9.6 Using Database Citation Tools

Tools Menu

When using a library database click on the title of an article to view additional information. You can use the handy tools menu to save, print, email, and cite the article. Always keep an eye out for the tools available to you in various library databases.

Below is a screenshot of the "Tools" menu on the right side of an article in the library database, Academic Search Complete. Notice the "Cite" icon in the middle of the list.

Optional resource: Watch this 20 second video Links to an external site. (no sound) showing how to find an MLA citation from the Cite tool in Academic Search Complete.

The "Tools" menu is shown to the far-right of a result in Academic Search Complete

Clicking the "cite" tool opens a list of citations for the item. Note there are a variety of styles - MLA, APA, and more. 

  1. Select the MLA style citation
  2. Copy and paste it into your Works Cited list 
  3. Fix any errors, as necessary

In the library database, CQ Researcher, you will also find the tools menu on the right side of each article, but it looks a bit different:

Screenshot of CQ Researcher tools menu with large icons for "cite now" "print" "email" and "save"

In CQ Researcher, after clicking on the "Cite Now" icon, you are presented with an APA style citation. Switch to MLA style for copy/pasting:

Screenshot of CQ Researcher Cite Now tool. The tab for "MLA" style can be found above the APA citation.