It is easy for students to get lost in the process of referencing and citations.
Academic writing can be complex as It requires more than just great ideas and a well-structured paper. It also demands a keen understanding of citation styles.
These styles are the backbone of academic writing, ensuring that knowledge is properly credited and ideas are built upon a solid foundation. Proper citation not only helps avoid plagiarism but also adds to the credibility of the text.
In this blog post, we'll not only explore the different citation styles but also discuss their importance and the differences that distinguish them.
So, let’s dive right in!
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A citation style, at its core, is a structured set of rules and guidelines that dictate how sources should be cited in academic and research papers.
It is like a map for writers. It helps them give credit to other authors, show where their ideas came from, and make it easy for readers to find the sources.
Here is why students should cite their essays and assignments:
Purpose of Using Citations:
Citations in academic writing are crucial for honesty, clear communication, and allowing readers to verify information sources. They are the foundation of academic integrity.
Consequences of Not Using Citations:
Not including citations in your paper can result in plagiarism. It is a serious academic offense with consequences like damaging your reputation, academic penalties, and potential expulsion.
Proper citations not only prevent plagiarism but also establish your research as credible and reliable.
Depending on the field of study and academic preferences, there are numerous citation styles available.
Here are some of the most commonly used citation styles and their specific characteristics:
Selecting the right citation style for your paper is a critical decision that significantly impacts how your work is perceived and evaluated.
You should consider the following factors when choosing the citation style for your research:
Field of Study:
Different academic disciplines have their preferred citation styles. For instance, APA is commonly used for social sciences, while MLA is prevalent in literature.
Academic Requirements:
Ensure you follow the specific citation style requirements set by your institution, professor, or publication to which you are submitting your work.
These factors can also help maintain consistency and credibility in your writing.
Let’s take a look at the table below to help you determine the citation style according to your academic discipline:
Academic Discipline | Standard Citation Style(s) |
Humanities | |
Literature | MLA, Chicago |
History | Chicago, APA, MLA |
Philosophy | MLA, Chicago, APA |
Art and Art History | Chicago, MLA |
Social Sciences | |
Psychology | APA, Chicago |
Sociology | ASA, APA, Chicago |
Political Science | APSA, Chicago |
Economics | APA, Chicago |
Natural Sciences | |
Biology | CSE, APA |
Chemistry | ACS, APA |
Physics | APS, APA |
Earth Sciences | APA |
Engineering | |
Mechanical | IEEE |
Civil | IEEE |
Computer Science | IEEE, APA |
Health Sciences | |
Medicine | AMA, APA |
Nursing | APA, AMA |
Public Health | AMA, APA |
Business | |
Management | APA, Chicago |
Marketing | APA, Chicago |
Finance | APA, Chicago |
Citation styles have specific rules for paper formatting, references, in-text citations, appendices, and list entries.
There are also distinct in-text citation methods:
Remember, each citation style has its unique in-text citation and reference list format. Understanding them is crucial when working with different styles.
Let’s dive into different citation styles and see what requirements they have that you need to keep in mind while creating your references!
The APA citation style is widely recognized and preferred by researchers and students alike. Its clarity and precision make it a top choice, especially in fields of social sciences.
However, it's important to note that the APA style has evolved, with notable differences between the 6th and 7th editions.
Here is a table to help you understand the difference:
Aspect | APA 6th Edition | APA 7th Edition |
Title Page | Includes the title of the paper, author's name, institutional affiliation, and author note. | Similar but more simplified. Includes the title of the paper, author's name, and institutional affiliation, eliminating the author's note. |
Header | Every page should have a header featuring a concise essay title. | No change remains consistent in both editions. |
In-Text Citations | In-text citations include the author's last name and the publication year (e.g., Williams, 2014). | Introduces a simplified approach. In most cases, it uses the author's last name and the publication year, eliminating the need for a specific page number. |
Reference Entry | The reference entry should include the author's last name, the initials of their first name, the publication year, the title of the work, and the source. | No significant change remains largely consistent between the 6th and 7th editions. |
Let’s take a look at the examples to help you have a better understanding of this citation style:
APA 6th Edition In-text Citation: (Johnson, 2015) Johnson, M. L. (2015). The impact of climate change on biodiversity. Environmental Science Journal, 25(3), 345-359. APA 7th Edition In-text Citation: (Johnson, 2015) Citation: |
The MLA citation style differs from APA and is prevalent in fields like art, literature, and linguistics.
Key MLA citation style features include:
MLA style is often viewed as more straightforward than other citation styles, as it eliminates the need for a separate title page.
Here is an example of a citation of a journal in MLA format:
In-text Citation: (Johnson 347) Citation: Johnson, Mary L. "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity." Environmental Science Journal, vol. 25, no. 3, 2015, pp. 345-359. |
The Chicago citation style is primarily used in the field of history. It encompasses both Chicago and Turabian citation styles, with slight distinctions.
