For this course, you will be expected to cite your sources using the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) citation style. Proper use of ASME requires in-text citation and a list of references at the end of your project. More details and examples how to cite of specific types of resources can be found on the ASME website.
In-Text Citation. Within the text, references should be cited numerically in the order of their appearance. The numbered citation should be enclosed in [brackets.]
Example
According to Agrawal and Platzer [1], solar sails may be used as a novel way to propel spacecraft.
In the case of two citations within one sentence, the numbers should be separated by a comma [1,2]. In the case of more than two reference citations, the numbers should be separated by a dash [5-7].
List of References. References to original sources for cited material should be listed numerically together at the end of the paper in order of their appearance in the text.
Example
References
[1] Agrawal, B. N., and Platzer, M. F., 2017, Standard Handbook for Aerospace Engineers, Second Edition, McGraw-Hill Education, New York, NY.
[2] Yuan, J., Gao, C., and Zhang, J., 2018, “Periodic Orbits of Solar Sail Equipped with Reflectance Control Device in Earth–Moon System,” Astrophysics and Space Science, 363(2), p. 23.
Additional examples and information can be found in this ASME guide from the University of Missouri.
Book or chapter in a book
[Citation number] Author(s), year, Title of Book, Publisher, Location.
For chapters in a book, add chapter number at the end of the citation following the abbreviation, “Chap.”
Example
[1] Saxby, G., 1996, Practical Holography, 2nd ed., Prentice Hall, New York, NY, Chap. 6.
Journal article
[Citation Number] Author(s), year, "Article Title," Journal Title, vol. no. (issue no.), pp.
Example
[2] Dahl, G. and Suttrop, F., 1998, “Engine Control and Low-NOx Combustion for Hydrogen Fuelled Aircraft Gas Turbines,” Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 23(8), pp. 695-704.
Web Page
[citation number] Author(s), year, “Title of Web Page.” Report Number (if applicable), from url.
Example
[3] McBride, B.J. and Gordon, S., 1996, “Computer Program for Calculation of Complex Chemical Equilibrium Compositions and Applications – II. Users Manual and Program Description,” NASA Ref Publ. No. 1311, from http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/CEAWeb/
[4] Danish Wind Energy Association, n.d., from http://www.windpower.org/en/core.htm
Conference Proceedings
[Citation number] Author(s), year, “Article Title,” Proceedings of the Name of Conference, date(s) of conference, identification number (if given), pp.
Example
[5] Wions, T. T., and Mills, C. D., 2006, “Structural Dynamics in Parallel Manipulation,” Proceedings of the IDETC/CIE, New Orleans, LA, September 10-13, 2005, ASME Paper No. DETC2005-99532, pp. 777-798.
Technical Report
[Citation number] Author(s), year, “Report Title,” Report Number (if any) Publisher, Location.
Example
[6] Leverant, G.R., 2000, “Turbine Rotor Material Design – Final Report,” DOT/FAA/AR-00/64, Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, D.C.
Standards/Patents
[Citation number] Inventor(s), year, “Patent Name/Title.” Country where patent is registered, Patent number.
For standards: Standard Issuing Body, year, “Standard Name,” Number.
Example
[7] Seippel, C., 1949, “Gas Turbine Installation,” U.S. Patent 2461186. [1] IEEE, 1992, “Scalable Coherent Interface,” IEEE Std. 1596-1992.
Citing your sources in a research paper allows you to give credit to the creators of the information you are drawing on.
You should cite a source whether you are including a direct quote or paraphrasing. Beyond giving credit and avoiding plagiarism, citing your sources also proves that you are building your argument on solid evidence.
By completing your research project, you are adding your voice to an ongoing conversation about your topic. Providing citations allows your reader to follow the trail of your research to see what others in the discussion are saying. Here is some more insight from the Yale University Center for Teaching and Learning:
"Academics conceive of scholarship as an ongoing and collaborative enterprise. Rather than try to invent a field from scratch, we read what others have discovered and try to build on or extend it in our own work. One scholar’s sources can therefore be an invaluable contribution to another’s research. So while we read your work looking for your original ideas, we also want help knowing how to pursue related questions. In this way, acknowledging your sources greatly enhances your paper’s value, as it shows readers where they might look to test, explore, and extend your conclusions."
Yale University Center for Teaching and Learning. Why cite your sources in academic writing? (n.d.). Retrieved August 3, 2018, from http://ctl.yale.edu/writing/using-sources/principles-citing-sources
Sometimes you need more than a quick citation builder. Besides just helping you format citations and bibliographies, citation management software allows you to organize and take notes on your sources in one place, as well as share references and collaborate on projects with colleagues.
Check out this guide to the citation management tools Mendeley and Zotero.
The Doane Writing Center can help you at any point in your writing process.
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