How to Use Citation Machine for APA Citations

Abbey Gandhi
24 Sept 202006:10

TLDRThis tutorial introduces Citation Machine, a free online tool for creating APA citations. It highlights the ease of use and the importance of accurate citation in academic work, especially for science and social science students. The video walks through the process of creating a citation for a website, emphasizing the need to verify and correct automatically gathered information for accuracy. It also explains how to generate a references page, manage multiple citations, and the option to create in-text citations, concluding with a note on the importance of saving work regularly due to the tool's lack of auto-save functionality.

Takeaways

  • 📘 Citation Machine is a free online tool for creating APA citations.
  • 📚 It's accessible for students and everyone else without a premium price.
  • 💰 The website generates revenue through ads, keeping the service free.
  • 🔍 Default setting in Citation Machine is often APA, which is ideal for science and social science students.
  • 📰 When citing, choose the correct source type (e.g., journal article instead of website) even if accessed online.
  • 🔗 Copy and paste the URL of the source material directly into Citation Machine.
  • ✍️ Check the automatically gathered citation details for accuracy and make necessary corrections.
  • 📅 Verify the publication and access dates to ensure citation accuracy.
  • 📝 Citation Machine allows for the creation of in-text citations in addition to references.
  • 📊 The tool can generate a full, alphabetized, and properly formatted references page.
  • 💾 Regularly copy and paste citations into a separate document to avoid losing work, as Citation Machine does not save progress automatically.

Q & A

  • What is Citation Machine and how does it differ from EasyBib?

    -Citation Machine is a free website that allows users to create citations in various formats, including APA, without paying a premium price. Unlike EasyBib, which is also a citation tool, Citation Machine does not require a subscription for students to use its basic features.

  • Why is it important to use APA format for certain subjects?

    -APA format is commonly used in science and social science fields. It is important to use it because it provides a consistent and standardized way to cite sources, which helps in avoiding plagiarism and ensuring proper credit is given to the original authors.

  • How do you begin creating a citation on Citation Machine?

    -To create a citation, you start by clicking on 'Create Citation' on the Citation Machine homepage. Then, you select the type of source you are using, such as a journal article or a website, and enter the necessary details or the URL of the source.

  • What should you do if the automatically gathered citation information is incorrect?

    -If the automatically gathered information is incorrect, you should manually review and edit the details to ensure accuracy. For example, you might need to correct the author's name or the title of the article based on the actual source.

  • How can you ensure that your citations are properly formatted and alphabetized?

    -After completing all the citations, you can use the 'Export All' feature on Citation Machine to generate a references page that is automatically alphabetized and properly formatted. This can then be copied into your document or project.

  • What is the significance of in-text citations and how do you create them on Citation Machine?

    -In-text citations are used to give credit to the source within the body of your text. They help readers locate the full citation in your references page. On Citation Machine, you can create in-text citations by clicking the appropriate button and following the steps to input the necessary information.

  • How can you avoid losing your work on Citation Machine?

    -Since Citation Machine does not save your work automatically, it is recommended to periodically copy and paste your citations into a separate document to prevent loss of data in case you navigate away from the page or encounter a technical issue.

  • What is the role of sponsored messages on Citation Machine?

    -Sponsored messages are a way for Citation Machine to generate revenue, allowing the platform to remain free for users. Users are required to view these messages to support the service.

  • How does Citation Machine handle different types of sources?

    -Citation Machine provides options for various types of sources, such as journal articles, websites, newspapers, online databases, films, etc. Users select the type of source they are citing and provide the necessary details for accurate citation generation.

  • What is the default citation style on Citation Machine?

    -The default citation style on Citation Machine is APA, which is suitable for many academic purposes, especially in science and social science disciplines.

  • How can you obtain a reference page version of your citation?

    -If you need a reference page version of your citation, you can click 'Copy Citation' after completing the citation process. This will provide you with the formatted citation that can be pasted into your document or references page.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Citation Machine

This paragraph introduces the Citation Machine, a free online tool for creating citations. It contrasts Citation Machine with EasyBib, another well-known citation resource, highlighting that while both are free, Citation Machine offers the unique advantage of creating APA citations without a premium subscription. The speaker explains that APA is a commonly required citation style in science and social science classes and proceeds to guide the audience through the process of using Citation Machine. The paragraph sets the stage for a tutorial on selecting the appropriate source type, entering source details, and generating accurate citations.

