Why was the References and Citations in Text document changed?

In our complex information environment, teaching students to credit their sources of information is essential. Teacher-Librarians and teachers need to work together to ensure that students are ethically responsible and credit others for their ideas.

Why use the American Psychological Association (APA) format regarding references?

It is the most widely recognized and authoritative source for references and citations in research work. This format is used in local universities.

What are the major changes from the previous References and Citations in Text document?

1. Allow one space after periods and colons.

2. Use a continuous underline from periodical title through volume number (underline the commas before and after the volume number).

3. Use only the author's initial(s) e.g., Koh, M.-L. (a hyphenated first name).

4. Capitalize only the first word of the title, sub-title and any proper names. Do not underline or put in quotations. This applies to all book and periodical article titles.

5. Do not use the word "Vol." before the number.

6. When a URL is at the end of an entry, do not use a period to complete the entity.

7. If a periodical includes a volume number, underline it, and then give the page range without a "p." or a "pp.". If the periodical does not use volume numbers, include a "p." or a "pp."..

Are personal communications included in a reference list?

Personal communications include e-mail, discussion groups, messages from electronic bulletin boards, letters, telephone conversations, etc. Since they cannot be located, most personal communications are mentioned in the text of a paper only.

However, scholarly electronic references may be cited in the reference list.

How have citations of quotations changed?

Quotations of less than 40 words are included in the text and enclosed by double quotation marks. Quotations of more than 40 words in a double-space block of typewritten lines with no quotation marks. Indentation should be 5-7 spaces from the left margin.

The following URLs can be consulted for further information:
http://1ongman.awl.com/eng1ishpages/citafion.htm

http://www.apap.org/journals/webref.html

http://www.apa.org/journa1s/faq.htm1