Introduction to Citation Styles: APA 7th ed.

Summary

This script discusses the importance of citations in academic writing, emphasizing their role in crediting others' ideas and enhancing credibility. It outlines APA style, a widely used citation format in the sciences and social sciences, and explains its two main components: in-text citations and reference list citations. The script details how to format these citations, including author names, publication dates, titles, and source information, and advises on using official style manuals or online guides for specific citation formats.

Takeaways

• 📚 Citations are essential for giving credit to original ideas and enhancing credibility.
• 📈 APA style is widely used in the sciences and social sciences for citation purposes.
• 🔍 In-text citations in APA style include the author's last name or organization and the year.
• 👥 For works with more than three authors, use 'et al.' after the first author's name.
• 📝 A complete citation is required in the reference list at the end of the document.
• 🔗 The reference list should match the in-text citations in format and content.
• 📑 The reference list uses a hanging indent and is organized alphabetically by the author's last name.
• 📰 Reference list citations vary and should be checked against the official APA style manual or online guides.
• 🎓 Academic journal articles are a common source to cite in college papers.
• 🔑 The DOI, or digital object identifier, is a direct link to the article and should be included if available.
• ❓ For assistance with APA citation, consult a librarian or use reliable online resources.

Q & A

Why are citations important in academic writing?

Citations are crucial as they give credit to the original ideas of others, enhance the credibility of the author, and assist readers in locating the same sources.

What is the purpose of citation styles?

Citation styles provide guidelines and conventions that ensure a consistent presentation of writing and sources across different disciplines.

Which disciplines commonly use APA style for citations?

APA style is frequently used in the sciences and social sciences.

What are the two main components of a citation according to APA style?

The two main components are the in-text citation within the body of the paper and the complete citation in the reference list at the end.

How should you reference a source with more than three authors in APA style?

For sources with more than three authors, include the first author's last name followed by 'et al.' in the in-text citation.

What is the format for a reference list citation in APA style?

A reference list citation typically includes the author, date, title of the work, and the source or information about where to access it, separated by periods.

How should references be organized in the reference list in APA style?

References should be organized alphabetically by the author's last name using a hanging indent.

What is the significance of using sentence case for article titles in APA citations?

Using sentence case for article titles, where only the first word, subtitle, and proper nouns are capitalized, maintains a standard format for titles in APA citations.

Why is the volume and issue number important in citing academic journal articles?

The volume and issue number are important as they help readers locate the specific issue of a journal where an article was published.

What is a DOI and why is it included in APA citations?

A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a unique alphanumeric string assigned to digital documents, providing a direct link to the article on the publisher's site, which is useful for citation purposes.

Who can provide assistance with APA citation formatting?

Librarians can offer guidance and assistance with proper APA citation formatting.