles | YouTube | Images | Movies | Interview | PDFs

Everything You Need to Know About Chicago Style

Creating citations in Chicago style has never been easier thanks to our extensive Citation Machine® Chicago style guide and tools. Learn about footnotes, endnotes, and everything in between, or easily create citations for websites, books, journal articles, and more!

Chicago Citation Generator | Website | Books | Journal Articles | YouTube | Images | Movies | Interview | PDFs

Citation Machine®’s Ultimate Writing Guides

Whether you’re a student, writer, foreign language learner, or simply looking to brush up on your grammar skills, our comprehensive grammar guides provide an extensive overview on over 50 grammar-related topics. Confused about reflexive verbs, demonstrative adjectives, or conjunctive adverbs? Look no further! Learn about these grammar topics and many, many more in our thorough and easy to understand reference guides!

Citing Sources Guide | Grammar Guide | Plagiarism Guide | Writing Tips

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Stay up to date! Get research tips and citation information or just enjoy some fun posts from our student blog.

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Reference Finder by AcademicHelp

Locate relevant results

Free to use

Speed up your research process

Take your referencing to the next level with our source finder tool.

Should you be in search of a cost-free instrument that can elevate your homework writing tasks, you’ve arrived at the ideal destination. Our source finder for essays and research papers is seamlessly integrated with the largest open-access database brimming with officially published academic materials including books, journals, and article collections. 

With the help of this AI-powered assistant, you will be spared the hassle of sifting through irrelevant web pages manually. Believe us, we know that you don’t have all that time to spend on useless articles. Get to the essence of scholarly research that was specifically neatly compiled into an easily navigable list.

This is precisely why our citation tool is highly favored not just by students, but by a range of researchers in various fields, such as journalists, content creators, speechwriters, and more.

Accelerating Your Writing with Our Reference Tool

We trained our academic source finder to make it extra assistive. Our system is designed to pinpoint the most relevant resources that support, prove, and add depth to your subject from various perspectives. Whether you’re writing already or haven’t begun yet, this tool proves invaluable in expanding your range of resources.

With our source finder for essays and other types of academic writing, you can also unlock a variety of fresh insights at a click’s reach. Just type in your topic and instantly access a large selection of sources we’ve compiled. Every link is readily available and can be easily downloaded, allowing you to curate a personalized library of resources relevant to your field of study.

An All-Inclusive Citation Finder for In-depth Research

Many students spend hours searching for resources relevant to their papers. And even if they find a good online library, they will still spend valuable time just scrolling the pages trying to find relevant information. Yet time is one of the most valuable resources when you do your research. Our tool offers a solution to the problem of losing precious hours. Thanks to its algorithms it locates the thoughts and references you need just in a few seconds. Enter your topic in our search bar, and access any required citation details.

In contrast to generic search engines that often lead to SEO-driven, sales-focused content, our tool provides direct access to a world of academic sources. Libraries remain a viable option for in-depth research, especially if they specialize in your field. But for immediate inspiration and efficiency, our reference finder is indispensable to ensure the timely completion of your work.

Versatile Citation Formats: APA, MLA, Chicago, and More

Finding the right source is just part of the problem. The other issue is that you have to format that book, article, or whatever, both in the text and in the reference list. And, of course, you need to organize everything according to a specific formatting style. 

There are so many requirements for each type of reference though that you can’t possibly keep track of all of them. That would be a real struggle if you had to do everything manually. Thanks to our Reference Finder though, you can save yourself from the formatting hell. Our service provides pre-edited resources, meaning they come arranged according to a specific referencing style. This will save you time and nerves during the writing process, as well as at the stage of editing. 

A Reference Finder Tool for High-Quality, Diverse Sources

Our tool offers greater versatility than standard MLA citation finders focused solely on one format. What sets our citation finder apart is its sophisticated algorithm, which is adept at identifying the most relevant and current materials related to your topic. Use it freely to discover new sources and expand your subject matter.

Is there an AI that finds references?

Yes, there is a variety of online tools and software that can help you find references for academic papers, articles, or other research materials. These AI-powered tools often use natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to search through available databases and provide relevant citations or sources based on your query or topic. AcademicHelp’s Reference Finder is one of the brightest examples of online platforms that can help you find sources for any type of research.

What is reference finder?

