Citations identify information in any format (articles, web pages, books, email messages, to name a few). Citations of articles often include the author, title, magazine or journal name, page numbers and publication information. Citations of Web documents also include a URL and the day the information was accessed.

The list of the sources used in a research paper is called a bibliography. A bibliography allows readers to verify facts or research the same information more easily. These sources are listed in citation format and follow an established style, such as MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association) or Chicago Manual of Style.