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Citing Electronic and Other "Unusual" Sources

ChatGPT and other AI Tools

Adopted by APA from the reference template for software. This format should be used for all AI tools, algorithms, and other software.

In-text Citations

Author of AI text, year of the version used

Examples:

  • Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2023)
  • Narrative citation: OpenAI (2023)

Reference List

Author of AI model used. (Year of AI model used). Name of AI model used (Version of AI model used) [Type or description of AI model used]. Web address of AI model used

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

For more information: APA Style How to cite ChatGPT

In-text

In-text citation format

(Short form Title of source) 

(“Describe the symbolism”) 

Example:

When asked to describe the symbolism of the green light in The Great Gatsby, ChatGPT provided a summary about optimism, the unattainability of the American dream, greed, and covetousness. However, when further prompted to cite the source on which that summary was based, it noted that it lacked “the ability to conduct research or cite sources independently” but that it could “provide a list of scholarly sources related to the symbolism of the green light in The Great Gatsby” (“In 200 words”).

Works Cited Example

“Title of source” prompt. Name of AI Tool, version, Company, Date content was generated, General web address of tool. 

“Describe the symbolism of the green light in the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald” prompt. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 8 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat. 

For more information from MLA: How do I cite generative AI in MLA style?

 

In-text references

Acknowledge the AI tool in your text (e.g., "The following recipe for pizza dough was generated by ChatGPT").

Numbered footnote or endnote

Author of the content, Date text was generated, Publisher is the creator of the software, URL where the tool may be found.

1. Text generated by ChatGPT, March 7, 2023, OpenAI, https://chat.openai.com/chat.

Author-date

Any information not in the text is placed in a parenthetical text reference.

(ChatGPT, March 7, 2023)

For more information: Chicago Manual of Style: How do you recommend citing content developed or generated by artificial intelligence?

Articles Without Page Numbers (In-text Citations)

"When an electronic source lacks page numbers, you should try to include information that will help readers find the passage being cited. Use the heading or section name, an abbreviated heading or section name, a paragraph number (para. 1), or a combination of these." -- Purdue OWL

"If page numbers are not available, use par. or pars. to denote paragraph numbers. Use these in place of the p. or pp. abbreviation. Par. would be used for a single paragraph, while pars. would be used for a span of two or more paragraphs." -- Purdue OWL

"Stable page numbers are not always available in electronic formats; therefore, you may include the number of chapter, section, or other easily recognizable locator instead." -- Purdue OWL

General Help Citing Online Content

General Help Citing Audiovisual Materials

Datasets

Include the authors' name(s), publication year, title of the project/article/dataset, the words "[Data set]," the journal/website that hosts the dataset, and the DOI or other URL.

See https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples/data-set-references


O’Donohue, W. (2017). Content analysis of undergraduate psychology textbooks (ICPSR 21600; Version V1) [Data set]. ICPSR. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR36966.v1

The MLA Handbook does not describe how to cite datasets, so this information is based on the example shown at https://library.rit.edu/citations/mla/data-set-mla.

Include the authors' name(s), title of the project/article/dataset, the journal/website that hosts the dataset, the publication date, the DOI or other URL, and the word "Dataset."


O’Donohue, William. Content analysis of undergraduate psychology textbooks (ICPSR 21600; Version V1). ICPSR, 20 Dec. 2017, https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR36966.v1. Dataset.

The Chicago Manual of Style does not describe how to cite datasets, so this information is based on the examples shown at https://bowdoin.libguides.com/c.php?g=826564&p=5901300.

Include the authors' name(s), the title of the project/article/dataset, the place and date of publication, the journal/website that hosts/distributes the dataset, any ID number given for the dataset, and the DOI or other URL.


O’Donohue, William. Content Analysis of Undergraduate Psychology Textbooks. Ann Arbor, MI, 20 December 2017. Distributed by The Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research. ICPSR 21600; Version V1.https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR36966.v1.

Online Reports

For example, documents produced by companies, government organizations, etc. that are not books or periodical articles. These do not have volume/issue numbers and are often formatted as a PDF or a web page.

Cite similarly to a book. Include the author (whether a person or an organization), publication year, title, and URL. If the author is a person, also include the publishing organization's name.