A reference finder is a tool or software that can locate and cite academic sources, such as journal articles, books, conference papers, and sometimes even videos. It can be a separate application or a feature integrated into research databases, library catalogs, or writing software. Reference finders often provide different search options, for example by keywords, author names, or specific titles to help you find the sources you need for your work.

How do I find a specific reference?

To find a specific reference, you can manually google either the name or the author of the work. However, this method doesn’t always work since it is hard to remember such details about every single entry on your reference list. That’s why you can use special software like EndNote, Zotero, or Reference Finder by AcademicHelp, to quickly and easily find and format needed articles, books, research papers, etc.

How do you identify a reference?

You can identify a reference by looking for key elements such as the author(s) who wrote the work, the title of the work (whether it's an article, book, or chapter), the publication date, the source where the work was published (such as the name of the journal or book), and for journal articles, the volume and issue number. Additionally, for articles and book chapters, you should note the range of pages where the work can be found. If the reference is available online, you may also find a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) or a URL.

What website can find references?

Several websites can help you find references for your research. For example, Google Scholar is a freely accessible search engine that indexes scholarly articles, theses, books, and conference papers. PubMed is another free search engine that primarily accesses the MEDLINE database of references and abstracts on life sciences and biomedical topics. Scopus is also good, as it is a multidisciplinary database of peer-reviewed literature. However, note that it is subscription-based. If you are looking for a free solution, that can find any source in seconds and then help you format them properly, then AcademicHelp’s Source Finder is the best fit for you.

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Free Reference Generator

Properly cited paper is your key to success. But referencing is not as easy as 123. There are different formats and different requirements. Luckily, you’ve got a reference generator by Essay.Tools which will do everything automatically. You don’t have to spend hours thoroughly examining each comma and bracket. Just enter the necessary data into the fields below and get the reference you need.

Before you start choose one of the formats (MLA, APA or Chicago) and the type of source you want to cite. The tool will offer you the fields which are necessary to fill in. After you provide the information on the source, you can preview the citation to check it for mistakes and spelling before you click done. Then the citation will be added to the list and you can proceed to the next one. When you finish working with the tool you will have the list of citations formatted according to the academic standards.

1. Select source

2. enter information, 3. view citations, 4. your citations.

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REFERENCE FINDER

Find relevant information like your own rough draft from among the 12,871 reports available for free at NAP.edu. Copy and paste up to 8 pages of content from some other source: an outside article, a rough draft of your own, etc., then select "Find Relevant Reports".

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What is the Reference Finder?

Citation widget

Add our smart citation widget to your website in a few easy steps, customize your citation widget:.

Style: MLA Chicago APA

"Page title". Website name. Web. 7 Apr. 2024. <https://your_domain.com>.

Website name. "Page title." Accessed 7 Apr. 2024. https://your_domain.com.

Page title. (n.d.). Website name. Retrieved 7 Apr. 2024, from https://your_domain.com.

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• How does it work? Our AI algorithms analyze the text and identify key themes and concepts. Then, it searches through our vast data set to find relevant and reliable sources to support those themes. This makes it easy for you to find the information you need to back up your work.
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• Is it easy to use? Yes, our service is very user-friendly. Simply upload your text, and our AI will take care of the rest. You can then easily sort and filter through the sources it finds to find the information you need.
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What is Cite This For Me’s APA Reference Generator?

Cite This For Me’s open-access reference generator is an automated citation machine that turns any of your sources into references in just a click. Using a bibliography generator helps students to integrate referencing into their research and writing routine; turning a time-consuming ordeal into a simple task.

A referencing generator is essentially a citation machine that accesses information from across the web, drawing the relevant information into a fully-formatted bibliography that clearly presents all of the sources that have contributed to your work.

If you don’t know how to reference a website correctly, or have a fast-approaching deadline, Cite This For Me’s accurate and intuitive reference generator will lend you the confidence to realise your full academic potential. In order to get a grade that reflects all your hard work, your references must be accurate and complete. Using a bibliography generator not only saves you time but also ensures that you don’t lose valuable marks on your assignment.

Not sure how to write a bibliography, what in-text referencing is, or just want to find out more about Cite This For Me’s reference generator? This guide outlines everything you need to know to equip yourself with the know-how and confidence to research and cite a wide range of diverse sources in your work.

Why Do I Need To Reference?

