Example:
(Smith, 2023, p. 15)
Explanation:
* Smith (2023): This is the author's last name and the year of publication. It's a common way to reference a source in the text.
* p. 15: This indicates the page number where the information being referenced can be found.
Other Reference Markers:
* (Jones et al., 2021): "et al." is used when there are three or more authors.
* (National Institute of Health, 2022): For sources like government agencies or organizations.
* (Smith, 2023a): If an author has multiple publications in the same year, use "a", "b", etc. to differentiate them.
Different Citation Styles:
The specific format of reference markers can vary depending on the citation style used. Some common styles include:
* APA (American Psychological Association): The example above is in APA style.
* MLA (Modern Language Association): Often uses author's last name and page number in parentheses, like (Smith 15).
* Chicago: Has multiple variations, including footnotes and endnotes.
Importance of Reference Markers:
Reference markers are essential for:
* Academic Integrity: They give credit to the original source of the information.
* Clarity: They allow readers to easily locate the sources you've used.
* Verifiability: They enable readers to check the accuracy and validity of your claims.