Q. Why do database citations contain errors?

Many of our databases--Ebsco, Proquest, Gale, etc.,--contain a tool that enables you to generate a citation for an article in APA, MLA, or other styles.

A database citation tool can be useful, but only as a start. You need to acquire a basic understanding of the citation style you are using, so that you can recognize and correct the small errors that, unavoidably, crop up in citations generated by a database.

A common error in database citations is the use of all capital letters in an author's name or the article title. When you identify and correct errors like that, you'll be able to use the database citation tool effectively.

Also be careful to check citations generated by word-processing programs like Google Docs, Microsoft Word, etc.

You can see examples of properly formatted citations at:

• APA Examples
• MLA Examples
• Chicago Examples