What are In-Text Citations?
In-text citations are brief references within the body of a scholarly work that direct readers to the full citation in the reference list. In the field of
nursing, in-text citations are essential for supporting clinical decisions, providing evidence for
best practices, and enhancing the credibility of the work.
Why are In-Text Citations Important in Nursing?
In-text citations in nursing are crucial for several reasons:
1.
Supporting Evidence: They provide evidence for clinical decisions and interventions.
2.
Credibility and Accountability: They enhance the credibility of the nurse and the reliability of the information.
3.
Avoiding Plagiarism: Proper citations help avoid plagiarism by giving credit to the original authors.
4.
Research Validation: They validate the research and findings by showing the sources of information.
How to Format In-Text Citations in Nursing?
The formatting of in-text citations in nursing typically follows the
APA (American Psychological Association) style. Here are some common rules:
-
Author-Date System: Use the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example, (Smith, 2020).
-
Direct Quotes: For direct quotes, include the page number. For example, (Smith, 2020, p. 15).
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Multiple Authors: For works with two authors, use both names (Smith & Jones, 2020). For three or more authors, use the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” (Smith et al., 2020).
How to Cite Different Types of Sources?
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Books: For books, include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example, (Doe, 2018).
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Journal Articles: For journal articles, include the author’s last name and year. For example, (Smith, 2019).
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Websites: For websites, include the author’s last name or the organization and the year. For example, (World Health Organization, 2021).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect Author Order: Ensure the correct order of authors as listed in the original source.
- Omitting Page Numbers: Always include page numbers for direct quotes.
- Inconsistent Formatting: Maintain consistent formatting throughout the document.
- Over-citation: Avoid excessive citation of the same source.Examples of In-Text Citations in Nursing
- Single Author: (Smith, 2020) or Smith (2020) stated...
- Two Authors: (Smith & Jones, 2020) or Smith and Jones (2020) found...
- Multiple Authors: (Smith et al., 2020) or Smith et al. (2020) concluded...Resources for Learning More
There are several resources available for learning more about in-text citations:
- The
APA Publication Manual- University writing centers
- Online citation generators
- Nursing textbooks and journals
Conclusion
In-text citations are a fundamental aspect of scholarly writing in nursing. They ensure the
integrity and reliability of the work, support evidence-based practice, and prevent plagiarism. By understanding and applying the correct format for in-text citations, nurses can contribute to the advancement of the profession and the improvement of patient care.
