Source Types
5 Exploring Source Types
To identify the correct APA citation elements needed for your reference list citation, you first need to know what type of source you have. Looking at a source’s visual cues and descriptions from a library catalogue or database can help you figure this out.
A source can be in different formats.
- an article can be in a print journal or available online in a library database or on a journal webpage
- a website can be created by governments, associations, companies, non-profit organizations or an individual
- a book can be in print or available online as an eBook
- and so on…
Did you know about “Grey/Gray Literature?”
Grey/Gray Literature can be a valuable resource for nursing students providing timely, credible, practical, and policy-focused information that may not be available in academic journals. It is information created by governments, academics, businesses, and organizations—whether in print or online—that isn’t published through traditional commercial publishers. Examples are research reports, professional standards, brochures, fact sheets, press releases.
Some sources exist only electronically, such as blogs or websites and their individual webpages. Understanding the difference between a DOI and a URL is important when selecting the most reliable link for your citation. To help, we will explore the difference in the next chapter.