National Endowment for the Arts. (2020). Paths to participation: Understanding how art forms and activities intersect. https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/Paths-to-Participation-Understanding-How-Art-Forms-and-Activities-Intersect-1-2021.pdf

Stern, M. J. (2011). Age and arts participation: A case against demographic destiny. National Endowment for the Arts. https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/2008-SPPA-Age.pdf

Include the author, title, publishing organization, publication date, URL, and access date. If the author and the publishing organization are the same, begin with the title. See https://style.mla.org/citing-a-company-report.


Paths to participation: Understanding how art forms and activities intersect. National Endowment for the Arts, Dec. 2020, https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/Paths-to-Participation-Understanding-How-Art-Forms-and-Activities-Intersect-1-2021.pdf. Accessed 14 Dec. 2021.

Stern, Mark J. Age and arts participation: A case against demographic destiny. National Endowment for the Arts, Feb. 2011, https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/2008-SPPA-Age.pdf. Accessed 14 Dec. 2021.

Cite similarly to a book. Include the author (whether a person or an organization), title, place of publication, publisher, publication date, and URL. If there is no publication date, use "Accessed [date]" instead. The first example shows where to put the access date if needed.


National Endowment for the Arts. Paths to Participation: Understanding How Art Forms and Activities Intersect. Washington, DC: National Endowment for the Arts, December 2020. [Accessed December 14, 2021.] https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/Paths-to-Participation-Understanding-How-Art-Forms-and-Activities-Intersect-1-2021.pdf.

Stern, Mark. Age and Arts Participation: A Case Against Demographic Destiny. Washington, DC: National Endowment for the Arts, February 2011. https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/2008-SPPA-Age.pdf.

Podcasts

Include the name(s) of the host(s) or producer(s), the publication date, the episode title, the episode number (if known), the words "[Audio podcast episode]", the podcast name, the publisher (if known), and the episode URL. See https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples/podcast-references.


McElroy, S. & McElroy, J. (Hosts). (2021, November 30). Alka-Seltzer (No. 393). [Audio podcast episode]. In Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine. Maximum Fun. https://maximumfun.org/episodes/sawbones/alka-seltzer/

Include the hosts' names, the episode title, the podcast name, the episode number (if known), the publisher (if known), publication date, and URL. See https://style.mla.org/how-do-i-cite-a-podcast-episode/


McElroy, Sydnee, and Justin McElroy, hosts. "Alka-Seltzer." Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine, episode 393, Maximum Fun, 30 Nov. 2021, https://maximumfun.org/episodes/sawbones/alka-seltzer/.

The Chicago Manual of Style does not give much specific guidance for citing podcasts. See section 14.267 of the Chicago Manual (requires UNL login). The following example follows the template given by the Purdue OWL.

This example includes the author/host name(s), episode title, producer's name, publication date, podcast name, the words "Podcast, MP3 audio," the episode length, and the URL.


McElroy, Sydnee, and Justin McElroy. "Alka-Seltzer." Produced by Maximum Fun. November 30, 2021. Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine. Podcast, MP3 audio, 47:57. https://maximumfun.org/episodes/sawbones/alka-seltzer/.

 

Preprint articles

Preprint saved in an online repository

Cite similarly to a journal article, but instead of the journal information, include the repository name. Include the authors' names, publication year, article title, repository name, and DOI or other URL.


Franklin, R.G., Jr., & Crisler, C.L. (2018). Differences in the emotional content in different Bible translations. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/vru43

Preprint published online ("ahead of print") by a journal

Cite just like any other journal article, with whatever information is provided. Often the journal will provide a suggested citation format. The example below is from a journal that uses article numbers instead of page numbers.


Liang, O. S., & Yang, C. C. (2022). How are different sources of distraction associated with at-fault crashes among drivers of different age gender groups? Accident Analysis & Prevention, 165(February 2022), 106505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2021.106505

Preprint saved in an online repository

Cite similarly to a journal article, but instead of the journal information, include the repository name. Include the authors' names, article title, repository name, publication/upload date, and DOI or other URL.


Franklin, Roberg G., Jr., & Crisler, Channing L. "Differences in the Emotional Content in Different Bible Translations." PsyArXiv, 24 May 2018https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/vru43.

Preprint published online ("ahead of print") by a journal

Cite just like any other journal article, using whatever information is provided. Often the journal will provide a suggested citation format. The example below is from a journal that uses article numbers instead of page numbers.


