Chicago Author-Date Style for College Students and Researchers
The Chicago Manual of Style outlines two methods for citing sources: notes and bibliography and author-date. The notes and bibliography style is typically used in the humanities, while the author-date style is common in the sciences and social sciences. This article will explain the author-date system in detail, helping students and researchers manage their citations easily.
What Is Chicago Author-Date Style?
In the author-date style, in-text citations include the author's last name, the publication year, and, if necessary, a specific page number. These citations are directly linked to detailed entries in the reference list at the end of the document. This system helps readers easily find the sources used in the text.
The author-date system is not just about following a style guide; it enhances the readability and credibility of your work. By providing essential information right in the text, you help your readers follow your research trail without interrupting the flow of your writing. Readers can also dive deeper into your topic by using the reference list to look into your sources in more detail.
This method is prevalent in the sciences and social sciences for its efficiency and clarity. It allows researchers to quickly see how recent and relevant the sources are, which is crucial in fields where knowledge is constantly evolving.
In-Text Citations: The Basics
In-text citations in the Chicago author-date style are placed within parentheses and inserted into the text where the source is referenced. Here's how to do it:
- Basic format: (Author Year)
- Example: (Ferguson 2012)
When referencing a specific part of a text, such as when quoting or paraphrasing, include the page number after the year, separated by a comma:
- Specific part: (Author Year, Page Number)
- Example: (Ferguson 2012, 45–46)
These citations usually appear at the end of a clause or sentence, preceding any concluding punctuation. If multiple sources are cited at the same point, they should be included in the same set of parentheses and separated by semicolons:
- Multiple sources: (Ferguson 2012; Johnson 2015; Roberts 2018)
When the author's name is mentioned in the text, only the year (and page number, if applicable) needs to be included in parentheses immediately following the name:
- Author mentioned in text: Ferguson (2012) argues...
- Quoting with author in text: Ferguson (2012, 31) states, "..."
These guidelines help you clearly and efficiently cite sources in your text, making it easy for readers to follow your research.
Creating a Reference List
The reference list is an essential component of the author-date style, providing complete details for all sources cited in the text. Each entry starts with the author's last name and the publication year, allowing readers to find the corresponding in-text citation easily.
General Formatting Rules
In Chicago style, there are specific general formatting rules for creating a reference list. These are:
- Title: The reference list is typically titled "References" or "Works Cited," centered at the top of the page.
- Alphabetization: Entries in the reference list are alphabetized by the author's last name. If there is no author, alphabetize by the title of the work (disregarding "A," "An," or "The" at the beginning).
- Spacing: The reference list is typically single-spaced, with a blank line between each entry.
- Indentation: Use a hanging indent for each entry that extends to more than one line. This means that the first line of each entry is flush with the left margin, while subsequent lines are indented.
Here’s an example of a typical reference list entry for a book:
• Pfaff, Donald. 2017. How the Vertebrate Brain Regulates Behavior. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Specific Formats for Different Source Types
In the Chicago author-date system, different types of sources require slightly different formats for both in-text citations and reference list entries. Books typically include the author’s name, publication year, title, and publisher. Journal article citations include the author’s name, year, article title, journal name, volume and issue numbers, and pages. For websites, include the author’s name (if available), publication date, title of the webpage, website name, and URL. Each source type has specific guidelines to ensure all necessary information is clearly presented, helping readers find and verify your references easily.
Books
Format: Author Last Name, First Name. Year. Title. Edition. Place of Publication: Publisher. URL.
ExampleMcGuire, Ian. 2016. The North Water. London: Simon & Schuster.
Book Chapters
Format: Author Last Name, First Name. Year. “Chapter Title.” In Book Title, edited by Editor First Name Last Name, Page Range. Place of Publication: Publisher.
ExamplePatel, Raj. 2021. "Agricultural Innovations in the 21st Century." In Advances in Farming, edited by Sarah Green, 101-123. San Francisco: Harvest Publishers.
Journal Articles
Format: Author Last Name, First Name. Year. “Article Title.” Journal Name Volume, Issue Number (Publication Date): Page Range. DOI or URL.
ExampleMiller, Sarah. 2021. “Advancements in Renewable Energy.” Energy Journal 45, no. 3 (July): 101-120. https://doi.org/10.1234/56789.
Websites
Format: Author Last Name, First Name. Year. “Page Title.” Website Name. Access/revision date. URL.
ExampleBrown, Tina. 2019. “The Future of Technology.” Tech Innovations. Accessed January 5, 2020. https://www.techinnovations.com/future.
Variations in Chicago Author-Date Citations
Certain scenarios require adjustments to the standard citation format, such as when dealing with multiple authors, multiple works by the same author in one year, or missing information.
Multiple Authors
When citing a source with multiple authors, list their names in the order they appear in the source:
- Two authors: (Grazer and Fishman 2015)
- Three authors: (Berkman, Bauer, and Nold 2011)
- Four or more authors: (Johnson et al. 2016)
You can list up to ten authors in the reference list. If there are more than ten authors, list the first seven followed by “et al.”
Example with multiple authors:Gmuca, Natalia V., Linnea E. Pearson, Jennifer M. Burns, and Heather E. M. Liwanag. 2015. “The Fat and the Furriest: Morphological Changes in Harp Seal Fur with Ontogeny.” Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 88, no. 2 (March/April): 158–66.
Multiple Works by the Same Author in One Year
If you cite multiple works by the same author published in the same year, distinguish them by adding a letter after the year in both the in-text citations and the reference list:
In-text:
(Roberts 2012a),
(Roberts 2012b)
Reference list:
Jackson, Emily. 2012a. “Cancer Stem Cells.” Science Journal 2, no. 1 (September): 211–37. [DOI Link]
Jackson, Emily. 2012b. Molecular Physiology of Neurons. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Citing Sources with Missing Information
If a source lacks certain citation details, adapt the format as follows:
-
No Publication Date
In-text:
(Burnham n.d.)
Reference list:
Burnham, Robert. n.d. Chimpanzees and Human Evolution. New York: Norton. -
No Author
If the title is long, you should use a shortened version.
In-text:
(Chimpanzees and Human Evolution 2012)
Reference list:
Chimpanzees and Human Evolution: In-Depth Exploration of Our Closest Relatives. 2012. New York: Norton. -
Anonymous Work
In-text:
(Anonymous 2011)
Reference list:
Anonymous. 2011. Unknown Authors in Literature. Boston: Writers Press.
Tools and Resources for Chicago Author-Date Style
Using the right tools can make creating citations much easier. Citation Generator is helpful as it automates the formatting process, making sure each citation follows Chicago style guidelines accurately.
Conclusion
The Chicago author-date style is a versatile and widely accepted method for citing sources in academic writing, particularly in the sciences and social sciences. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, university students and researchers can effectively manage their citations, improving the clarity and credibility of their work. Remember, accurate citations not only improve the quality of your academic writing but also allow readers to explore the original sources further.