Citations are the backbone of academic integrity. However, they are also one of the most common sources of lost marks. Here are the top mistakes we see and how to fix them.
1. Inconsistent In-Text Citations
Ensure that every source mentioned in your text appears in your reference list, and vice versa. Discrepancies here are a major red flag for examiners.
2. Incorrect Use of "et al."
APA 7th simplified the rules for multiple authors. For works with three or more authors, use the first author's name followed by "et al." even in the first citation.
3. Neglecting DOIs
If a source has a Digital Object Identifier (DOI), it must be included in the reference list entry. Format them as functional URLs (e.g., https://doi.org/xxxx).
Summary Table: Common Fixes
| Mistake | Correction |
|---|---|
| Missing page numbers for quotes | Always include (p. X) for direct quotes |
| Wrong capitalization in titles | Use sentence case for titles in references |