Penn State University Libraries - Microforms

Since most microform materials found in the Library are simply photographic, miniature reproductions of what had once been a full-size newspaper, book, or magazine, actually citing the format of the publication should be avoided.

The rare exception to this rule is when the nature of the publication is essential information. The fact that you used the microform version of the Journal of Applied Psychology would be important in, say, a study comparing usage of microfilm and paper sources in research. Another instance when the format is important is when the publication is only available in a microformat, such as a letter included in a collection of personal papers, or an ERIC document, to name two examples.

The following web sites provide additional documentation and citation styles for citing microforms:

• Citation and Writing Guides — Print and web-based citation guides for MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.
• Bibliographic Citations (California State Polytechnic University Library)  — Includes more complex examples, such as formatting materials available on microform (microfiche, microfilm).

Example:

Groak, James J. Utilization of Library Resources by Students in Non-residential Degree programs. ERIC, 1974. ED 121 236.

Note how in this example, the resource follows the format for books and includes the name of the microform provider.