Web Citations

Dr. Faith A. Morrison
15 October 2007

Correct citation of sources is essential in writing, both from the point of view of giving proper credit where it is deserved and of allowing others to double check your citations.  Material obtained from the web presents a problem in this area, since the web changes from day-to-day, or even from minute-to-minute.

If at all possible citations should be made to archival materials.  For instance, it would not be appropriate to cite a web resource as the source for the density of water.  This type of reference should be to a published handbook.

There are circumstances where a web citation is not only necessary, it is desirable.  For these circumstances, we need to remember the purpose of the citation - to give credit and to make it possible to double-check on the information - and to make those tasks easier for those who read our materials.

With that end in mind, I recommend the following citation structures: 

Author, Title, other identifying information (e.g. institution, city, state, country), downloaded from web address on date.
Author, Title, other identifying information (e.g. institution, city, state, country), accessed at web address on date.
Author, Title, other identifying information (e.g. institution, city, state, country), accessed from web address on date by clicking first on link1 and then choosing link2.

Some examples follow.  Note that for some Java Script links, it is inappropriate to simply give the web address copied from your browser window, since pasting that address into the browser will not bring up the page.  For that type of citation, it is more appropriate to give the reader instructions on how to get to the link you found.  For any link you cite, type it into your browser first to double-check that the link will bring you back to the page that you reference.

EXAMPLES:

1.  Steffe, J.F.  "Rheological Methods in Food Process Engineering," 2nd  printing, 1996 (Freeman Press, East Lansing, MI, USA), downloaded from www.egr.msu.edu/~steffe/freebook/STEFFE.pdf on November 2, 2004.

2.  Michigan Technological University, "Facts at a Glance," Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI USA, accessed at www.mtu.edu/level4/facts/2000.htm on November 2, 2004.

3.  Houghton Elementary School, Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) Scores, 2003, accessed from http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/mischoolinfo/ by clicking on "School Names" then "H", then choosing "Houghton Elementary School - Houghton-Portage Township School"  then "Go" next to MEAP scores.