Are you wondering how to cite with APA standards? Here we explain it to you
Do you have to write your thesis or a research article following the APA rules? The best thing you can do is learn how to cite with APA standards, because it is an act that you cannot avoid or avoid.
A research paper needs sources of information and you can only name them and make use of what they say by quoting. Here we explain what it is and how to do it.
What is a date?
Lets start by the beginning. a date is a idea that you subtract from a document, book, previous research, magazine (and stop counting sources) so that you lay the foundations of your research.
But you must not quote for the sake of citing or do it indiscriminately: citations should be supplemented with other data so that the reader can access the main source of information (if needed) and also to show that you do not want to take the work of others but, on the contrary, subtract their work so much that you give them space in your research.
The American Psychological Association (APA) has established the format in which write and publish the textual citations and what are those reference "data" that you must include so that the reader can locate where the information comes from.
Why should we quote?
Although we do not doubt that you have a very good command of the topic you are writing about, all research is based on previous foundations that help establish what you are writing about, your hypothesis, and the value of your degree work.
Using quotes is important because:
- They expand the text, although this does not mean fill out the dating document left and right just to increase the volume of your research.
- Reinforce or clarify an idea. You have something to say, but you need to back it up with the insights and thoughts of a third-party expert in the area.
- Argue or refer to information sources. Sometimes an idea needs support from another idea or, on the contrary, it is necessary to give it contrast.
- Start a discussion. A good debate always begins with the words of a third party who really understands the subject.
- Give a definition. With actual words or with your own. This way you put the reader in context.
What is quoted?
Absolutely everything and from every source you can imagine. You mention the strangest source imaginable and we assure you that the APA has already considered how to cite it.
In this sense, it is quoted:
- Ideas, opinions and theories of a third party.
- Data, statistics, graphs, images...
- Reference to what was declared by someone else.
- The paraphrasing of what was said by a third party.
when you quote something you are giving credence to what he says. You could also be against it and want to make his words clear before refuting him with the information you have.
It is important to learn to cite to avoid being accused of plagiarism, that is, the illegal taking of ideas from third parties. This could cause academic and legal problems.
How to cite with APA standards
The APA has very clear and detailed rules on how to make citations. Although the data you must share could change depending on the source of information, the Date-Author format is always used, which consists of always indicating the year of publication of the information you want to cite and the author's last name.
Never forget that each of the texts you cite must be included in the list of bibliographical references. Otherwise, the appointment is rejected and you must withdraw it from your investigation.
undercitation (few citations) and overcitation (excess citations)
To learn how to cite with apa norms, you must learn what are the types of citations in this format as they will help you identify how to mention the data.
This is how we have:
- Verbatim quotes: The author's words are reproduced one by one. Its presentation changes according to its size: if the number of quoted words is greater than 40, the quote is made outside the paragraph; if it is 40 words or less, the citation is made within the text.
- Paraphrased quotes: They are those in which you use your own words to make the ideas of an author known. Even if it's about something you wrote, it was taken from someone else, so you should give proper credit.
With this clear, it is important that you know:
- Narrative quotes: Also known as author-based citation. At the beginning of the sentence the name of the author of the quote is included followed by the year of publication of the work, this in parentheses.
- Parenthetical quote: They are text-based quotes. Both the name of the author and the date of publication of the work are written in parentheses.
Although the apa rules are very clear about how to cite with apa rules, it is important that you know that the creativity of the author, now a writer, should not be restricted. His text must be astute and dynamic, so citations in different ways are allowed as long as the author's name, the year of publication of the work, and the number of the publication are included. page where the information can be found.
Depending on the source
If you have to cite traditional sources, that's fine, but things get tricky when the sources are very varied.
For example, to cite corporations, institutions, or foundations, you must take the organization as the corporate author. Its name is abbreviated only if it is a world-renowned organization. Otherwise, the full name should be written in the first citation and its initials should be added in parentheses. If you mention that source again, you can use the abbreviation.
The citation format also changes depending on the number of authors the source has.
Another rare scenario, but one that can happen, is that you want to cite two or more sources signed by the same author and published in the same year. Clearly, this will confuse the reader of your research.
For these scenarios, the APA offers accurate and concrete guidance so that your research work does not suffer setbacks and no one dares to dismiss your research on technical grounds. Remember: open your eyes and follow the APA standards so that you present a quality work.