Tilvísunarsnið

A tilvísunarsnið, which translates to "citation format" in Icelandic, refers to a standardized system for acknowledging sources within a piece of academic or research work. These formats dictate how information borrowed from other authors, publications, or websites should be attributed to its original creator. The primary purpose of employing a tilvísunarsnið is to prevent plagiarism by giving credit where it is due, allowing readers to locate the original sources for further research, and demonstrating the author's engagement with existing scholarship.

Different academic disciplines and institutions often favor specific tilvísunarsnið. Common examples include APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), and Chicago. Each format has its own set of rules for citing various types of sources, such as books, journal articles, websites, and interviews. These rules cover details like the order of author names, publication dates, titles, and locations of publication.

In addition to in-text citations, which appear directly within the body of the text, a tilvísunarsnið also requires a comprehensive list of references or a bibliography at the end of the work. This list provides full details for every source cited, enabling readers to easily find and verify the information. Adhering to a chosen tilvísunarsnið consistently throughout a document is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and clarity.