How to Cite LexisNexis Academic Correctly
LexisNexis is a database containing hundreds of thousands of articles, research papers and public records used by researchers, students, government and law enforcement worldwide. How to cite a source from LexisNexis Academic will depend on the style preferred by your school or publisher, because different organizations apply bibliography rules from different authorities.
Modern Language Association
If your organization requires MLA citations, use the same citation format you would use if you had found the publication via another source, and then add "LexisNexis Academic" in italics to the end, followed by the word "Web" and the date you accessed the article. For example, if you cite David Quammen's article "Megatransect" found on page 15-18 of National Geographic's August 2001 issue, a standard MLA format citation would read Quammen, David. "Megatransect." National Geographic (italicized), August 2001: 15-18. If you read that article via LexisNexis on Oct. 13, 2007, your citation would read Quammen, David. "Megatransect." National Geographic (italicized), August 2001: 15-18. LexisNexis Academic (italicized). Web. 13 October, 2007.
American Psychological Association
If you're doing psychological, psychiatric or some medical research, you may be asked to cite sources using guidelines from the APA style. Use the same guidelines as you would for the source if found outside LexisNexis, and then add the phrase "Retrieved (date in Month Day, Year format), "from LexisNexis Academic database." If you found the information at the library, you would cite a transcript of Ken Kesey's Aug. 12th, 2011, speech "Beyond the Cuckoo's Nest" heard on the Psychology Talk podcast as Kesey, K. (2011, August 12). Beyond the Cuckoo's Nest. [Transcript]. Psychology Talk (italicized). If you found that transcript on Sept. 10, 2013, on LexisNexis academic, you would format the citation as "Beyond the Cuckoo's Nest" heard on the Psychology Talk podcast as Kesey, K. (2011, August 12). Beyond the Cuckoo's Nest. [Transcript]. Psychology Talk (italicized). Retrieved September 10, 2013, from LexisNexis Academic Database.
Chicago Manual of Style
For Chicago formatting of a citation, add the Web address for LexisNexis and the date of access in Month Day, Year format enclosed in parentheses. The financial report "Quarter 3 Widget Sales for 2007" distributed by Widget Worldwide in 2007 would be cited as Widget Worldwide. "Quarter 3 Widget Sales for 2007" Widget Worldwide, 2007. If you accessed the report via LexisNexis Academic on June 12, 2014, you would format the citation as "Quarter 3 Widget Sales for 2007" Widget Worldwide, 2007. http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe (accessed June 12, 2014).
Other Formats
Dozens of other style guides exist, ranging from Associated Press to specific rules adopted by individual publishers. As with the more recognized academic styles, most of these also require that you add a note regarding LexisNexis and the access date to the end. The specific formatting will vary by style.
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Writer Bio
Beverlee Brick began writing professionally in 2009, contributing to various websites. Prior to this, she wrote curriculum and business papers in four different languages. As a martial arts and group fitness instructor, she has taught exercise classes in North America, Europe and Asia. She holds master's degrees in French literature and education.