Simply put, referencing is the citing of sources used in essays, articles, research, conferences etc. When another source contributes to your work, you have to give the original owner the appropriate credit. After all, you wouldn’t steal someone else’s possessions so why would you steal their ideas?

Regardless of whether you are referencing a website, an article or a podcast, any factual material or ideas you take from another source must be acknowledged in a reference unless it is common knowledge (e.g. The Second World War started in 1939). Failing to credit all of your sources, even when you’ve paraphrased or completely reworded the information, is plagiarism. Plagiarising will result in disciplinary action, which can range from losing precious marks on your assignment to expulsion from your university.

What’s more, attributing your research infuses credibility and authority into your work, both by supporting your own ideas and by demonstrating the breadth of your research. For many students, crediting sources can be a confusing and tedious process, but it’s a surefire way to improve the quality of your work so it’s essential to get it right. Luckily for you, using Cite This For Me’s reference generator makes creating accurate references easier than ever, leaving more time for you to excel in your studies.

In summary, the citing process serves three main functions:

• To validate the statements and conclusions in your work by providing directions to other sound sources that support and verify them.
• To help your readers locate, read and check your sources, as well as establishing their contribution to your work.
• To give credit to the original author and hence avoid committing intellectual property theft (known as ‘plagiarism’ in academia).

How Do I Cite My Sources With The Cite This For Me Referencing Generator?

Cite This For Me’s reference generator is the most accurate citation machine available, so whether you’re not sure how to format in-text referencing or you don’t know how to write a bibliography, this bibliography generator will solve all of your citing needs.

Crediting your source material with a bibliography maker doesn’t just prevent you from losing valuable marks for plagiarism, it also provides all of the information to help your reader find for themselves the book, article, or other item you are citing. The accessible interface of the reference generator makes it easy for you to identify the source you have used – simply enter its unique identifier into the citation machine search bar. If this information is not available you can search for the title or author instead, and then select from the search results that appear below the reference generator.

Don’t know how to reference a website? The good news is that by using tools such as Cite This For Me’s reference generator, which help you work smarter, you don’t need to limit your research to sources that are traditional to cite. In fact, there are no limits to what you can cite with this bibliography maker, whether you want to reference a website, a YouTube video or a tweet.

To use the reference generator, simply:

• Select your style from Harvard, APA and many more*
• Choose the type of source you would like to cite (e.g. website, book, journal, video)
• Enter the URL , DOI , ISBN , title, or other unique source information to find your source
• Click the ‘Cite’ button on the reference generator
• Copy your new citation straight from the referencing generator into your bibliography
• Repeat for each source that has contributed to your work.

*If you require another style for your paper, essay or other academic work, you can select from over 1,000 styles by creating a free Cite This For Me account.

Once you have created your Cite This For Me account you will be able to use the reference generator to create multiple references and save them into a project. Use the highly-rated iOS or Android apps to generate references in a flash with your smartphone camera, export your complete bibliography in one go, and much more.

What Will The Reference Generator Create For Me?

Cite This For Me’s reference generator will create your reference in two parts; an in-text citation and a full reference to be copied straight into your work.

The reference generator will auto-generate the correct formatting for your bibliography and in-text referencing depending on your chosen style. For instance, if you select a parenthetical style to format in-text referencing, the bibliography maker will generate an in-text citation in parentheses along with a full reference to slot into your bibliography. Likewise, if the reference generator is set to a footnote style then it will create a fully-formatted reference for your reference list, as well as a corresponding footnote to insert at the bottom of the page containing the relevant source.

Parenthetical examples:

In-text referencing example: A nation has been defined as an imagined community (Anderson, 2006).* Alternative format: Anderson (2006) defined a nation as an imagined community.

*The reference generator will create your references in the first style, but this should be edited if the author’s name already appears in the text.

Reference list example: Anderson, B. (2006). Imagined Communities. London: Verso.

What Are Citation Styles?

A citation style is a set of rules that you, as an academic writer, must follow to ensure the quality and relevance of your work. There are thousands of styles that are used in different academic institutions around the world, but in Australia the most common are Harvard and APA.

The style you need to use will depend on the preference of your lecturer, discipline or academic institution – so if you’re unsure which style you should be using, consult your department and follow their guidelines exactly, as this is what you’ll be evaluated on when it comes to marking. You can also find your university’s style by logging into your Cite This For Me account and setting your institution in ‘My Profile’.

