CSE Format Examples for Personal Communications

Understanding CSE Format for Personal Communications

The Council of Science Editors (CSE) format provides guidelines for citing various sources in research papers. Personal communications, such as emails and interviews, are often included as they provide unique insights or data that are not publicly available. Here are three diverse examples that illustrate how to properly format personal communications in CSE style.

Example 1: Citing an Email Correspondence

In research, personal emails can serve as valuable sources of information, especially when discussing unpublished data or expert opinions. When citing an email in CSE format, it is essential to provide enough detail to identify the source while keeping it concise.

In this case, let’s say you received an email from Dr. Jane Smith regarding her unpublished study on climate change impacts.

Dr. Jane Smith, Department of Environmental Science, University of Greenfield. 2023 Apr 15. Personal communication.

This example includes the author’s name, their affiliation, the date of the communication, and specifies that it is a personal communication.

Notes:

• Ensure you have permission from the individual to cite their personal communication, as it may not be publicly accessible.
• Use a consistent format for dates, such as YYYY Mon DD.

Example 2: Citing a Personal Interview

Conducting personal interviews is a common research method, particularly in qualitative studies. Interviews can provide insights that are not available in published sources. When citing an interview in CSE format, include the interviewee’s name, the date, and indicate that it was an interview.

For instance, if you interviewed John Doe, a local historian, on March 10, 2023, for your research on regional history, you would format it as follows:

John Doe. 2023 Mar 10. Personal interview.

This citation clearly identifies the interviewee and the date of the interview, which is crucial for transparency in research.

Notes:

• If the interview was conducted in a more formal setting, you might want to specify the location for additional context.
• Make sure to summarize the key points from the interview in your paper to provide context for the citation.

Example 3: Citing a Phone Conversation

Phone conversations can also be valuable sources of information, especially when discussing specific topics with experts. When citing a phone conversation, the format is similar to that of an email or interview. Let’s say you had a phone conversation with Dr. Emily Brown about her research on renewable energy.

Emily Brown, Department of Renewable Energy, Tech University. 2023 Jun 5. Personal communication by phone.

This format includes the author’s name, their position, the date, and indicates that the communication was via phone.

Notes:

• Specify the method of communication (e.g., by phone, in person) to provide clarity.
• Be mindful of the information shared during the conversation; only include what is relevant to your research.

In summary, these examples of CSE format examples for personal communications demonstrate how to properly cite various forms of personal communication in your research papers. By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure your citations are clear, concise, and informative.