How do I cite an article in a library database with no DOI?

As noted in section 5.84 of the MLA Handbook, for works consulted online, “the location, in order of preference, is the DOI, permalink, or URL.”… Read More

When citing a work in a database (e.g., Academic Search Complete) searched on the website EBSCOhost, should the container be the database or the website?

EBSCOhost is a research platform that contains, among other research tools and features, multiple databases. At EBSCOhost, visitors can search at once for articles in… Read More

How do I access a source that requires a paid subscription?

If you are a current student and don’t have individual access to a source that requires a paid subscription, you may have access through your… Read More

Do I need to create a separate works-cited-list entry for every work I use from the same database?

Yes, each work you cite from the same database requires its own works-cited-list entry, as shown in the example below: Some scholarship on genre addresses… Read More

I’m citing an online article that lacks page numbers. The database containing it provides the page range for the original print version. Do I include the page numbers in my entry?

Yes. Databases house digital copies of works and supply the publication information for the version of those works that have been digitized, usually in PDF… Read More

If I am citing an image from a database, and no information is provided about the artist, do I need to seek out the information for my citation?

No. If you cite an image from a database, your works-cited-list entry should only provide the information you are given. Read More

Should I include an accession number in my works-cited-list entry?

MLA style does not currently require accession numbers in works-cited-list entries. One difficulty is that what they are called and how they function vary by database… Read More

Do I include a publisher in works-cited-list entries for repositories and databases?

No. As the MLA Handbook notes, “A website not involved in producing the works it makes available” lacks a publisher (42). Examples include sites like… Read More