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Exercising awareness and caution while using reference sources, students must provide proper citation. Not only as a means to avoid plagiarism, citation allows others to locate the references as efficiently as possible.

Social work uses the editorial style specified in The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA). The manual establishes the rules and standards for MSCD Social Work Department students to use in the presentation of written performance. Since most assignments rely on written communication, adherence to the APA style throughout the curriculum is crucial.  For more specific information, consult the references below. Note: while some web sites or printed materials may offer insight relating to APA style, be sure to consult The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (currently the 5th edition) for the uniform standards.

As a matter of professional development and scientific inquiry, social work students need to be attentive to the guidelines of the APA style. Academic performance revolves around balancing the presentation of your own ideas and knowledge attainment with that of supporting documentation from other sources. Some assignments request demonstration of your own understanding or solution. However, upper-division course assignments generally require gathering, evaluating, and integrating information or ideas from others. It is generally understood in academia that when quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing students must make the proper acknowledgement. Such citation method establishes the findings and results of other scientific inquiries. However, if an author has a unique or distinct interpretation or analysis of a concept or theory, the academic community refers to this as intellectual property. Therefore, when students use information or ideas not originating with the student, citation is an obligation—even if students do not use exact words. Furthermore, information or ideas not common knowledge or not available in a standard reference work need citation as well. Finally, if you “borrow” information or ideas from others but it could appear as your own if you didn’t cite, you should make the reference and give the author credit.

Be diligent enough with your assignments to proudly claim your ideas; grant the same honor to other authors.

If you are in doubt whether to cite or not, it's better to err by over-citing than by under-citing your sources. Such an underscoring is not an encouragement to over-cite as a reflex however. You do not want a citation for every sentence—as insurance. Your voice needs to be heard in the assignment.

Click here to view Some Common Errors to Avoid

 

Click on the three logos below to link to additional online APA resources

Bibliography Style Handbook: Exhaustive list

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