Citation styles (MLA, APA, Chicago, CSE, etc.) are really choices to achieve a particular purpose with a particular audience. The purpose of integrating evidence and showing others how to find this evidence is slightly different in the humanities than it is in the sciences, for instances, so the methods of integrating evidence (one example is attributed summary in APA as opposed to direct quotation in MLA) are different. While it's important that you integrate sources in the style that best suits your audience (e.g. , MLA for a paper on Hamlet, APA for a psychology paper), you don't need to try to memorize all of the citation conventions. There are many books and online sources to help you to document correctly, or you can use the online tool "refworks" to help make sure you cite accurately using the conventions of a particular discipline. Click on the link below and register if you are a first-time user (the service is free for Drexel students) to begin. Once your register, you will be guided to tutorials that will help you to use the citation system to document your research.

Please click here to access Refworks.