Cite Your Sources: Find Your Information

Where Do I Find All This Information?

Sometimes students are confused about where to look to find the information they need to create citations and references. That's understandable since the information can appear in varying places depending on the type of source you are using. Browse this page for assistance.

When inputting information into your citations and references, just remember:

• A citation appears in the text of your paper.
• A reference appears in a footnote, endnote, or bibliographic page.
• References contain more information than citations.
• If you find all of the reference information, it will contain the information you need for your citation.

MCC's Library Materials

You can explore all of MCC's library materials by using the search tool on the library's homepage. (Click the image below to visit the homepage.)

When you use the search tool to find sources, it's easy to retrieve the information required for your citations and references. The library's records already contain the information, and the system will provide you with a complete reference if you use the link on the search results page:

Step 1: Look for the "Cite" button in the results list (highlighted in yellow in the image below):

Step 2: Select the "Cite" button to open the citation pop-up window. Choose the appropriate citation style from the drop-down menu (based on the style your instructor assigned):

Step 3: After your citation appears, select the "Copy Citation" button. You can then paste the reference into your document.

Step 4: Before or after pasting the reference into your document, check it for errors, and correct any that you find. As an example, in the APA citation below, "COVID-19" is inaccurately written (since it should be all capital letters) and the page numbers are incorrect:

Note: If the URL is missing, return to the search results page and select the "Share" button (located to the right of the "Cite" button). Then select the "Copy Link" option and paste the URL into your reference.

If you suspect that other information is missing or inaccurate, but you are uncertain, use the "Chat with a Librarian" link on the MCC Library's homepage. Librarians are available 24 hours a day to provide you with live research and citation assistance.

Print Books

All of the reference information you need is located within a print book. The list below will help you find it:

• Title and Authors: Find this information on the cover or title page.
• Publication Date: Find this information on the copyright page (on the back of the title page or near it)
• Publisher: Find this information on the title page or copyright page.
• Place of Publication: Find this information on the title page or copyright page.
• Page Numbers: Find this information at the top or bottom of the pages or section you are citing. If you are citing the entire book, you will not need page numbers unless you are making a direct quote.
• Edition: Find this information on the title or copyright page (if the book is a specific edition)
• Volume and Series Information: Find this information on the title or copyright page (if the book is part of a series or multi-volume set)
• Editors or Translators: Find this information on the title or copyright page (if the book was made with editors or translators)

Note: Be careful if you plan to retrieve this information online, as you may accidentally retrieve the information for a different edition, especially if the book has been in print a long time.

Websites

Most of the reference information you need is located on a webpage. The list below will help you find it:

• Webpage Title: Find this information at the top of the browser window or in the tab at the top of your browser. 
• Page, Section, or Article Title: Find this information at the top of the page, section, or article (if one exists).
• Authors (Individual or Organization): Find this information at the top or bottom of the article or webpage (in most cases). 
• Publication Date: Find this information at the top or bottom of the article or webpage (in most cases). 
• URL: Find this information in the browser bar of your Internet app.
• Website Name: Find this information on the top of the page (in most instances).
• Access Date: Find this information on your calendar. Just make a note of the date when you accessed the page.
• Publication Details:  Some webpages provide additional publication details, such as the publisher name, publisher city, volume, or issue--especially if the website includes information from scholarly articles. Find this information in various locations, especially near the bottom of the article or webpage.
• DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or Permalink: Some webpages, especially those that include information from scholarly articles, may have a DOI or permalink. Look for a "Cite" or "Export" option to find this information. Find this in information various locations, especially near the top or bottom of the article or webpage.

Note: You will not necessarily find all of this information on every webpage. In some instances, it's fine if you leave it out. In other instances, you will need to know what to write in for the missing information. Consult your style guide or use the "Chat with a Librarian" link on the MCC Library's homepage for assistance. Librarians are available 24 hours a day.

Print Journals or Magazines

All of the reference information you need is located in a journal or magazine. The list below will help you find it:

• Journal or Magazine Title: Find this information on the cover or title page. It may also appear at the top of some pages of the journal or magazine.
• Article Title: Find this information at the top of the article or a headline.
• Authors: Find this information at the top or bottom of the article. It may also appear in the table of contents (if one exists).
• Publication Date: Find this information on the cover, title page, or at the top or bottom of an article.
• Volume and Issue Number: Find this information on the cover or title page. Sometimes it is printed on the last page of a magazine.
• Page Numbers: Find this information on the pages that contain the article you are citing or in the table of contents. 
• Additional Publication Details: Find information such as subheadings, section titles, or edition numbers (if they exist) near the top or bottom of the article or section, or on the cover of title page.

Note: Journals should contain all of the information you need to create a reference, but magazines may not. In some instances, it's fine if you leave it out. In other instances, you will need to know what to write in for the missing information. Consult your style guide or use the "Chat with a Librarian" link on the MCC Library's homepage for assistance. Librarians are available 24 hours a day.

Other Sources

The location of citation information for other sources may vary:

Audio Recordings, Films, or Television

• Find information on the physical copy of the recorded material or on its case, on the website or streaming site where you retrieved the recording, or in the credits that appear before or after the recording.

Video Games

• Find information on the physical copy of the game or on its case, on the website or streaming site where you retrieved the game, or in the credits that appear before or after gameplay.

Photography or Art

• Find information in the location where you retrieve or view the image, whether that is a book, museum, or website.