citation guidelines

[HandD42]

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Hi guys,
Kind of a random question but what does everyone use for citation guidelines/reference for their science papers/projects. I am taking a micro class and have to write a paper on rabies but it has been so long since my undergrad I can't remember what convention I used to use. Specifically wondering how websites are cited as I am using lots of info from the cdc's website.

Figured someone out there would know.

PS My prof just said to cite references but did not give a preference on how to do that.

 

[Ben and Me]

Here is a website from my undergrad re: different citation styles.

http://library.wlu.edu/guides/science/citations.asp

I remember hearing in a class taught by a microbiologist that there is a preferred style recommended by the American Society of Microbiologists (or something like that). Unfortunately, I don't have the handout anymore w/ the specific guidelines for that citation style.

I think if you just went w/ the basic biology recommendations though, you should be okay. All the same info is still there regardless of citation style--stuff is just in a different format. If he didn't specify, he can't fault you.

 

[badcats]

The purdue owl website has some pretty good stuff too but I can't remember if it is MLA format only or not. Still might be worth checking out though.

 

[nyanko]

Style has always depended on the journal or class preference as far as I know, but website citations are always sticky. You can't find that information in any other primary source?

The only time I really cite websites is like, if I'm using the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus for something, or some other web based tool with no peer reviewed primary source.

 

[Ben and Me]

I think technically you don't have to cite stuff like what you found at the CDC because it is probably considered "common knowledge." From what I remember, common knowledge is defined as anything that can be found in >3 reputable sources.

I've always erred on the side of caution, though.

Most scientific citation protocols are probably going to assume that you're only citing primary and review literature -- not websites, but articles in journals. So, they may not even have guidelines for website listings.

I know that MLA (English-class style citations) does though, so you could always use that. You could also follow MLA guidelines for your primary literature. It's not technically correct, but I think as long as you're consistent and have all the info in there so that your professor could find your sources if needed, you should be okay. Of course, some professors are real sticklers for stuff like that.

MLA citation guidelines can be found at Purdue's OWL website, as mentioned above.

Why don't you email your professor and ask him if he has a preference.