The Council of Science Editors (CSE) format is a widely recognized citation style used in scientific writing. When it comes to archival materials, citing these sources accurately is crucial for maintaining academic integrity. This guide presents three diverse examples of CSE format citations for archival materials, providing clarity and context for researchers.
This example illustrates how to cite a historical manuscript held in a university special collections library. Such documents are often used in research for historical context, primary sources, or original data.
Smith, J. 1905. Personal letters of John Smith. Manuscript collection, University of Historical Studies, Special Collections, Cityville, State.
In this citation, the author’s name is followed by the date of the manuscript. The title is italicized, indicating it is the name of the work. The type of material is specified, along with the repository where it is held, ensuring that readers know exactly where to find the source.
Oral history interviews are valuable for understanding personal narratives and societal changes. This example demonstrates how to cite an oral history interview from an archive.
Johnson, L. 1983. Oral history interview with Margaret Thompson, interviewed by Laura Johnson. 5 October 1983. Oral History Archive, Cityville University.
In this format, the interviewee’s name comes first, followed by the interviewer’s name and the date of the interview. The name of the archive is also included, providing a clear path for other researchers to locate the source.
Government reports can serve as essential archival materials, particularly in fields like public policy or environmental science. This example shows how to cite a government report stored in an archive.
Environmental Protection Agency. 1990. Air quality assessment report 1989. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Available from: National Archives, Cityville, State.
Here, the issuing body is listed first, followed by the year of publication and the title in italics. The publisher is identified, along with the archival location, ensuring comprehensive citation for future reference.
By following these examples of CSE format examples for archival materials, researchers can ensure they properly cite valuable historical documents, interviews, and reports, thus contributing to the credibility and reliability of their academic work.