LibKey Nomad
Citing Data in Your Research
There is not yet a universally recognized way to cite data. It is best to follow the guidelines of the style you are using to the extent that it addresses data.
A dataset citation includes many of the same components of a traditional citation.
Author(s): Who created the data? an organization, individual, group of individuals
- Title: Title of the dataset or name of the study
- Date of publication
- Publisher and/or Distributor: who has made the data available
- Edition/Version
- Electronic Location or Identifier: a URL or DOI where data was found
Some other elements to consider adding to a citation:
- Date of access: When did you access or download the data?
- Format: What type of file or resource is it?
- Scale: Use when citing a map. Not usually used for datasets.
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How to Cite DataA useful guide with examples for published statistics and datasets in different styles such as APA and ASA.
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IASSIST Data Citation GuideFrom the International Association for Social Science Information Services and Technology (IASSIST), an association of data experts. Includes examples.
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"Citing Data"A great guide from MIT's Social Science Data Services
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"Citing Online Numerical Data"A guide with a helpful diagram from Lafayette's library.
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Why and How Should I Cite DataICPSR's guidelines and examples.
Example Citations
Drawn from WashU's GIS citation guide.
ArcGIS Online Basemap
Esri Canada. “Topographic/Topographie” [Web Map]. Scale Not Given. “The Community Map of Canada Vector Basemap”. April 23, 2021. https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=98652eb8458a464fa95feb9bd812b29a. (September 29, 2021).
National Map dataset
U.S. Geological Survey, 2019, National Hydrography Dataset (ver. USGS National Hydrography Dataset Best Resolution (NHD) for Hydrologic Unit (HU) 4 - 2001 (published 20191002)), accessed October 23, 2019 at URL https://www.usgs.gov/national-hydrography/access-national-hydrography-products
Esri Living Atlas
Esri Landscape. “US Wind Turbine Database” [Feature layer] Scale Not Given. “United States Wind Turbine Database v7.1 from USGS USWTDB.” May 15, 2024. https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=cb89c230f4d44163abd62eb18b0b94dd&view=list&sortOrder=desc&sortField=defaultFSOrder. (September 9, 2024).
