How to cite some non-traditional academic publications?
Citing non-traditional academic publications, such as preprints, institutional repositories, data sets, blogs, or conference presentations, is feasible using established academic style guides. Most major styles provide specific formats for these emerging sources.
The core principles involve applying style guide conventions (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) to these formats, adapting standard citation elements like author, title, date, and source where applicable. Key considerations include evaluating the source's credibility and permanence (e.g., including DOIs or stable URLs when available). Scrutinize the peer-review status and relevance to your argument is crucial, especially for preprints or blogs. Always consult the specific requirements of your discipline and publisher.
To implement, identify the required elements outlined in your chosen style guide for the specific source type (e.g., `[Author]. (Year). Title. [Dataset]. Repository Name. DOI` for datasets). Locate and record precise retrieval information like DOIs or stable URLs. Consistency and accurate element identification are paramount. This enables scholars to engage with a broader spectrum of contemporary research and data, enhancing argumentation and transparency.
