Which of the following citation styles is most often used in the health sciences and nursing?

These quick reference guides are designed to provide easy access to common formatting and stylistic requirements for each citation style. If we do not currently have a citation guide for a style you are working with, or you suspect that there may be an error, please take a moment to provide feedback.

  • American Psychological Association or APA citation style is frequently used in the Social Sciences.
  • Council of Science Editors or CSE citation style is frequently used in the Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics).
  • Chicago Manual of Style has two methods of documentation, the humanities style (notes and bibliography) and the author-date style.
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers or IEEE citation style is frequently used in Engineering.
  • Modern Language Association or MLA citation style is frequently used in the Humanities.
  • National Library of Medicine or NLM citation style is frequently used in the Health Sciences disciplines.
  • American Society of Agronomy or ASA, Crop Science Society of America or CSSA, and Soil Science Society of America or SSSA citation styles are frequently used in Soil Science, Agronomy, and Crop Science.

Additional resources

  • Bibliographic Software Options
  • WSU Libraries’ Plagiarism Tutorial

With so many different citation styles, how do you know which one is right for your paper?

First, we strongly recommend asking your instructor. There are several factors which go into determining the appropriate citation style, including discipline (priorities in an English class might differ from those of a Psychology class, for example), academic expectations (papers intended for publication might be subject to different standards than mid-term papers), the research aims of an assignment, and the individual preference of your instructor. 

Make sure you ask your instructor what style you will be using.

The most important thing to consider is citing correctly and avoiding plagiarism.

APA Style

APA Style is currently in its 6th edition.   It is a citation format established by the American Psychological Association. The format was developed to ensure consistency and to provide style rules for scientific writing.  For more information go to APA style.

This format is used mostly for:

  • Social Sciences (including Psychology, Education, Sociology, Economics, Criminal Justice, etc.)
  • Business

What does APA Style include?

  • the format & structure of your paper
  • how you cite other authors within the body of your paper
  • how you compile a references page at the end of your paper

          Five Top Reasons to Use APA Style:

  •  APA style is required for many classes.
  •  APA style helps you credit sources and distinguish your own ideas from others'.
  •  APA Style helps you avoid accidental plagiarism.
  •  APA Style communicates important information about your sources.
  •  APA Style looks professional and credible.

MLA Style

The MLA Handbook, 7th edition, is being superseded by the 8th edition, which was published in April 2016.  During this transition it is very important that you know which edition of the MLA Handbook your instructor is using for your class assignments.   If your instructor is NOT using the 7th edition of the MLA Handbook, go to the subject guide for the 8th edition. Also, it is important to note that some databases may not have updated to the 8th edition, as well as some citation generators.   For more information visit MLA Style Center.

MLA is most often used in the Humanities disciplines including, but not limited to:

  • English Language & Literature
  • Comparative Literature
  • Cultural Studies
  • Foreign Languages
  • Other areas in the humanities

What does MLA Style include?

  • the format & page layout of your paper
  • stylistic technicalities (e.g. abbreviations, footnotes, quotations)
  • how you cite other authors within the body of your paper
  • how you compile a references page at the end of your paper

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chicago and Turabian Style are essentially the same style. 

What's the difference?

"Turabian is a kind of citation involving either footnotes or endnotes.  For the most part, it is a condensed version of the Chicago stylebook written especially for student writers." Hollins University Writing Center 

The Chicago Style is currently in its 17th edition.  Turabian is in its 8th Edition.  It was developed for students to support the writing process.  Go to Chicago Style for more information.

Chicago and Turbanian are most often used in the Humanities disciplines including, but not limited to:

  • English Literature
  • History
  • The Arts

What does Chicago Style include?

  • the format & page layout of your paper
  • stylistic technicalities (e.g. abbreviations, footnotes, quotations)
  • how you cite other authors within the body of your paper
  • how you compile a references page at the end of your paper

CSE Style

Council of Science Editors Documentation Style (CS) is currently in its 8th edition.

The Council of Science Editors (CSE) offers three systems of documentation. In all three systems, a reference list at the end of the paper provides all the information your reader needs to track down your sources. In-text references in your sentences show your reader which sources support the claims and information of that sentence.

CSE is used in all areas of science and related fields has been fully revised by the Council of Science Editors to reflect today’s best practices in scientific publishing

What does CSE Style include?

  • the format & page layout of your paper
  • stylistic technicalities (e.g. abbreviations, footnotes, quotations)
  • how you cite other authors within the body of your paper
  • how you compile a references page at the end of your paper

Which of the following styles is most often used in the health sciences and nursing?

APA (American Psychological Association) style is most often used by researchers in the Social Sciences, especially Psychology, and by Education and Business researchers.

What is the name of the literature that is not published but may be included in a systematic review?

Grey literature, or evidence not published in commercial publications, can make important contributions to a systematic review. Grey literature can include academic papers, including theses and dissertations, research and committee reports, government reports, conference papers, and ongoing research, among others.

What type of research includes random assignment as a means of controlling extraneous variables?

Random assignment is an important part of control in experimental research, because it helps strengthen the internal validity of an experiment. In experiments, researchers manipulate an independent variable to assess its effect on a dependent variable, while controlling for other variables.

What type of research includes trend analysis?

Trend analysis as a design research methodology involves collecting data about users as well as from users. This data is then analyzed to determine a trend and is then analyzed further to determine its development over time.