As you create your list of cited sources, it is helpful to know what type of information you need to write down. Here is a citation from a periodical database with each of its important parts labeled.

Formats for citing are consistent so that other researchers may quickly identify the sources you used and easily locate them. To find the guidelines for a particular format you will need to look in a style manual. Your instructor will probably recommend a particular style manual such as APA, MLA or Chicago Manual of Style. Each style manual format includes the same basic parts of that citation, but may organize them slightly differently.