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Datasets and Statistics

The guide links you to resources about datasets and statistics.

How to Cite Datasets in MLA Style

MLA (7th edition)
For a complete description of citation guidelines refere to the MLA Handbook for Writer's of Research Papers, 7th edition (2009).

Datasets

Since MLA has not developed a specific citation style for datasets, the general rules for citing a web document may be applied. For web publications, add date of access. The URL is optional so check with your professor to see if he/she wants you to include it.

Basic form:

Author Last Name, First Name. Title of data set. (Version). Publisher location: Publisher name, Date of publication. Medium of publication. Date accessed. doi/url of data

Example:

Pew Hispanic Center.  Changing channels and crisscrossing cultures: A survey of Latinos on the news media. (Data file and code book). Washington, DC: Pew Research Center, 2004. Web. 19 Sep 2011. <http://pewhispanic.org/datasets/signup.php?DatasetID=5>

How to Cite Statistics in MLA Style

MLA (7th edition)
For a complete description of citation guidelines refere to the MLA Handbook for Writer's of Research Papers, 7th edition (2009).

MLA does not provide specific information on how to cite a statistical table, but use this general format adapted from the rules for citing a work in an anthology, an article in a reference work, and guidelines for citing electronic materials.

Basic form:

Author. "Title of entry." Title of book. Edition. Ed. Editor's name(s). Place of publication: Publisher, Year. Page range. Medium of publication.

For web publications, add date of access. The URL is optional so check with your professor to see if he/she wants you to include it.

Example:

American Veterinary Medical Association. "Table 1204: Household Pet Ownership: 2006." Statistical Abstract of the United States. 129th ed. Ed. U.S. Census Bureau. Washington D.C.: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010. Web. 14 July 2010. <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s1204.pdf>.