Citing isn’t just there to guard against plagiarism – presenting your research in a clear and consistent way eases the reader’s comprehension. Each style has a different set of rules for formatting the page, in-text referencing and your reference list. Be sure to adhere to formatting rules such as font type, font size and line spacing to ensure that your work is easily legible. Furthermore, if your work is published as part of an anthology or collected works, each entry will need to be presented in the same style to maintain uniformity throughout. Even when using a citation machine, it is important to make sure that you don’t jump from one style to another, so follow the rules carefully to ensure your reference list and bibliography are both accurate and complete.

If you’re unsure about how to reference and need a hand with your in-text referencing or reference list, why not try Cite This For Me’s reference generator? It’s the quickest and easiest way to cite any source, in any style. The reference generator above will create your citations in the Harvard style as standard, but the bibliography maker can also generate fully-formatted references in over 1,000 styles – including university variations of each style. So, whether your lecturer has asked you to adopt Harvard referencing , or your subject requires you to use APA referencing , AMA or MLA we’re sure to have the style you need. To access each style’s reference generator, simply go to Cite This For Me’s website to create your free Cite This For Me account and search for your specific style.

How Do I Format A Reference List Or Bibliography?

Drawing on a wide range of sources greatly enhances the quality of your work, and reading above and beyond your recommended reading list – and then using these sources to support your own thesis – is an excellent way to impress your reader. As well as in-text referencing, a clearly presented reference list and bibliography demonstrate the lengths you have gone to in researching your chosen topic.

Typically, a reference list starts on a new page at the end of the main body of text and includes a complete list of the sources you have actually cited in your paper. This list should contain all the information needed for the reader to locate the original source of the information, quote or statistic that directly contributed to your work. On the other hand, a bibliography is a comprehensive list of all the material you may have consulted throughout your research and writing process. Both provide the necessary information for readers to retrieve and check the sources cited in your work.

Each style’s guidelines will define the terminology of ‘reference list’ and ‘bibliography’, as well as providing formatting guidelines for font, line spacing and page indentations. In addition, it will instruct you on how to order each list – this will usually be either alphabetical or chronological (meaning the order that these sources appear in your work). Even if you’ve used a bibliography generator, be sure to check that you have formatted your whole paper according to your style’s formatting guidelines before submitting your work.

Sound complicated? Citing has never been so easy. If you don’t know how to write a bibliography, Cite This For Me’s bibliography generator will automatically generate fully-formatted references for your reference list and bibliography in your chosen style. Sign in to your Cite This For Me account to save and export your bibliography.

How Do References Actually Work?

Although the bibliography maker will cite your sources for you in record time, it is still useful to understand how a reference generator works behind the scenes. Understanding how a citation machine actually generates references will greatly increase the quality of your work.

As well as saving you time with its referencing generator, Cite This For Me provides the learning resources to help you fully understand the citing process and the benefits of adopting great referencing standards.

The referencing process:

• Find a book, journal, website or other source that will contribute to your work
• Save the quote, image, data or other information that you will use in your work
• Save the source information that enables you to find it again (i.e. URL, ISBN, DOI etc.)
• Format the source information into a reference
• Copy and paste the citation into the body of the text
• Export or copy and paste the fully-formatted reference into your bibliography
• Repeat for each source that contributes to your work

Manage all your references in one place

Create projects, add notes, cite directly from the browser and scan books’ barcodes with a mobile app.

Sign up to Cite This For Me – the ultimate reference management tool.

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• Knowledge Base
• Working with sources

How to Find Sources | Scholarly Articles, Books, Etc.

Published on June 13, 2022 by Eoghan Ryan . Revised on May 31, 2023.

It’s important to know how to find relevant sources when writing a  research paper , literature review , or systematic review .

The types of sources you need will depend on the stage you are at in the research process , but all sources that you use should be credible , up to date, and relevant to your research topic.

There are three main places to look for sources to use in your research:

Research databases

• Your institution’s library
• Other online resources

Table of contents

Library resources, other online sources, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about finding sources.

You can search for scholarly sources online using databases and search engines like Google Scholar . These provide a range of search functions that can help you to find the most relevant sources.

If you are searching for a specific article or book, include the title or the author’s name. Alternatively, if you’re just looking for sources related to your research problem , you can search using keywords. In this case, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the scope of your project and of the most relevant keywords.

