Chicago Author-Date: Citing Web Resources
http://www.sfcollege.edu/library/?section=tutorials/chicago_authordate_web
This video tutorial will demonstrate how to cite Web resources using the Chicago author-date citation style.
Example 1: A Web Page
For the first example, you will learn how to cite a Web page.
The first step is to identify the author of the Web page. While resources are often written by specific people, sometimes an entire organization is the author. In this case, since the author is listed as Mayo Clinic Staff, and not a specific person, Mayo Clinic is the author.
To list a specific author, write the last name, a comma, and the first and/or middle names, followed by a period. For corporate authors, however, simply list the name of the organization, capitalizing all important words.
Example:
Mayo Clinic.
Next, identify when this Web page was published. Dates are usually found near the top or the bottom of the page. Do not use a copyright date. In this case, the date is 2013.
The date is listed after the author, followed by a period. Only the year is required.
Example:
Mayo Clinic. 2013.
Next, identify the title of the Web page. The title will usually be above the text, in a larger size font. In this case, the title is Stem Cell Transplant.
The title of the page comes after the date, in quotation marks. The title has a period at the end.
Example:
Mayo Clinic. 2013. “Stem Cell Transplant.”
Next, identify the title of the website that this page is a part of. In this case, the website is Mayo Clinic. If you are having trouble locating the name of the website, try looking at the URL.
The title of the website is listed after the Web page title, with a period at the end.
Example:
Mayo Clinic. 2013. “Stem Cell Transplant.” Mayo Clinic.
The last information you need is the URL or Web address. You can find this in the address bar at the top of the browser.
Type or paste the URL after the website title. You do not need to include a period at the end. This completes your citation.
Example:
Mayo Clinic. 2013. “Stem Cell Transplant.” Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/stem-cell-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/ART-20048117?p=1
If you refer to a work in your paper, either by directly quoting, paraphrasing, or by referring to main ideas, you will need to include an in-text parenthetical citation. There are several ways to do this. In this example, a signal phrase is used to introduce a direct quote. Note that the author’s name is given in the text, and the publication date is enclosed in parentheses at the end of the sentence. Unless there are specific page numbers or numbered paragraphs, you should not include them in an in-text citation.
Example:
The Mayo Clinic states that “stem cells may have the potential to be grown to become new tissue for use in transplant and regenerative medicine” (2013).
Example 2: Missing Information
Sometimes a Web page may not provide all of the information you need for a citation. This example shows how to cite a Web page with no author and no date.
Examining this page closely does not reveal an author. Authors may be listed at the top, bottom, in the footer, or on an About or Contact Us page. An organization or entity may also serve as an author. In this case, however, no author is given. Be wary of using information that does not have an author, since you cannot verify its source.
Because there is no author, the citation will begin with the title. The title of this page is Understanding Affirmative Action in the Workplace.
List the title of the Web page in quotation marks, capitalizing all important words. End the title with a period.
Example:
“Understanding Affirmative Action in the Workplace.”
Next, you need to identify the date. Careful examination of the Web page does not reveal a date.
Because there is no given date, type the current year as the date. This serves as an access date.
Example:
“Understanding Affirmative Action in the Workplace.” 2015.
Next, identify the website. The title of this website is Affirmative Action Pros and Cons.
List the website title, followed by a period.
Example:
“Understanding Affirmative Action in the Workplace.” 2015. Affirmative Action Pros and Cons.
The last piece of information you need is the URL of the Web page.
Type the word Accessed and give the month and day you accessed this Web page, followed by a period. Then, type or paste the URL. This completes the citation.
Example:
“Understanding Affirmative Action in the Workplace.” 2015. Affirmative Action Pros and Cons. Accessed August 13. http://www.affirmativeactionprosandcons.net/
understanding-affirmative-action-in-the-workplace/
For in-text citations with no author, give the first few words (up to 4) of the title in quotation marks, capitalizing major words.
Example:
“Many are of the belief that affirmative action in the workplace is in itself based upon a policy of discrimination…” (“Understanding Affirmative Action” 2015).
For more examples and additional situations you may encounter when citing Web resources, visit the Santa Fe Library’s Chicago Citations research guide. This can be found by visiting the library’s website, clicking Guides > Research Guides and then Chicago Citations. Choose the Author-Date link in the small green bar.
This concludes the video tutorial on citing Web resources using Chicago author-date. If you still have questions, please contact a librarian.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Questions? Ask a Librarian!
352-395-5409
sfcollege.edu/library
For more tutorials see: sfcollege.edu/library/?section=tutorials