CITING INTERNET SOURCES

 

When using any type of source for research, it is important that the source is cited correctly.  When citing any source, there is a definite procedure that needs to be followed.  Citing an Internet source is no different.  I looked at all of the listed websites that show us how to document in both MLA and APA format.  The websites list the information in many ways, not all of them easy for students to follow.  As educator, I would use the Reference Examples for Electronic Source Materials site www.apastyle.org/elecsource.html for classroom instruction.

While this specific site does not give direct examples, it does give very thorough explanations.  This site is from the APA and provides links to other information, such as styles and tips and ethics.  It is always easy to get confused when looking at how to cite your sources, but I think that the way the APA website lays out the information, makes it very clear.  There should not be a lot of room for confusion with this site, because you more or less just fill in the blanks.   The only problem that I see with this particular website is that a student’s source may not always be exactly the same as the general example provided, leaving a small window for error.  But overall, if a student follows the general example, they will most likely be right on target.  Another helpful feature of this website is that it tells us how to site other sources, like periodicals and books.  This is a website that I think would be useful to students in a multitude of ways.

 

How to cite Internet resources using the APA format:

 

Salwen, Peter.  (1996). The Quotable Mark Twain.  Salwen Business Communications.  Retrieved from the World Wide Web, December 5, 2003: http://salwen.com/mtquotes.html

 

CIA’s The World Factbook: Afganistan. (2003). Retrieved from the World Wide Web, December 5, 2003: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/af.html

 

2003 Winston Cup Series Drivers. (2003). Retrieved from the World Wide Web, December 5, 2003: http://www.nascar.com/DRIVERS/winston/KHarvick00/index.html

 

McKenzie, Jamie. (2001) Building Good News Ideas {Electronic Version}. From Now On The Educational Technology Journal,10, No.9.  http://fno.org/jun01/building.html