Liang, Ou Stella, & Yang, Christopher. C. "How Are Different Sources of Distraction Associated with At-fault Crashes among Drivers of Different Age Gender Groups?" Accident Analysis & Prevention, vol. 165, February 2022, 106505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2021.106505

 

Preprint saved in an online repository

Include the authors' names, article title, the word "Preprint," upload date, and DOI or other URL. Add the access date if there is no publication/upload date given.


Franklin, Robert G., Jr., and Channing L. Crisler. “Differences in the Emotional Content in Different Bible Translations.” Preprint, submitted May 24, 2018. doi:10.31234/osf.io/vru43.

Preprint published online ("ahead of print") by a journal

Cite just like any other journal article, with whatever information is provided. Often the journal will provide a suggested citation format. The example below is from a journal that uses article numbers instead of page numbers.


Liang, Ou Stella, and Yang, Christopher C. "How are Different Sources of Distraction Associated with At-fault Crashes among Drivers of Different Age Gender Groups?" Accident Analysis & Prevention 165 (February 2022): 106505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2021.106505

YouTube, Vimeo, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Other Online Videos

For YouTube and similar videos, include the channel/uploader name, publication date, video title, the word "[Video]" and the URL.

See https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples/youtube-references.


AwesomeTech. (2020, March 7). Boston Dynamics' amazing robots Atlas and Handle [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhND7Mvp3f4

 

For movies and TV series streamed on Netflix and similar services, cite the same as any other movie or TV series. The citation should begin with the name(s) of the director, producer, or writer. If you cannot find any of these, begin the citation with the video's title. Add the URL at the end of the citation. 


Bier, S. (Director). (2008). Bird box [Film]. Netflix. https://www.netflix.com/watch/80196789 (movie)

Penguin town. (2021). [TV series]. Red Rock Films. https://www.netflix.com/watch/81230278 (TV series)

Homecoming. In Penguin town. (2021). [TV series]. Red Rock Films. https://www.netflix.com/watch/81230278 (TV series, individual episode)

For YouTube and similar videos, include the video title in quotation marks, the name of the website, the name of the uploader, the publication date, and the URL.

"Boston Dynamics' Amazing robots Atlas and Handle." YouTube, uploaded by AwesomeTech, 7 March 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhND7Mvp3f4.

 

For movies and TV series streamed on Netflix and similar services, begin the citation the same as any other movie or TV series. Begin with the video's title, unless you want to emphasize the contribution of one or more of the creators. Add the website name and/or URL (beginning with "www") at the end of the citation. 


Bird Box. Directed by Susanne Bier, Netflix, 2018. Netflix, www.netflix.com/watch/80196789 (movie)

Penguin Town. Narrated by Patton Oswalt, Red Rock Films, 2021. Netflix, www.netflix.com/watch/81230278 (TV series, beginning with the title)

Oswalt, Patton, narrator. Penguin Town. Red Rock Films, 2021. Netflix, www.netflix.com/watch/81230278 (TV series, emphasizing the creator)

"Homecoming." Penguin Town, season 1, episode 1, Red Rock Films, 2021. Netflix, www.netflix.com/watch/81230278 (TV series, individual episode)

The Chicago Manual of Style does not give much specific guidance for citing streaming videos. See section 14.267 of the Chicago Manual (requires UNL login).

See also the following examples:

For YouTube and similar videos: The example below, based on the Chicago Manual's recommendations, includes the author/uploader's name, video title, date of upload, type of media, video length, and URL. 

AwesomeTech. "Boston Dynamics' Amazing robots Atlas and Handle." Posted March 7, 2020. YouTube video, 7:18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhND7Mvp3f4.

 

For movies and TV series streamed on Netflix and similar services, include the name of the director/writer/producer (if known), the video title, the place of publication, the publisher, the publication date, and the URL. Don't know the place of publication? Do a Google search for the publishing company's address.


Bier, Susanne, dir. Bird Box. Los Gatos, CA: Netflix, 2018. https://www.netflix.com/watch/80196789 (movie)

Penguin Town. Silver Spring, MD: Red Rock Films, 2021. https://www.netflix.com/watch/81230278 (TV series)

Penguin Town. Season 1, episode 1, "Homecoming." Silver Spring, MD: Red Rock Films, 2021. https://www.netflix.com/watch/81230278 (TV series, individual episode)

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