Please outline two of the changes from APA 6th edition to the 7th edition that you learned from the video or website I gave you that had the greatest impact on you. Explain why?
One of the changes in APA 7th edition that had a significant impact on me is the updated guidelines for citing electronic sources. In the 6th edition, the rules for citing online sources were somewhat vague and lacked specificity. However, in the 7th edition, there is a much clearer and comprehensive set of guidelines for citing various electronic sources. This change is crucial in today’s digital age, where online sources are abundant and widely used.
In the 7th edition, there is a distinction between three types of online sources: publicly accessible websites or webpages, digital object identifiers (DOIs), and uniform resource locators (URLs). APA emphasizes the importance of including the webpage or document title in italics, followed by the site name or publisher, and the URL or DOI. Additionally, it is now recommended to include the date of retrieval if the source is likely to change over time. This change in the citation guidelines is important because it ensures that readers can easily locate and access the sources cited in a paper.
The inclusion of DOIs is another important change in APA 7th edition. DOIs are alphanumeric strings assigned to digital objects such as journal articles, books, or reports. They provide a persistent link to the content and facilitate reliable access to sources, even if the URL changes or becomes inactive. In the 6th edition, the use of DOIs was not given much emphasis, and it was common to include the URL instead. However, with the updates in the 7th edition, DOIs are now preferred over URLs for journal articles and other sources that have a DOI. This change ensures greater stability and reliability in citing electronic sources.
The shift towards emphasizing DOIs is significant because it promotes the use of more stable and permanent identifiers. Including DOIs in citations not only ensures accuracy in locating the sources cited but also supports the integrity and reproducibility of scholarly work. It allows readers to easily access the exact version of an article or document referenced in a paper, reducing the risk of broken links or changes to the content. This change aligns with the growing emphasis on open science and facilitates the effective dissemination of research.
Another change that had a profound impact on me is the revised guidelines for inclusive and bias-free language. The 7th edition of APA recognizes the importance of using language that is inclusive, respectful, and mindful of biased terminology. This change reflects the evolving understanding of issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic writing.
APA 7th edition introduces guidelines for using singular “they” as a gender-neutral pronoun, accommodating non-binary and gender-nonconforming individuals. It acknowledges the need for gender-inclusive language and provides examples of how to use singular “they” in both singular and plural contexts. This change is significant because it demonstrates APA’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and sensitivity in academic writing.
Moreover, the 7th edition also provides recommendations for avoiding biased language related to individuals’ mental or physical characteristics, ethnic or racial identities, sexual orientation, and disabilities. It encourages writers to be mindful of the impact their language can have on various social groups and to use language that promotes fairness and respect. This change reflects a heightened awareness of the power dynamics inherent in language and a desire to create a more inclusive academic community.
In conclusion, two of the changes in APA 7th edition that had the greatest impact on me are the updated guidelines for citing electronic sources and the emphasis on inclusive and bias-free language. These changes address the needs of the digital era and promote ethical and respectful academic writing practices. By providing clearer guidelines for citing online sources and encouraging the use of DOIs, APA improves the accessibility and reliability of cited sources. Additionally, the emphasis on inclusive language serves to create a more inclusive and respectful academic environment.