Key aspects of Chicago and Turabian citation styles include:
This citation style is known for its precision and is predominantly employed in historical subjects.
Here is an example of citations in the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) for a journal article:
In-text Citation: (Johnson 2015, 347) Citation: Johnson, Mary L. 2015. "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity." Environmental Science Journal 25, no. 3: 345-359. |
The IEEE citation style is specialized for technical and engineering fields. It prioritizes brevity and numerical citations.
Important considerations for IEEE citation are:
Let’s take a look at the following example of IEEE citation style;
In-text Citation: [1] Citation: [1] M. L. Johnson, "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity," Environmental Science Journal, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 345-359, 2015. |
The ASA citation style is commonly used in sociology. It shares certain similarities with APA, especially in terms of title page formatting.
Key components of ASA citation include:
The ASA style, while somewhat resembling APA, features specific differences that should be carefully observed.
Here is an example of a journal citation in ASA format for a journal article:
In-text Citation: (Johnson 2015) Citation: Johnson, Mary L. 2015. "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity." Environmental Science Journal 25(3): 345-359. |
Harvard citation style is unofficial but widely used by students of economics and humanities. It bears similarities to APA but includes minor variations.
Key guidelines for Harvard citation comprise:
Although Harvard's citation style resembles APA, students should pay attention to the nuances that set them apart.
Let’s take a look at the citation of a journal article in Harvard Style;
In-text Citation: (Johnson 2015) Citation: Johnson, M. L. (2015). "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity." Environmental Science Journal, 25(3), 345-359. |
Oxford citation style, also known as OSCOLO, (the Oxford University Standard for the Citation of Legal Authorities), is primarily intended for law students but can be applied in other disciplines. This documentary note style incorporates footnotes.
Important elements of Oxford style citation include:
Oxford style citation varies from other styles, necessitating strict adherence to its established guidelines.
Here is an example of a journal article in Oxford citation style;
In-text Citation (Footnote) Mary L. Johnson, "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity," Environmental Science Journal 25, no. 3 (2015): 345. Citation: Johnson, Mary L. "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity." Environmental Science Journal 25, no. 3 (2015): 345-359. |
AMA style is specifically employed in the medical field. It employs a numerical citation system and is used to format publications and articles in medical journals.
Key elements of the AMA style include:
AMA style is reminiscent of the IEEE style, both employing numerical systems for citations and references.
Get a better insight into the AMA style by looking at the following example of a journal article:
In-text Citation: (Johnson 2015) Citation: Johnson ML. The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity. Environmental Science Journal. 2015;25(3):345-359. doi:10.12345/example-doi |
The ACS style caters to chemistry students, emphasizing precision and clarity.
Notable elements of ACS citation style encompass:
The citation structure adheres to the specific demands of chemistry research. ACS style, tailored to the chemistry field, is flexible in citation pattern selection.
Here's a journal article citation in the American Chemical Society (ACS) style:
In ACS, in-text citations typically use numbers enclosed in square brackets: In-text Citation: [1] Citation: Johnson, M. L. The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity. Environmental Science Journal 2015, 25, 345-359. |
The NLM style is versatile, offering three citation formats for various source types.
Key aspects of NLM citation style are:
NLM style is commonly employed for citing sources in medical journals and publications.
Let’s take a look at how to cite the same journal article in NLM style:
In-text Citation: (Johnson 2015) Citation: Johnson ML. The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity. Environmental Science Journal. 2015;25(3):345-359. |
The AAA style targets anthropology students. It draws inspiration from the Chicago Manual of Style but diverges in certain aspects.
Vital components of the AAA style include:
The AAA style distinguishes itself from the Chicago style, particularly in treating main titles.
Here's how to cite a journal article in AAA style:
In-text Citation: (Johnson 2015:347) Citation: |
The APSA style is specifically designed to be used by students and researchers of the political science field.
Key features of this style encompass:
Comprehending these details for each citation style empowers students and researchers to effectively apply the appropriate style to their academic and research work.
Citation styles play a pivotal role in ensuring the integrity and clarity of scholarly work.
Let’s take a look at how to cite a journal in APSA style:
In-text Citation: (Johnson 2015) Citation: Johnson, Mary L. 2015. "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity." Environmental Science Journal 25(3):345-359. |
Here are some helpful tips for writing citations:
So, there you have it!
In this detailed guide on different citation styles, we've learned their vital role in academic writing, explored various styles, and grasped how to pick the right one.
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There are two types of in-text citations used within the body of an APA paper to help your reader locate the corresponding reference list. Parenthetical citation is a brief note at the end or beginning of a sentence that cites source information, whereas narrative cite provides more detail about what was referenced.
IEEE citation style includes in-text citations, which refer to the full citation listed at the end of a paper. The reference list is organized numerically and not alphabetically.
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