APA citation & referencing for beginners

NUSTNamibia Library
20 Apr 202157:47

TLDRThis presentation introduces APA citation and referencing for beginners, emphasizing the importance of proper citation to avoid plagiarism and give credit to original authors. It outlines the basic rules of APA style, including in-text citations, reference list entries, and the changes in the 7th edition. The presentation also clarifies how to cite multiple authors, group authors, and sources without authors, as well as various types of sources such as periodicals, online content, and multimedia.

Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ“š APA citation is a writing style used by many universities, including MUST.
  • ๐Ÿ” A citation is a reference to the source of information used in your research, acknowledging the original author's work.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Not citing your sources can lead to plagiarism, which is a serious academic offense.
  • ๐Ÿงฉ The importance of citing sources includes giving credit to authors, allowing others to locate your sources, and avoiding plagiarism.
  • โœ๏ธ APA referencing consists of in-text citations and a reference list, with the 7th edition being the current standard.
  • ๐Ÿ“ In-text citations typically include the author's surname and year of publication, with specific rules for multiple authors.
  • ๐Ÿ“‹ The reference list is organized alphabetically by the author's surname and should be double-spaced with a hanging indent.
  • ๐Ÿ“– For works with multiple authors, use 'et al.' for three or more authors and list all authors for two.
  • ๐Ÿ”— URLs are included in the reference list for electronic sources, and DOIs are preferred when available.
  • ๐ŸŽฅ For multimedia sources like videos and films, include the creator's name, year, title, format, and streaming service or production company.
  • ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ Artwork citations require the artist's name, year, title, medium, museum details, and URL of the source.

Q & A

  • What is the definition of citation in the context of academic writing?

    -Citation is a reference to the source of information used in your research. It is a way of acknowledging or giving credit to the original source of the information, ideas, or quotes that you have incorporated into your work.

  • Why is it important to cite sources in academic writing?

    -Citing sources is important for three main reasons: it gives proper credit to the authors of the original work, it allows others to locate the sources you used for further research or verification, and it helps you avoid plagiarism by acknowledging the work of others.

  • What is considered plagiarism in academic writing?

    -Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own without giving proper acknowledgment. This includes copying and pasting, paraphrasing, or summarizing another person's work without proper citation.

  • What are the two components of APA referencing style?

    -The two components of APA referencing style are in-text citations and the reference list. In-text citations acknowledge the sources within the body of the work, while the reference list provides detailed information about all sources cited at the end of the document.

  • How has APA referencing changed from the 6th to the 7th edition?

    -In the 7th edition of APA referencing, changes include the use of 'et al.' for in-text citations with three or more authors, the omission of the place of publication in reference list entries, and the inclusion of DOIs in a specific format, among other minor adjustments.

  • How do you cite a source with multiple authors in APA style?

    -For in-text citations with two authors, both surnames are used with an ampersand. For three or more authors, only the first author's surname is used followed by 'et al.'. In the reference list, up to 20 authors' names are listed with the surname and initials, followed by an ellipsis for any additional authors.

  • What should you do if a source does not have a known author?

    -If a source does not have a known author, you start the reference with the title of the work, followed by the date of publication. If the work is signed as 'anonymous', you can use 'Anonymous' in the citation.

  • How do you cite a direct quote in APA style?

    -A direct quote in APA style requires the use of quotation marks and the inclusion of the page number where the quote can be found. The citation follows the quoted text, including the author's surname and the publication year, followed by 'p.' and the page number.

  • What is the proper format for citing a book in APA reference list?

    -For a book citation in APA, list the author's surname and initials, the publication year in brackets, the title of the book in italics, the publisher's name, and a DOI number if available.

  • How do you reference a journal article in APA style?

    -For a journal article, include the author's surname and initials, the publication year in brackets, the title of the article in normal case, the title of the journal in italics, the volume and issue numbers, the page numbers, and the DOI or URL if it's an online source.

  • What are the basic guidelines for creating a reference list in APA style?

    -The reference list should be on a separate page, labeled 'References' in bold and centered. It should be double-spaced, arranged alphabetically by the author's surname, and each entry should be indented with a hanging indent. The list should not include numbers and should follow the specific formatting rules for each type of source cited.

Outlines

00:00

๐Ÿ“š Introduction to APA Citation

The paragraph introduces the concept of APA (American Psychological Association) citation, emphasizing its importance in academic writing. It explains that citation is a reference to the source of information used in research, acknowledging the work of others to avoid plagiarism. The speaker clarifies that personal ideas do not need citation unless previously published. The significance of citation is highlighted, including giving credit to authors, assisting others in locating sources, and preventing plagiarism.

