It is important to have this basic understanding of APA style citations and references before beginning any research project or assignment in which you are required to utilize multiple resources. After this basic tutorial you should now be aware of the need to keep careful records of the resources you use when conducting research. The simple steps below will make it easier for you to compile the reference list for your paper, to give accurate citations, and to prepare a good annotated bibliography in your proposal

As you find items on the Internet or in the library, it is a good idea to keep a document on your computer containing all the information needed for your eventual reference list. Also, whenever you are taking notes while reading material for a research project or simply to prepare for a class, be sure to indicate the reference information of the publication.

Copying

Remember that it is a violation of the UMW Honor Code to copy from a source into your paper without using quotation marks and giving a citation. In APA style, the citation must include the page number of the source. Therefore, anytime you copy the exact words of an author in your notes, be sure to record the page number on which the words appeared in the original publication.

Here are some additional tips when making photocopies:

• be sure the page numbers do not get "chopped off" (if they do, write them in immediately)
• be sure to make a copy of the title page
• write the copyright date on our copy of the title page

Follow similar procedures when downloading documents from the Internet. (Be sure to also include the date you accessed the information.)

Deciding When to Use Citations

While writing your paper, it is best to include citations from the beginning of the drafting process. It is much easier to delete unnecessary citations in your final draft than to try to remember at that stage where an idea originated from.

In general, citations should be given for any ideas that are not your own, unless they are considered general knowledge in the field. As a student writer, you are not expected to always know the difference between general knowledge and other ideas that need to be cited. Nevertheless, as a student,  most of the ideas in your paper (especially in the Literature Review section) will not be your own, and readers will want to know what kinds of sources you used to come up with those ideas. Therefore, more citations are better than fewer citations.

A good rule of thumb is to provide a citation for any indirect quotation, paraphrase, or vague reference to "researchers." Phrases like the following are good clues to tell you that an idea needs a citation:

• Researchers have found that ...
• Statistics indicate that ...
• White and Black reported that ...
• According to Braun and Greene, ...