How to Cite if You Can’t Find the Author
In academic writing, citing sources is an essential part of the process. However, what do you do when you cannot find the author of a particular source? This can be a challenging situation, especially if the source is crucial to your research. In this article, we will discuss how to cite a source when the author’s name is missing.
1. Use the Title as the Author
If you cannot find the author’s name, you can use the title of the source as the author in your citation. For example, if you are citing a book without an author, you would write:
Book Title. (Year of Publication).
2. Use the Editor’s Name
If the source has an editor instead of an author, you can use the editor’s name in your citation. For instance, if you are citing an edited book, you would write:
Editor’s Name, Ed. (Year of Publication). Book Title.
3. Use the Publisher’s Name
If neither the author nor the editor’s name is available, you can use the publisher’s name as the author in your citation. For example:
Publisher’s Name. (Year of Publication). Book Title.
4. Use the Website Name
For online sources without an author, you can use the website name as the author. For instance:
Website Name. (Year of Publication). Page Title. Retrieved from URL
5. Use a Corporate Author
If the source is produced by a corporate entity, such as a government agency or a company, you can use the corporate name as the author. For example:
Corporate Author. (Year of Publication). Report Title. Retrieved from URL
6. Use a Conventional Abbreviation
In some cases, you may need to use a conventional abbreviation for the source. For example, if you are citing a journal without an author, you can use the journal’s abbreviation followed by the volume and issue number:
Journal Abbreviation. (Year). Volume(Issue): Page Numbers.
7. Include the Date of Access
When citing online sources, it is essential to include the date of access in your citation. This helps readers locate the source if they need to verify your information. For example:
Website Name. (Year of Publication). Page Title. Retrieved from URL on Date of Access
In conclusion, when you cannot find the author of a source, there are several ways to handle the citation. Use the title, editor’s name, publisher’s name, website name, corporate author, conventional abbreviation, or the date of access to create a proper citation. Remember that accurate citation is crucial for academic integrity and the credibility of your research.
