When citing online articles that have not been published in formal journals, how should I handle it?

Citing non-journal online articles requires careful handling to maintain scholarly integrity while acknowledging valuable sources. These materials can be cited when appropriate and verifiable. Ensure the source possesses inherent reliability; assess author credentials, institutional affiliation, editorial oversight, and transparency of methodology. Crucially, stable access is essential – prioritize sources with DOIs, persistent URLs, or utilize web archiving services. Directly link to the specific content cited and always include an access date, acknowledging the dynamic nature of online information and potential link rot. Rigorously verify information against authoritative peer-reviewed literature when possible. Formal citation style guides (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) provide specific formats for webpages, reports, preprints, and blogs. Adhere strictly to these prescribed formats for the relevant source type, including author(s), publication date (or "n.d." if unavailable), specific page/article title, site name, stable URL/DOI, and retrieval date. Contextualize the source's value and potential limitations (e.g., non-peer-reviewed status) within your narrative to frame its contribution appropriately for your scholarly argument.