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Citation

Just like an article or a book, a dataset may be an information source for an academic publication. The dataset must be explicitly mentioned as a source, even if you yourself are the creator of the dataset.

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.

Sharing: identifiers

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  • creation date: the date on which the dataset was created, important if you use an unpublished dataset.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.

More information

Digital Curation Centre: How to cite datasets and link to publications