How to Cite a Survey in MLA Style

Understanding MLA Format in an Essay

MLA (Modern Language Association) format is a commonly used citation style in academic writing. When citing a survey in MLA, it is important to follow the specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and credibility. Begin by including the author’s name and the survey title in quotation marks. Next, provide the publication or sponsoring organization, followed by the date of publication. When citing an online survey, include the URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier). It is also crucial to indicate the type of resource, such as a web page, book, or journal article. MLA format also requires in-text citations, usually in parentheses, with the author’s last name and page number. It is essential to adhere to MLA format guidelines to maintain consistency and provide proper credit to the original survey source.

Components of a Survey Citation in MLA

When citing a survey in MLA format, it is important to include specific components to provide accurate and complete information. Here are the essential elements that should be included in your citation:

1. Author’s Name: Begin with the author’s last name, followed by their first name or initials. If the author is not available, use the survey title as the first element.
2. Survey Title: Enclose the survey title in quotation marks. If the survey has a specific name or is part of a larger work, include the title of the overall work in italics or underlined.
3. Publication or Sponsoring Organization: Include the name of the organization or publication responsible for the survey. If it is an online survey, provide the name of the website or platform where the survey was accessed.
4. Date of Publication: Include the date when the survey was published or conducted. If the date is not available, use “n.d.” to indicate no date.
5. URL or DOI: If the survey is accessed online, include the URL (web address) for the web page where the survey can be found. Alternatively, use the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) if provided.
6. Type of Resource: Indicate the type of resource that the survey belongs to, such as a web page, book, journal article, or conference proceeding.

By including these components in your MLA citation, you provide the necessary information for readers to locate and verify the survey you have used in your essay.

Citing a Survey Conducted by the Author(s)

When citing a survey conducted by the author(s) in MLA format, you should include specific details to properly acknowledge their work. Here are the key components to include in your citation:

1. Author(s) of the Survey: Begin with the last name of the author(s), followed by their first name or initials. If there are multiple authors, separate their names using commas.
2. Survey Title: Enclose the title of the survey in quotation marks. If the survey is part of a larger work, italicize or underline the title of the overall work.
3. Title of the Overall Work: If applicable, include the title of the larger work in which the survey is published. Italicize or underline the title.
4. Publication Information: Include the publisher’s name, followed by the year of publication. If the survey is unpublished, use “unpublished” instead of the publisher’s name.
5. Medium of Publication: Indicate the medium of the survey, such as print or digital. For example, if the survey was distributed through an online platform, specify that it is a “Web” survey.
6. In-text Citation: Use parenthetical citations within the essay to reference the survey. Include the author’s last name and the page number (if available).

By accurately citing a survey conducted by the author(s) in MLA format, you give credit to the original source and enable readers to locate the survey for further research.

Citing a Survey Conducted by Someone Else

When citing a survey conducted by someone else in MLA format, you should include specific details to give proper credit to the source. Here are the key components to include in your citation:

1. Author(s) of the Survey: Begin with the last name of the author(s), followed by their first name or initials. If there are multiple authors, separate their names using commas.
2. Survey Title: Enclose the title of the survey in quotation marks. If the survey is part of a larger work, italicize or underline the title of the overall work.
3. Title of the Overall Work: If applicable, include the title of the larger work in which the survey is published. Italicize or underline the title.
4. Publication Information: Provide information about where the survey was published, such as the name of the book, journal, or website. Include the publisher’s name, if available, and the year of publication (or date the survey was conducted).
5. Medium of Publication: Indicate the medium of the survey, such as print or digital. If accessed online, include the URL or DOI.
6. In-text Citation: Use parenthetical citations within the essay to reference the survey. Include the author’s last name and the page number (if available).

By accurately citing a survey conducted by someone else in MLA format, you give credit to the original source and enable readers to locate the survey for further research.

Survey Citation Examples for Various Sources

Citing a survey in MLA format requires adapting the citation depending on the source type. Here are some examples of how to cite surveys from different sources:

1. Survey from a Book:
   Last Name, First Name. “Survey Title.” Book Title, Publisher, Year, Page(s).
2. Survey from a Journal Article:
   Last Name, First Name. “Survey Title.” Journal Title, vol. #, no. #, Year, Page(s).
3. Survey from a Website:
   Last Name, First Name. “Survey Title.” Website Title, Publisher or Sponsor, Date, URL.
4. Survey from a Conference Proceedings:
   Last Name, First Name. “Survey Title.” Conference Title, edited by Editor’s Name(s), Publisher, Year, Page(s).
5. Survey from an Online Database:
   Last Name, First Name. “Survey Title.” Database Name, Publisher, Year, URL or DOI.

Remember to format the citations with appropriate punctuation and italics/underlining for titles. In-text citations should also be used to correspond to the full citations.

By following these examples, you can create accurate and consistent MLA citations for surveys from various sources.

Common Errors to Avoid in Survey Citations

When citing a survey in MLA format, it’s important to be aware of common errors to ensure accurate and properly formatted citations. Here are some common errors to avoid:

1. Missing or Incomplete Author Information: Make sure to include the author’s full name (last name, first name) or the organization responsible for the survey.
2. Incorrect Formatting of Survey Titles: Use quotation marks for survey titles and italicize or underline the titles of larger works.
3. Omitting Publication Information: Include the name of the publisher or sponsoring organization, as well as the publication date or the date the survey was conducted.
4. Neglecting to Indicate Medium of Publication: Specify whether the survey was accessed in print or digitally (e.g., Web survey).
5. Improper Use of In-text Citations: Ensure that in-text citations include the author’s last name and, if available, the page number where the information was found.
6. Inaccurate or Missing URLs or DOIs: If the survey is accessed online, include the URL or DOI to provide a direct link to the survey.

Double-checking your citations for these errors will help ensure that you provide complete and correct information for your survey citations in MLA format.