In research writing, a citation refers to the act of acknowledging and referencing the sources of information used in the work. It allows readers to locate and verify the original sources, and also gives credit to the authors or creators of the information.
When citing materials like books, articles, and magazines, the specific format may vary depending on the citation style being used (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). Here are examples of how to cite information from these sources using APA style:
1. Books:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Initial. (Year). Title of Book. Publisher.
Example: Smith, J. (2021). The Art of Research Writing. ABC Publishing.
2. Articles:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Initial. (Year). Title of Article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), Page numbers. DOI or URL (if applicable).
Example: Johnson, A. (2020). The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity. Environmental Science Journal, 15(3), 123-145. doi:10.xxxx/xxxxx
3. Magazine articles:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Initial. (Year, Month Day). Title of Article. Title of Magazine, Page numbers.
Example: Brown, S. (2022, January 15). The Rise of E-commerce. Business Today, 25-28.
When citing information from internet sources, it is important to provide as much information as possible to ensure accuracy and credibility. Here are examples of how to cite internet sources using APA style:
1. Websites:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Initial. (Year, Month Day). Title of Webpage. Site Name. URL
Example: Johnson, M. (2021, July 10). The Importance of Exercise. Health and Wellness. https://www.healthandwellness.com/importance-of-exercise
2. Online articles:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Initial. (Year, Month Day). Title of Article. Site Name. URL
Example: Smith, J. (2020, November 5). The Future of Artificial Intelligence. Tech Insights. https://www.techinsights.com/future-of-ai
3. Online journals:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Initial. (Year). Title of Article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), Page numbers. DOI or URL (if applicable).
Example: Johnson, A. (2021). The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health. Journal of Psychology, 10(2), 45-60. doi:10.xxxx/xxxxx
It is important to note that different citation styles may have slight variations in formatting and punctuation. Therefore, it is essential to consult the specific style guide recommended by your institution or publisher for accurate citation guidelines.