viittausohjetta

A viittausohje (citation guide) is a set of rules or guidelines that dictate how sources should be acknowledged and referenced within academic or other formal writing. These guides ensure that the work of others is properly credited, preventing plagiarism and allowing readers to locate the original sources.

Different disciplines and institutions often adopt specific citation styles, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard. Each style has its own conventions for formatting in-text citations and bibliographies or reference lists. These conventions cover details like the placement of author names, publication dates, page numbers, and the order of information presented for different types of sources, including books, journal articles, websites, and interviews.

Adhering to a viittausohje is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and demonstrating scholarly practice. It helps to build credibility by showing that the author has engaged with existing research and provides transparency for the reader. Universities and publishers typically specify which citation style is required for submissions. Understanding and correctly applying a chosen viittausohje is a fundamental skill for students and researchers.