Research & Citation Help

The library provides research assistance to current Sheridan students, faculty, staff, and alumni during library service hours in a variety of ways. We provide guidance for recognizing information needs, constructing search strategies, and evaluating and retrieving information, so that you can adequately organize and apply information in the creation of new knowledge. We also help locate publication information from sources and interpret style guide rules.

Library staff can answer all of your research and citation related questions through library@sheridancollege.ca or Chat with Us.

What we offer

>> All library locations are currently closed. Staff are only available virtually, through chat and email.

Friendly, qualified library staff are willing and waiting to answer assignment-related research questions at the service desk of each campus library. Drop by any time during library service hours to receive assistance with your research.

Trafalgar Campus Library
Davis Campus Library
Hazel McCallion Campus Library

Our online chat service is available during library service hours. Library staff from across the three campus libraries are available to answer research and citation questions related to Sheridan assignments and curriculum.

In most instances, chat sessions will last up to 20 minutes maximum in duration. After this time, queries that prove too complex will be continued via email or the user will be encouraged to visit the nearest campus library reference desk in person.

Online Chat: Chat with Us

Telephone and email questions will receive a response within 48 hours of receipt during library hours when you provide clear contact information. On occasion, requests received on weekends will receive a response on the following weekday when subject specialists and administrators are more readily available.

Email: library@sheridancollege.ca
Phone: 905-845-9430 ext. 2482

Research guides can help point you to the best resources to start your research. They are built by library staff, tailored to specific programs and courses at Sheridan, and available 24/7. Plus, find research guides on citing your sources, using sources, choosing a topic, and more!

All Research Guides

Liaison Librarians are available during library service hours for more in-depth research topics. Book a half hour consultation with the librarian for your faculty.

Staff Directory

Faculty may book a synchronous or asynchronous session focusing on research or citation skills. Simply Request a Workshop.

FAQ

APA Style is the most commonly used citation style at Sheridan college.

For some courses, professors may choose an alternative citation style, such as MLA Style, Chicago Style, AMA Style, etc. If you are unsure of which style to use, please see your assignment instructions.

No. You are responsible for proofreading your own work. However, tutoring and library staff can answer questions about essay or report writing, or citing sources appropriately. Our role is to help you improve your own proof-reading skills.

Reference Services Policy

There are lots of great tools available to you! However, some citation tools are better than others, and some are easier to use than others. The key is choosing the right one that works for you.

Zotero and Microsoft Word

If you are using websites, Zotero or the citation builder in Microsoft Word are likely sufficient. Zotero will capture most of the bibliographic information of online resources for you and then generate a reference list. Microsoft Word requires that you input the bibliographic information manually, but will then help you build in-text citations and a reference list.

Keep in mind that no citation builder is perfect. Be sure to proofread all citations and references before submitting your paper!

For Citations

Book a Tutoring Appointment ​

Tutoring appointments can be booked with a Reference & Citation specialist, or English Writing tutor.

We reserve the right to refuse to answer questions we find inappropriate including intrusive personal questions. All members of the Sheridan community are expected to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct at all times. For a list of limitations to our services, please see the Reference Services Policy.