How to Read a Citation

Summary

This video explains how to read and interpret citations, emphasizing their importance in academic research. It highlights key elements like authorship, publication date, and the type of source, helping viewers understand how citations act as a map to valuable resources. The script also covers different citation styles and their visual distinctions, such as in APA format. Additionally, it provides guidance on finding books and articles in library catalogs, and clarifies citation components for webpages, conference proceedings, and more. This video is a helpful resource for navigating academic citations effectively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Citations are important for guiding readers to the sources of information used in research projects.
• 😀 Citations serve like a map, helping researchers trace the origins of information.
• 😀 Writers use citations to show that their research is based on credible and authoritative sources.
• 😀 Different citation manuals exist, each with unique rules for how information is attributed, but they all share common elements.
• 😀 The author's name is crucial in a citation, indicating who is responsible for the intellectual content.
• 😀 Citations include information about the publication date, helping determine the currency of the source.
• 😀 Book citations generally include the author(s), publication date, title, place of publication, and publisher.
• 😀 You can search for books using the author's name or the book title in a library catalog.
• 😀 Article citations contain additional details such as the article title, journal title, volume, issue number, and page numbers.
• 😀 Citation styles visually distinguish article titles from journal titles, with APA style using italics for the journal title.
• 😀 Other types of sources like webpages and conference proceedings have specific citation formats; consult the appropriate style manual for these.

Q & A

Why are citations important in research?

Citations are important because they demonstrate that the information in a paper or project comes from authoritative sources, helping to establish credibility and accuracy.

What do citations function like in research?

Citations function like a map, guiding you to the sources of information that will be useful in your research.

What are some of the common elements in citations across different styles?

Common elements in citations include the author(s), date of publication, and specific details about the type of publication, such as the title, publisher, and additional identifiers like volume or issue number.

What is meant by 'authorship' in a citation?

Authorship refers to who is responsible for the intellectual content in the source. This can be an individual or a group, such as a committee or organization.

How does a book citation typically differ from an article citation?

A book citation typically includes the author(s), date of publication, title, place of publication, and publisher. An article citation includes additional details such as the article title, journal title, volume number, issue number, and page numbers.

How can you search for a book using its citation?

You can search for a book by using the author's name or the book's title in your library catalog.

What distinguishes the article title from the journal title in APA style?

In APA style, the article title is written in standard typeface, while the journal title is written in italics.

What other types of publications have special citation elements?

Other types of publications, such as webpages, conference proceedings, and book reviews, have additional citation elements. It's important to consult the appropriate citation style manual for these specific elements.

Why might citation styles vary across disciplines?

Citation styles vary to meet the specific needs and conventions of different disciplines, ensuring that the most relevant information is highlighted in the way most suited to the type of work being done.

What should you do if you're unsure about the correct citation format for a particular source?

If unsure, refer to the appropriate citation style manual for guidance. Each manual provides detailed rules on how to format citations for various types of sources.