Citing one of my web pages

*Blog post
2019
Writing research papers
Author

Steve Simon

Published

January 15, 2019

I got an inquiry by email asking if it was okay to cite one of my web pages. Here’s what I said, more or less.

Generally, it is better to cite a book or research publication rather than a web page. But if you want to cite my web page, that’s fine. There are standard MLA formats and APA formats for citing a web page.

Web pages are always a bit tricky, but you do know the author. I normally go by Steve Simon, but for bibliographies, I always think it’s a good idea to include a middle initial (there are a gazillion Steve Simons out there). So using Stephen D. Simon or S.D. Simon is preferable. Web page citations should also include a publication date when possible and you can find this easily at my site. It’s at the top of every web page and at the bottom of every blog post.

So a web citation of this particular blog post would be

Simon, Stephen D. “Citing one of my web pages.” A blog about statistics, evidence-based medicine, and research ethics.15 Jan. 2019, blog.pmean.com/citing-my-web-ages/.

in MLA format (A Listserv, Discussion Group, or Blog Posting), and

Simon, S. D. (2019, January 15). Citing one of my web pages [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://blog.pmean.com/citing-my-web-ages/

in APA format (Blog (Weblog) Post).

Files from my website rather than my blog would look slightly different, according to these two styles. They would be

Simon, Stephen D. “P.Mean: Distrust of a Bayesian meta-analysis.” P.Mean Website. 01 Jul. 2008, http://www.pmean.com/08/DistrustBayesian.html.

in MLA format (A Page on a Web Site), and

Simon, S. D. (2008, July 1). P.Mean: Distrust of a Bayesian meta-analysis. Retrieved from http://www.pmean.com/08/DistrustBayesian.html

in APA format (Nonperiodical Web Document or Report).

Note that posts prior to July 1, 2008 typically start with “Stats” rather than “P.Mean” for historical reasons.

Earlier versions are here and here.