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English 1010/1020 Research Guide: Cite Sources

This guide is intended to help students in ENGL 1010 identify and learn how to get started using library databases for academic research. The library catalog and some of our most popular multidisciplinary databases are covered.

Citation Tips

Citation Tips:

  • Keep track of your sources WHILE you are researching.  Do not try to retrace your research steps at the end of the process!
  • Create a RefWorks account to track your sources. Create a correctly formatted citation page as well as correctly formatted in-text citations.  A little work up front learning this product will save you TONS of time in multiple classes!
  • Consult reputable online sources for citation help (like the Purdue OWL site), citation LibGuides from LCCC (MLA guide / APA guide) as well as print style guides available in the library.

NOTICE:  LCCC Ludden Library is discontinuing its RefWorks account as of August 31, 2024

An alternative free citation generator/manager to explore is Zotero. Zotero, like RefWorks, allows you to generate citations and fully formatted bibliographies in a variety of formats (APA,AMA, MLA, etc.). Zotero will also generate an in-text citation for your sources. They offer a lighter web-based version, called Zoterobib that is excellent for citing journal articles. To use all of the features of the full citation manager, download Zotero from their website. 

Creating a RefWorks Account

NOTICE:  LCCC Ludden Library is discontinuing its RefWorks account as of August 31, 2024

Use RefWorks, an online citation generator, to easily create or download citations in all major formats (APA, MLA, AMA, etc.). It will also help you format in-text citations and your full works cited page/bibliography as well. Click on the arrow for directions on how to create an account and get started using the program.

RefWorks Map

Step 1: Open RefWorks.  Next, click on the Create account link.

Ref Works log in screen

Step 2: Enter your LCCC email address.  The format for your LCCC email address is shown in the picture. Your email address will be your username. Click on the blue Check button.

Email address box

Step 3: Create a password.  It must be at least 6 characters long.  Click the Sign Up button.

Create a password box

Step 4: Visit the RefWorks channel on YouTube to learn how to track your citations and create correctly formatted bibliographies and in-text citations.

Picture of RefWorks YouTube channel

RefWorks Help

Already Have a RefWorks Account?

  • Don' t forget that your username is your LCCC email address.
  • Need a refresher? Visit the RefWorks YouTube channel  or contact a librarian for assistance. 
  • Note: As with all automatically generated citations, it is important to double check the accuracy of your citations before turning in your assignment. 

Zoterobib

Zoterobib

This is a free citation generator. It will also provide in-text citation for your sources. Watch the quick video to get started using Zotero.

Remember, after Zotero generates a citation for you, click the Edit button to check:

  • the capitalization of the titles.
  • the page numbers.
  • the edition information. (edition = # ed.)