Mandatory
When citing a dataset you must mention:
- author(s): the name(s) of the creator(s) of the dataset.
- title: the name of the dataset.
- publication date: the date on which the dataset is published.
- publisher: the name of the repository in which the dataset is stored.
- identifier: the unique code of the dataset, e.g. a DOI.
Optional
- file type: the type of file, e.g. dataset, codebook, film, picture, software.
- version: the version number or the edition of the dataset you have used, important if more versions are available.
- creation date: the date on which the dataset was created, important if you use an unpublished dataset.
- date of consultation: the date you (last) consulted the dataset.
The exact order of these elements depends on the citation style you use in your publication.
Styles
APA (6th edition)
Minimally: Author (publication date). Title (version) [file type]. DOI
More extensively: Author (publication date). Title (version) [file type]. Publisher. DOI
Example, minimally:
Milberger, S. (2002). Evaluation of violence against women with physical disabilities in Michigan, 2000-2001 (ICPSR version) [data file and codebook]. doi:10.3886/ICPSR03414
Example, incl. optional elements:
Milberger, S. (2002). Evaluation of violence against women with physical disabilities in Michigan, 2000-2001 (ICPSR version) [data file and codebook]. Detroit: Wayne State University [producer]. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor]. doi:10.3886/ICPSR03414
MLA (7th edition)
Minimally: Author. Title. Version. Publisher, publication date. Consultation date.
More extensively: Author. Title. Version. Publisher, publication date. Consultation date. DOI
Example, minimally:
Milberger, Sharon. Evaluation of Violence Against Women With Physical Disabilities in Michigan, 2000-2001. ICPSR version. Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, 2002. Web. 19 May 2011.
Example, incl. optional elements:
Milberger, Sharon. Evaluation of Violence Against Women With Physical Disabilities in Michigan, 2000-2001. ICPSR version. Detroit: Wayne State U [producer]. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2002. Web. 19 May 2011. doi:10.3886/ICPSR03414
Chicago (17th edition)
Bibliography: Author. Title. Version. Publisher, publication date. DOI
Author-date style: Author. Publication date. Title. Version. Publisher. DOI
Example, bibliography:
Milberger, Sharon. Evaluation of Violence Against Women With Physical Disabilities in Michigan, 2000-2001. ICPSR version. Detroit: Wayne State University, 2002. Distributed by Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research, 2002. doi:10.3886/ICPSR03414.
Example, author-date:
Milberger, Sharon. 2002. Evaluation of Violence Against Women With Physical Disabilities in Michigan, 2000-2001. ICPSR version. Detroit: Wayne State University. Distributed by Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research. doi:10.3886/ICPSR03414.