05:01

๐Ÿšซ Understanding Plagiarism

This section delves into the definition of plagiarism, describing it as the act of presenting someone else's work or ideas as one's own without proper acknowledgment. It covers different forms of plagiarism, including both intentional and unintentional instances. The speaker warns of the disciplinary consequences of plagiarism under NAS regulations and stresses the importance of consistent citation to avoid it.

10:02

๐Ÿ”„ APA Referencing System

The speaker explains the APA referencing system, noting its two main components: in-text citations and reference list entries. The paragraph outlines the changes from the APA 6th to the 7th edition, such as the inclusion of multiple authors, the omission of the place of publication, and the updated format for DOIs and URLs. The speaker emphasizes the need to adhere to the latest edition for proper citation practices.

15:04

โœ๏ธ In-Text Citation Mechanics

This part provides a detailed guide on how to create in-text citations, stressing the need for a corresponding entry in the reference list for every citation. It explains the use of the author's surname and publication year in citations, with examples for summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting from a source. The paragraph clarifies the proper formatting for citations, including the use of commas, brackets, and page numbers.

20:04

๐Ÿ“– Citing Various Sources

The paragraph discusses the citation of different types of sources, including books, journal articles, organizational authors, and sources without dates. It provides specific examples for each case, highlighting the correct format for citing authors, organizations, and handling situations where the publication date is unknown. The speaker ensures clarity on how to properly acknowledge various sources in academic writing.

25:05

๐Ÿ”„ Citing Multiple Authors

This section focuses on the rules for citing works by multiple authors, explaining how to list authors' names and surnames in the narrative and in brackets. It details the use of 'et al.' for sources with three or more authors and the correct citation format for a range of authorship scenarios. The speaker also clarifies the reference list entry format for multiple authors, reinforcing the importance of accurate citation practices.

30:08

๐Ÿ“‹ Reference List Formatting

The speaker outlines the proper formatting for the reference list, including its placement at the end of the paper, labeling, centering, and double-spacing. It specifies the alphabetical arrangement by the author's surname and the use of hanging indents. The paragraph provides examples of reference list entries for single and multiple authors, emphasizing the correct order and presentation of publication details.

35:08

๐Ÿ“Œ Handling Special Citation Cases

This part addresses special citation scenarios, such as group authors, unknown authors, and multiple works by the same author in the same year. It explains how to list entries by the same author, differentiate between works with and without publication dates, and handle multiple works published in the same year. The speaker ensures that all possible citation cases are covered for comprehensive understanding.

40:11

๐ŸŽฅ Citing Audiovisual and Electronic Sources

The final section covers the citation of non-traditional sources like electronic resources, online content, streaming videos, films, TV series episodes, and artwork from museum websites. It provides specific guidelines for citing these sources, including the format for titles, mediums, and URLs. The speaker ensures that the audience is equipped with the knowledge to cite a wide range of materials accurately.

Mindmap

Citation as Acknowledgment
Avoiding Plagiarism
Giving Credit to Authors
Definition and Importance of Citation
In-Text Citations
Reference List
Components of APA Referencing
Transition from APA 6th to 7th Edition
Multiple Authors
APA Edition Changes
APA Referencing System
Single Author
Two Authors
Multiple Authors
In-Text Citation Examples
Book Citation
Journal Article
Online Sources
Reference List Entries
Citing Sources
Group or Organizational Authors
Unknown Authors
Same Author, Multiple Works
Special Citation Cases
APA Citation & Referencing for Beginners
Alert

Keywords

๐Ÿ’กCitation

A citation is a reference to the source of information used in one's research or academic work. It is a crucial part of academic writing as it acknowledges the original authors and gives credit for their ideas or words. In the context of the video, citations are discussed as a necessary component of APA style, which must be included anytime a student quotes, paraphrases, or summarizes another person's work within their assignment or thesis. Proper citation helps avoid plagiarism and allows others to locate the sources used.

๐Ÿ’กAPA Style

APA Style refers to the guidelines for formatting and citing sources in academic writing, established by the American Psychological Association. It includes rules for in-text citations, reference lists, and general formatting of papers. The video specifically addresses the transition from APA's sixth to its seventh edition, highlighting changes in citation rules, such as the handling of multiple authors and the omission of the place of publication in reference lists. APA Style is widely used in the social sciences and is essential for maintaining consistency and credibility in academic writing.

