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academic reference examples analysis formatting
Concise Guide to APA Style: 7th Edition (OFFICIAL)
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Deconstructing Academic References: A Critical Analysis
This analysis delves into the intricacies of academic reference formatting, drawing primarily from provided examples focusing on policy briefs, press releases, and dissertations/theses.
Understanding these formats is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and clarity.
Policy Briefs: Concise Communication of Research
The example provided, “Harwell, M. (2018).
Don’t expect too much: The limited usefulness of common SES measures and a prescription for change [Policy brief].
National Education Policy Center. https://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/SES,” showcases a typical policy brief reference.
Key components include the author, publication year, title, and the source (National Education Policy Center).
The inclusion of “[Policy brief]” clarifies the document type.
As the excerpt notes: “Harwell, M. (2018).
Don’t expect too much: The limited usefulness of common SES measures and a prescription for change [Policy brief].
National Education Policy Center. https://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/SES” which highlights the focus on a defined problem and provides a tangible solution based on academic research.
Press Releases: Official Announcements and Transparency
The press release reference, “U.
S.
Food and Drug Administration. (2019, February 14).
FDA authorizes first interoperable insulin pump intended to allow patients to customize treatment through their individual diabetes management devices [Press release]. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm631412.htm,” differs slightly.
Here, the author is a government agency (U.
S.
Food and Drug Administration), and the date includes the month and day.
The phrase “[Press release]” identifies the document type, and the URL points directly to the official announcement.
The example specifically notes “U.
S.
Food and Drug Administration. (2019, February 14).
FDA authorizes first interoperable insulin pump intended to allow patients to customize treatment through their individual diabetes management devices [Press release]. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm631412.htm” emphasizing the detail and precision required when referencing official publications.
Dissertations and Theses: Unpublished vs.
Published Works
The document emphasizes the crucial distinction between published and unpublished dissertations/theses: “References for doctoral dissertations and master’s and undergraduate theses are divided by whether they are unpublished or published; unpublished works generally must be retrieved directly from the college or university in print form, whereas published works are available from a database (e.g., the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global database), a university archive, or a personal website.” This distinction affects the reference format, particularly concerning the source.
For unpublished dissertations/theses, the university name is included in the source element: “Author, A.
A. (2020).
Title of dissertation [Unpublished doctoral dissertation].
Name of Institution Awarding the Degree.” This indicates that the work is not widely available and must be obtained directly from the institution.
The document further explicates “Author, (2020). | Title of dissertation [Unpub- Name of Institution lished doctoral dissertation].
Awarding the Degree.
Title of thesis [Unpublished master’s thesis].
Title of undergraduate thesis {Unpublished undergraduate thesis]” demonstrating the consistent structure across various levels of academic theses.
Published dissertations/theses, on the other hand, are accessible through databases or archives.
In such cases, the university name appears in square brackets after the title, signaling its availability in a broader context.
As the text indicates “for published dissertations and theses, the university name appears in square brackets after the title.” This simplifies access, making the research more readily available to a wider audience.
General Observations and Implications
Across all examples, consistency in author attribution, publication year, title formatting, and source identification is paramount.
The use of parenthetical and narrative citations, such as “(Harwell, 2018)” and “Harwell (2018),” is also crucial for properly attributing sources within the text.
These conventions ensure the integrity of academic work and prevent plagiarism.
The guidelines on Unpublished and Published dissertations provides a detailed format as, “Use the template shown next to construct references for unpub- lished dissertations and theses.”
The provided examples underline the importance of meticulous attention to detail when constructing academic references.
Adherence to these guidelines is essential for credible and effective communication within academic and professional settings.
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