Formatting Styles in LIS

Overview

Disciplines use different formatting styles (e.g., MLA, APA, ASA, IEEE, etc.). For instance, graduate students in History might use the Chicago Manual of Style for formatting their written works while graduate students in Electrical Engineering might use IEEE. Psychology graduate students will most likely use APA formatting style while graduate students in the field of Chemistry might use ACS style.

The bottom line is that part of becoming an advanced-level student in your area of study involves becoming comfortable with using the expected formatting styles within your field.

Formatting Styles in LIS

Most courses in the SJSU School of Information require use of the American Psychological Association (APA) citation and formatting style. Refer to the resources linked below for more information about APA formatting.

APA Citation Guide, 7th Edition (SJSU Writing Center)

How to Avoid Biased Language Using APA Guidelines (SJSU Writing Center)

APA Style (Purdue Online Writing Lab)

School of Information APA Style Resources (Links to an external site.)

That said, be aware that two other citation and formatting styles might be used in LIS journals or other written works:

The Chicago Manual of Style

Modern Language Association (MLA)

When you are writing professionally (e.g., for a publication), always check to ensure what formatting style the publication requires.