๐Ÿ’กPlagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else's work or ideas as one's own without proper acknowledgment. It is considered a serious academic offense and can result in disciplinary action. The video outlines that plagiarism can be intentional, reckless, or unintentional, and it emphasizes the importance of proper citation to avoid it. By crediting the original authors and using one's own words, a writer can prevent plagiarism and maintain academic integrity.

๐Ÿ’กIn-text Citation

An in-text citation is a brief reference within the body of a text that indicates where the information originated. It typically includes the author's last name and the year of publication, allowing readers to locate the full citation in the reference list. In the video, in-text citations are described as essential for acknowledging sources and are a fundamental part of APA Style. They serve as a link between the narrative of the text and the corresponding reference list entry, ensuring that readers can่ฟฝๆบฏ the origins of the information presented.

๐Ÿ’กReference List

A reference list is a comprehensive collection of all the sources cited within a piece of academic writing. It is typically found at the end of a paper and provides detailed information about each source, enabling others to locate and verify the original works. The video explains that entries in the reference list must correspond to all in-text citations and must follow the specific formatting rules of APA Style, including the order of authors' names, publication dates, and titles.

๐Ÿ’กAuthor's Last Name

In the context of APA citation, the author's last name is a critical piece of information used to identify the source of a citation. It is included in both in-text citations and reference list entries to attribute the work being cited to the correct individual or group. The video explains that the author's last name is always paired with the publication year in in-text citations and is the primary means of organizing entries in the reference list.

๐Ÿ’กPublication Year

The publication year refers to the date when a work, such as a book, article, or research paper, was made available to the public. In academic writing and APA citation, the publication year is essential as it helps to identify the specific edition or version of a work being cited. It is included in in-text citations and reference list entries to provide context and enable readers to locate the exact source used.

๐Ÿ’กMultiple Authors

When a source has more than one author, APA citation rules specify how to properly acknowledge all contributors in both in-text citations and reference list entries. The video explains that for in-text citations with three or more authors, only the first author's name should be mentioned followed by 'et al.' Additionally, for reference list entries with up to 20 authors, all names should be listed, and for more than 20 authors, the first 19 names should be listed followed by an ellipsis and the final author's name. This ensures that all authors receive credit for their work and that the citation remains manageable within the constraints of the citation format.

๐Ÿ’กDOIs and URLs

DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) and URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) are unique identifiers used to reference electronic documents, such as journal articles and web pages. In APA citation, DOIs and URLs provide a direct link to the source material, allowing readers to access the content easily. The video explains that for electronic works with a DOI, the reference should include the DOI format (https://doi.org/ followed by the number), and for works without a DOI or direct linking URL, the reference should be the same as for a printed version. The use of DOIs and URLs is an important aspect of citing online sources accurately.

๐Ÿ’กDirect Quotes

A direct quote is an exact reproduction of a portion of text from the original source, used in academic writing to provide evidence, emphasize a point, or convey an idea precisely as the original author intended. The video explains that when including a direct quote in one's work, it must be enclosed in quotation marks and the page number from the original source must be cited to indicate the exact location of the quote. This practice is essential for maintaining the integrity of the original work and for readers to verify the information.

๐Ÿ’กBlock Quotes

A block quote is a formatting technique used for direct quotations that are longer than 40 words. In APA citation, block quotes are displayed as an indented block of text without quotation marks and are followed by the citation in parentheses or brackets, including the author's last name, year of publication, and page number. This format allows for the clear distinction of the quoted material from the writer's own text and ensures that the original author's words are properly acknowledged.

Highlights

APA citation is a writing style used by many universities for academic work.

Citation is a reference to the source of information used in your research.

In-text citations acknowledge the source of information within the body of your assignment.

Citing sources is crucial to give credit to authors and avoid plagiarism.

APA referencing system consists of in-text citations and a reference list.

The latest edition, APA 7th edition, has updated rules for citations.

For three or more authors, in-text citations include only the first author's name followed by 'et al.'

References for works with no author should start with the title.

Direct quotes require the inclusion of page numbers in the citation.

Block quotes are used for direct quotations of 40 words or more.

The reference list should be on a separate page, labeled 'References' and double-spaced.

Entries in the reference list are arranged alphabetically by the author's surname.

For multiple works by the same author, list by year with earliest first.

If two works by the same author are from the same year, differentiate them with letter suffixes.

Electronic resources like web pages and online periodicals require the URL in the reference list entry.

Emails are cited parenthetically in the main text, not included in the reference list.

Reference list entries for videos and films include the format and production company.

Artwork citations require the artist's name, year, title, medium, museum details, and URL.

The presentation concludes with a comprehensive overview of APA citation and referencing for beginners.