MLA Case Study Citation: Simple Steps for Perfect Papers

The Modern Language Association (MLA) establishes guidelines critical for academic integrity. Proper formatting, including how to cite a case study MLA, directly reflects the depth of research. OWL Purdue offers a comprehensive resource, assisting students in navigating these complex guidelines. Understanding the nuances of citation, particularly within the humanities, ensures accurate attribution. Students and researchers at all levels must understand how to cite a case study mla, guaranteeing both credibility and avoidance of plagiarism.

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Mastering MLA Case Study Citations: A Step-by-Step Guide

This guide provides a clear and concise breakdown of how to cite a case study using the Modern Language Association (MLA) style. We'll cover the core elements required for both Works Cited entries and in-text citations, ensuring accuracy and consistency in your academic papers. This guide focuses on "how to cite a case study mla" effectively.

Understanding the Basics of MLA Citation

Before diving into case study specifics, it's crucial to grasp the fundamental principles of MLA citation. The goal is to give credit to the original author and allow readers to easily locate the source material. MLA utilizes a two-part system:

• Works Cited Entry: A detailed entry at the end of your paper, providing full bibliographic information for each source.
• In-Text Citation: A brief reference within the body of your paper, directing readers to the relevant Works Cited entry. Typically includes the author's last name and page number (if applicable).

Citing a Case Study: Works Cited Entry

The structure of a Works Cited entry for a case study depends on where the case study was published. Was it published in a book, journal, or on a website? Let's explore each scenario:

Case Study Published in a Book

The basic format for a book chapter (which many case studies resemble) is:

Author, Last Name, First Name. "Title of Case Study." Title of Book, edited by Editor's Name, Publisher, Year, Page Range.

• Author: The author of the case study itself.
• Title of Case Study: Enclose this in quotation marks.
• Title of Book: Italicize the book title.
• Editor: If the book has an editor, include "edited by" followed by the editor's name.
• Publisher: Name of the publishing company.
• Year: Year of publication.
• Page Range: The specific pages where the case study appears in the book.

Example:

Smith, Jane. "The Marketing Campaign Failure of XYZ Corp." Business Ethics: A Case Study Approach, edited by John Doe, Academic Press, 2023, pp. 105-122.

Case Study Published in a Journal

The format for a journal article is:

Author, Last Name, First Name. "Title of Case Study." Title of Journal, Volume, Issue, Year, Page Range. Database Name (if applicable), URL (if applicable).

• Author: Author of the case study.
• Title of Case Study: Enclose in quotation marks.
• Title of Journal: Italicize the journal title.
• Volume: The volume number of the journal.
• Issue: The issue number of the journal.
• Year: Year of publication.
• Page Range: The pages where the case study appears.
• Database Name: If accessed through a database (e.g., JSTOR, ProQuest), include the database name.
• URL: If accessed online and not through a database, include a stable URL.

Example:

Johnson, Robert. "Leadership Crisis at Enron: A Case Study." Journal of Business Management, vol. 45, no. 2, 2022, pp. 50-65. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/12345678.

Case Study Found on a Website

If the case study is published directly on a website, use the following format:

Author, Last Name, First Name (if available). "Title of Case Study." Website Name, Publisher or Sponsor (if different from website name), Date of Publication or Last Updated, URL.

• Author: If no author is listed, begin with the title of the case study.
• Title of Case Study: Enclose in quotation marks.
• Website Name: Italicize the website name.
• Publisher/Sponsor: If the website has a distinct publisher or sponsoring organization, include it.
• Date of Publication: Use the date the case study was published or last updated. If no date is available, use "n.d." (for "no date").
• URL: Provide a direct and stable URL to the case study.

Example:

"The Tesla Autopilot Controversy: A Case Study." Harvard Business School Online, Harvard University, 15 Mar. 2023, online.hbs.edu/blog/post/tesla-autopilot-case-study.

Citing a Case Study: In-Text Citations

In-text citations provide brief references within your text, leading readers to the full Works Cited entry. The standard format involves the author's last name and page number (if applicable).

Basic In-Text Citation Format

(Author's Last Name, Page Number)

Example:

(Smith, 110)

Author Not Mentioned in the Sentence

If the author's name is not explicitly stated in your sentence, include it in the parenthetical citation.

"The failure of the XYZ Corp. marketing campaign was attributed to several factors" (Smith, 115).

Author Mentioned in the Sentence

If you mention the author's name in the sentence, you only need to include the page number in the parenthetical citation.

According to Smith, "the organizational structure hindered effective communication" (120).

No Page Numbers Available

If the case study lacks page numbers (e.g., an online article), omit the page number from the in-text citation.

(Smith)

Multiple Works by the Same Author

If your Works Cited list includes multiple works by the same author, add a shortened version of the title to the in-text citation to distinguish between the sources.

(Smith, "Marketing Campaign," 110)

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Alright, you've got the lowdown on how to cite a case study MLA! Now go forth, conquer those citations, and write some amazing papers. You got this!