Research: Citations/References

Citations/References

There are many types of citations or references format. These are:

APA- American Psychological Association

 Chicago manual of referencing style

MLA- Modern Language Association

Turabian citation style

CSE- Council of Science Editor, etc.

 

Among all these, APA and MLA are the most pronounced and commonly used reference styles in a research work. The American Psychological Association (APA style) is the most frequently used style in research works especially in the field social sciences and education. MLA format is often used by those in Language and physical sciences.

APA style is also known as “triple entry style.” We are going to treat their formats in details under reference section. These styles are periodically reviewed by the associations in their respective manual. APA manual is known as the Manual of the American Psychological Association. The latest edition is 6^th edition released in 2010. On the other hands, MLA released publication is known as the Handbook of Modern Language Association. Its latest edition is 8^th edition released in 2016.

 

Reasons for citing or documenting sources in a research work?

As stated in the sixth edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, when writing a paper, we often build upon the information and ideas of others. When information is borrowed from others, we must give them credit. APA and MLA require that information should be cited in two different ways namely:

 

1. Within the text (in-text citation), and;

2. in a reference list at the end of the paper.

 

The reference list should be on a new page; double spaced, using the hanging indent method (all lines after the first one are indented). According to the APA Manual 6^th ed., citing sources accomplishes the following:

 

1. Provides a way to give proper credit to the sources used in writing the paper.

2. Enables the reader to find the information for themselves.

3. Adds credibility and provides strength for your arguments.

 

When to Cite or Document Sources?

According to the APA Manual 6^th ed., credit must be given whenever:

 

1. Quoting from a source (copying from the source word for word).

2. Summarizing or rephrasing information from a source into one's own words.

 

Reference/Citation Methods

APA style requires two elements as we have noted:

 

 In-text References or Citations: This is located in the text of the paper which tells the reader what information was borrowed and where it came from.

In-text references use author’s surname followed immediately by the copyright year in brackets within the sentence or provides the author's surname and copyright year in brackets at the end of the sentence before the period.

Example:

According to Eze (2015), in any state where there is no social security armed security becomes inevitable among ruling class.

Or

In any state where there is no social security armed security becomes inevitable among ruling class (Eze, 2015).

Quoting information copied word for word. Use the author's surname followed immediately by the copyright year (year of publication) in brackets and the page from which the information was copied before the quote with quotation mark on it or provide the author's surname, copyright year, and page in brackets at the end of the sentence before the period.

Example:

Eze (2015:25) opines that “in any state where there is no social security armed security becomes inevitable among ruling class”.

Or

“In any state where is no social security armed security becomes inevitable among ruling class” (Eze, 2015: 25).

 

As stated in the APA Manual 6^th ed., any quotation that is up to forty (40) or more words should be in block quotations. It should display it in a freestanding block of text and omit the quotation marks. Indent the block about a half inch from the left margin. Do not use quotation marks to enclose block quotations.

 

Example of block quotation

According to Machiavelli (1999:74),

 

the first opinion that is formed of a ruler’s intelligence is based on the quality of the men he has around him. When they are competent and loyal, he can always be considered wise, because he has been able to recognize their competence and to keep them loyal. But when they are otherwise, the Prince is always open to adverse criticism, because his first mistake has been in the choice of his ministers.

 

List of References: Located at the end of the paper, it tells the reader what sources were used to write the paper and provides complete information about the sources in the in-text references and the list of references that work together to give complete credit to the sources that are used in writing the paper. The in-text reference in the paper should correspond with the beginning of the citation in the list of references (APA, 6^th ed.). © Oformatism