Databases can be general (interdisciplinary) or subject-specific.

• You can use subject-specific databases to ensure that the results are relevant to your field.
• When using a general database or search engine, you can still filter results by selecting specific subjects or disciplines.

Example: JSTOR discipline search filter

Check the table below to find a database that’s relevant to your research.

Google Scholar

To get started, you might also try Google Scholar , an academic search engine that can help you find relevant books and articles. Its “Cited by” function lets you see the number of times a source has been cited. This can tell you something about a source’s credibility and importance to the field.

Example: Google Scholar “Cited by” function

Boolean operators

Boolean operators can also help to narrow or expand your search.

Boolean operators are words and symbols like AND , OR , and NOT that you can use to include or exclude keywords to refine your results. For example, a search for “Nietzsche NOT nihilism” will provide results that include the word “Nietzsche” but exclude results that contain the word “nihilism.”

Many databases and search engines have an advanced search function that allows you to refine results in a similar way without typing the Boolean operators manually.

Example: Project Muse advanced search

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You can find helpful print sources in your institution’s library. These include:

• Journal articles
• Encyclopedias
• Newspapers and magazines

Make sure that the sources you consult are appropriate to your research.

You can find these sources using your institution’s library database. This will allow you to explore the library’s catalog and to search relevant keywords. You can refine your results using Boolean operators .

Once you have found a relevant print source in the library:

• Consider what books are beside it. This can be a great way to find related sources, especially when you’ve found a secondary or tertiary source instead of a primary source .
• Consult the index and bibliography to find the bibliographic information of other relevant sources.

You can consult popular online sources to learn more about your topic. These include:

• Crowdsourced encyclopedias like Wikipedia

You can find these sources using search engines. To refine your search, use Boolean operators in combination with relevant keywords.

However, exercise caution when using online sources. Consider what kinds of sources are appropriate for your research and make sure the sites are credible .

Look for sites with trusted domain extensions:

• URLs that end with .edu are educational resources.
• URLs that end with .gov are government-related resources.
• DOIs often indicate that an article is published in a peer-reviewed , scientific article.

Other sites can still be used, but you should evaluate them carefully and consider alternatives.

If you want to know more about ChatGPT, AI tools , citation , and plagiarism , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• ChatGPT vs human editor
• ChatGPT citations
• Is ChatGPT trustworthy?
• Using ChatGPT for your studies
• What is ChatGPT?
• Chicago style
• Paraphrasing

 Plagiarism

• Types of plagiarism
• Self-plagiarism
• Avoiding plagiarism
• Academic integrity
• Consequences of plagiarism
• Common knowledge

You can find sources online using databases and search engines like Google Scholar . Use Boolean operators or advanced search functions to narrow or expand your search.

For print sources, you can use your institution’s library database. This will allow you to explore the library’s catalog and to search relevant keywords.

It is important to find credible sources and use those that you can be sure are sufficiently scholarly .

• Consult your institute’s library to find out what books, journals, research databases, and other types of sources they provide access to.
• Look for books published by respected academic publishing houses and university presses, as these are typically considered trustworthy sources.
• Look for journals that use a peer review process. This means that experts in the field assess the quality and credibility of an article before it is published.

When searching for sources in databases, think of specific keywords that are relevant to your topic , and consider variations on them or synonyms that might be relevant.

Once you have a clear idea of your research parameters and key terms, choose a database that is relevant to your research (e.g., Medline, JSTOR, Project MUSE).

Find out if the database has a “subject search” option. This can help to refine your search. Use Boolean operators to combine your keywords, exclude specific search terms, and search exact phrases to find the most relevant sources.

There are many types of sources commonly used in research. These include:

You’ll likely use a variety of these sources throughout the research process , and the kinds of sources you use will depend on your research topic and goals.

Scholarly sources are written by experts in their field and are typically subjected to peer review . They are intended for a scholarly audience, include a full bibliography, and use scholarly or technical language. For these reasons, they are typically considered credible sources .

Popular sources like magazines and news articles are typically written by journalists. These types of sources usually don’t include a bibliography and are written for a popular, rather than academic, audience. They are not always reliable and may be written from a biased or uninformed perspective, but they can still be cited in some contexts.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Ryan, E. (2023, May 31). How to Find Sources | Scholarly Articles, Books, Etc.. Scribbr. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/finding-sources/

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