Software & Mobile Apps

Software and mobile applications are integral to modern research, communication, and daily life. They can be the tools used to conduct research (e.g., statistical analysis software, survey platforms), the objects of study themselves (e.g., in software engineering or media studies), or the platforms through which information is disseminated and accessed. Properly citing software and mobile apps in MLA style is essential for acknowledging the developers, ensuring the transparency and reproducibility of research methods, and allowing readers to identify the specific version of the tool used.

This section will provide detailed guidelines on how to cite various forms of software and mobile applications, including installable programs, web-based applications, and mobile apps, according to MLA 9th Edition conventions. The guidelines will cover the core elements such as the author or developer, title, version, publisher, date, and location or access information.

Basic Formats:
  • Installable Software: Author/Developer Name. Title of Software. Version number (if available), Publisher (if different from author), Year of release or copyright.
  • Mobile App: Author/Developer Name. Title of App. Version number (if available), App Store name (e.g., Apple App Store, Google Play Store), Year of release or last significant update.
  • Web-Based Software/Application: Author/Developer Name. Title of Web Application. Publisher (if different from author), URL. Accessed Date.
Detailed Explanation of Elements:
  • Author/Developer Name:
    • This is the individual, company, or organization that created or holds the primary rights to the software or app.
    • Examples: Adobe Inc., Microsoft, Google, Headspace Inc.
  • Title of Software/App:
    • Italicize the official title of the software or application.
    • Capitalize all major words in the title.
    • Examples: SPSS Statistics, Evernote, Google Maps.
  • Version Number:
    • If the software or app has a specific version number (e.g., 2.0, 10.1, build 1543), include it after the title, preceded by "Version" or "version" if it's not clear. This is important as features can change significantly between versions.
    • For web-based applications or apps that update continuously without discrete public version numbers, this element may be omitted.
  • Publisher (or Distributor / App Store):
    • This is the entity that makes the software or app available, if different from the author/developer.
    • For installable software, this might be the same as the developer or a larger corporation (e.g., IBM Corp.).
    • For mobile apps, the name of the app store (e.g., Apple App Store, Google Play Store) often serves this role, acting as the publisher or primary distributor. Italicize the App Store name as it's the title of a container.
    • For web-based applications, the publisher might be the same as the developer.
  • Year of Release / Publication / Last Update:
    • Provide the year the specific version of the software or app was released or the copyright year.
    • For apps or software with frequent updates, use the year of the version you used or the most recent significant update date if available.
  • URL (for Web-Based Software or Direct Downloads):
    • If the software is web-based or accessed/downloaded directly from a website, provide the URL. Omit "http://" or "https://" unless necessary.
    • For apps obtained exclusively through an app store, the app store name usually suffices for location.
  • Accessed Date (for Web-Based Software/Apps):
    • Crucial for web-based applications or any software that is accessed online and may change over time without formal version updates.
    • Format: Precede the date with "Accessed" and use Day Month Year (e.g., Accessed 27 May 2025).
  • Platform (Descriptive Information - Optional):
    • While not always a formal part of the MLA citation, you can mention the platform (e.g., iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Web) in your prose when discussing the software if it's relevant for context. This information is often implicit from the App Store (e.g., Apple App Store implies iOS) or publisher.
Detailed Examples:
SAS Institute Inc. SAS OnDemand for Academics. Version 3.8, SAS Institute Inc., 2023.
Adobe Inc. Adobe Photoshop. Version 25.0, Adobe Inc., 2024.

In-Text Citation (Detailed):

Basic Format: Use the author/developer's name or the company name as it appears at the start of your Works Cited entry. If no author/developer is listed, or if the software is better known by its title, use the italicized title (or a shortened version of it).

  • Example (Developer Name): (SAS Institute Inc.)
  • Example (Developer Name): (OpenAI)
  • Example (Software Title if no clear developer or better known by title): (Google Docs)

Author's Name or Title in Text: If you mention the developer's name or the title of the software/app in your sentence, you do not need a parenthetical citation unless it's to differentiate between multiple works or for specific emphasis.

  • Example: Data analysis was performed using SAS OnDemand for Academics (SAS Institute Inc.).
  • Example: OpenAI's ChatGPT app offers various functionalities.
  • Example: Google Docs allows for real-time collaboration.

Referring to Specific Features or Content: Since software and apps do not have page numbers, if you need to refer to a specific part or feature, describe it clearly in your text.

  • Example: The "Solver" function in Microsoft Excel was used to optimize the parameters.
  • Example: The app's tutorial section on "Advanced Search Techniques" provides useful guidance (Evernote).

Important Notes:

  • Accuracy is Paramount: Double-check the spelling of the software/app title, the publisher name, and the URL. Small errors can make it difficult for readers to locate the source.
  • Official Sources: Prioritize citing the software or app from official sources (developer's website, official app store listings). Avoid citing from third-party websites or blogs unless absolutely necessary.
  • Updates: Software and apps are frequently updated. If the specific version you used is critical to your citation, make sure to note it.
  • Operating System: Do not include the operating system (e.g., Windows, macOS, iOS, Android) in the citation. The platform for mobile apps covers this.
  • No Retrieval Dates: Do not include retrieval dates for software or mobile apps.
  • No Access/Order Numbers: Do not include any access or order numbers that may be provided when purchasing or downloading the software/app.
  • Long URLs: If a URL is excessively long, you may use a URL shortening service (like bit.ly) only if the shortened URL is stable and reliable and you have verified that it leads to the correct location. However, it is generally preferred to use the full URL.
  • Emphasis on Detail: The goal is to provide enough detail so that another researcher or reader can easily locate the exact software or app you used. Err on the side of providing more information rather than less.