05:02

🔍 Using Citation Machine for Website Citations

In this paragraph, the speaker delves into the specifics of citing a website using Citation Machine. The tutorial continues by demonstrating how to select the correct source type, which in this case is a website. The speaker emphasizes the importance of accurately inputting the URL and provides an example using a specific article. The paragraph also covers how to correct any automatically gathered information that may be incorrect, such as the author's name, ensuring proper attribution. The speaker then guides the audience through the final steps of completing the citation, verifying publication and access dates, and handling sponsored messages. The paragraph concludes with instructions on how to manage and export the completed references page or individual citations.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Citation Machine

Citation Machine is a free online tool designed to help students and researchers create citations in various formats, including APA. In the context of the video, it is highlighted as an accessible resource that does not require a premium subscription, unlike some other citation tools. The video provides a step-by-step guide on how to use Citation Machine to create APA citations, emphasizing its ease of use and the accuracy it provides in formatting citations correctly.

💡APA Citations

APA Citations refer to the citation style developed by the American Psychological Association, widely used in academic writing, particularly in the social and behavioral sciences. The video focuses on teaching the use of APA format because it is a common requirement in science classes. APA Citations include in-text citations and a reference page, with specific rules for formatting authors' names, titles, and publication information.

💡Easybib

Easybib is another online citation tool that is mentioned in the video as a familiar resource for many students. While Easybib is free for OCDSB students, it is noted that Citation Machine is free for everyone, making it an appealing alternative. The comparison between Easybib and Citation Machine serves to introduce the specific features and accessibility of Citation Machine.

💡Create Citations

The process of 'Creating Citations' is the primary focus of the video. It involves selecting the type of source material, such as a journal article or a website, and inputting relevant details to generate a properly formatted citation. The video provides instructions on navigating Citation Machine to create citations, ensuring accuracy and adherence to APA guidelines.

💡Journal Article

A 'Journal Article' is a type of academic publication that presents research findings, discussions, or scholarly commentary. In the context of the video, it is one of the source types that users can select when creating citations in Citation Machine. The presenter clarifies that even if a journal article is accessed online, it is still categorized as such for citation purposes, emphasizing the importance of correctly identifying the source type.

💡URL

The 'URL', or Uniform Resource Locator, is the address of a webpage. In the video, it is the piece of information that users must input into Citation Machine when creating citations for online sources. The URL is crucial as it directs the citation tool to the correct webpage, enabling it to generate accurate citation details.

💡Reference Page

A 'Reference Page' is a list of all the sources cited in an academic paper, formatted according to specific citation styles. In APA format, it includes authors' last names and first initials, publication titles, publication dates, and other relevant information. The video emphasizes the importance of having a correctly formatted reference page and shows how Citation Machine can help users create one that is alphabetized and properly formatted.

💡In-text Citations

In-text Citations are brief references to sources within the body of a written work, indicating where information has been borrowed from. They typically include the author's last name and the publication year in APA format. The video explains that Citation Machine can also generate in-text citations, in addition to full reference page entries, to assist with proper citation throughout an academic paper.

💡Sponsored Messages

Sponsored Messages refer to advertisements or promotional content that users may encounter while using a free online service, like Citation Machine. In the video, it is mentioned that viewing these sponsored messages helps keep the Citation Machine service free for users. Users are advised to view these messages to continue using the citation tool without charge.

💡Export All

The 'Export All' feature in Citation Machine allows users to compile and save all their generated citations at once. This function creates an alphabetized and properly formatted reference page that users can then copy and paste into their documents. The video emphasizes the convenience of this feature for organizing and submitting academic work with all necessary citations.

💡Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's words, ideas, or work without proper attribution, which is considered unethical and is often punishable in academic settings. The video makes a point to distinguish between the citation creation function of Citation Machine and a plagiarism checker, clarifying that the tool is for creating citations, not for scanning papers to detect plagiarism.

Highlights

Introduction to Citation Machine for creating APA citations.

Citation Machine is free for students and everyone.

It generates APA citations without a premium price.

The default setting in Citation Machine is APA.

Select the type of source you are using, such as journal or website.

For website citations, input the URL directly.

Example given: Citing an article by Pulido for a science class.

Ensure the article name and author details are correct.

Correct any mistakes in the automatically gathered citation information.

Citation Machine checks for accidental plagiarism.

View sponsored messages to keep using Citation Machine for free.

Delete duplicate citations on the reference page.

Create in-text citations if required.

Export the entire references page once all citations are completed.

The references page is alphabetized and properly formatted.

Periodically copy and paste citations into a separate document to avoid losing work.

Citation Machine does not require login, so there is no automatic saving of work.

Instructions on how to use Citation Machine effectively for research projects.