The Modern Languages Association (MLA) dictates citation for essays and papers in the humanities. Common sources writers cite include books and journal articles, but sometimes you may find yourself faced with citing a survey. This could be either a survey you found in a publication, or one you have performed yourself. In either case, you simply need the author’s name, date of the survey and the publication information.
Step 1
State the last name of the author of the survey in parentheses, followed by the number of the page your reference discusses: (Smith 2) Place this citation at the end of the sentence where you discuss the survey.
Step 2
Type the name of the person who performed the survey, last name first, given name second and place this entry on your Works Cited page, in alphabetical order.
Smith, John.
Step 3
Copy the title of the survey, followed by the city where the person conducted the survey, the location in the city, if indicated, as well as the date the survey was conducted.
Survey of 25 Grade 12 Students to Determine Their Television Watching Preferences. Anywhere, NY: School cafeteria, Anywhere School, 2 Apr. 2011.
Step 4
Indicate the medium of the publication of the survey -- web or print, for example.
Unpublished Survey.
Step 5
Indent the second and all ensuing lines. Double space the whole bibliographic entry.
Smith, John. Survey of 25 Grade 12 Students to Determine Their Television Watching Preferences. Anywhere, NY: School cafeteria, Anywhere School, 2 Apr. 2011. Unpublished Survey.