How to Cite Sources
Online Resources
Books at McQuade
Short Guide to Writing about Biology by ISBN: 9780205075072
A Student Handbook for Writing in Biology by ISBN: 1464150761
Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences by ISBN: 9780312649715
CSE Formatting & Citations
The standard citation style guide book for the natural and physical sciences is the Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Author, Editors and Publishers, 7th edition, 2006. The CSE (Council of Science Editors), formerly the CBE (Council of Biology Editors), publishes the manual. We commonly refer to it as "the CSE Manual".
The biology department at IRSC recommends CSE format for papers written in the biological sciences.
Two types of citations are included in most research papers: citations within the text of the document and a list of reference citations at the end of the paper.
In-Text Citations:
The CSE Manual describes 3 different systems for citing within the text of a document: citation-sequence, name-year, and citation-name. IRSC instructors recommend name-year. [Note: The manual favors the citation-name system, so examples in the book usually follow that format.
Reference Citations:
The sources you use in your work are included as a separate list at the end of the paper, much like APA or MLA style. The CSE Manual suggests using the title, "End References", for the list.
CSE Examples
Begin a citation to Internet material by first locating all of the information needed to cite it as if it were a print document. Most difficulties arise when citing something that is not a book or article.
Here are some general rules for citing portions of websites:
If the portion being referenced has no author other than the author of the website itself :
- Begin the reference by citing the homepage.
- Give the title of the portion followed by a semicolon and space.
- Provide the dates of the portion (date of publication) followed by space and date of citation within square brackets.
- End date with semicolon and space followed by the extent and a period.
- The note follows with URL and DOI or other information.
If an Internet document displays neither page numbers nor document numbers, the extent or length should be included (29.3.7.13.10).
Place the medium designator, [Internet], after the title of the book, the title of the journal, magazine or newspaper, or the title of the website.
The CSE Manual describes 3 different systems for citing within the text of a document: citation-sequence, name-year, and citation-name. IRSC instructors recommend name-year. [Note: The manual favors the citation-name system, so examples in the book usually follow that format.
Formatting
The basic components of an original research article are introduction, methods, results, and discussion. CSE does not specify a format for the body of a college paper, so ask your instructor for clarification. The following guidelines are suggested:
Cover page
- Include paper title and your name, and other pertinent information (centered).
- Omit a header and page number on the cover page.
Body of the paper or report
- Add a header after the cover page. The header should contain the title and page number (starting with 2).
- Double space the entire paper and use 1 inch margins.
- If you use sections like "Abstract, Introduction, Discussions", center the section title on the page.
- Start your "End References" section on a new page.
Typography
- Typography is not prescribed in the CSE Manual.
- McQuade librarians suggest using 12-point Times New Roman font.
Line Spacing & Margins
- Use double-spacing throughout the entire paper.
- Leave 1 in. margins on top, bottom, and sides.
