Accurate referencing constitutes ethical scholarship. The American Psychological Association (APA) establishes rigorous standards for academic writing, including guidelines on how to cite Micromedex APA. Micromedex, a comprehensive database from IBM Watson Health, provides crucial drug information, but learning how to cite Micromedex APA correctly is vital. This guide provides easy steps and will help you understand all the required elements for your academic work.
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How to Cite Micromedex in APA Style: A Comprehensive Guide
Micromedex is a valuable resource for medical and pharmaceutical information. When using Micromedex for academic or professional purposes, correctly citing it in APA (American Psychological Association) style is crucial to avoid plagiarism and give proper credit to the original source. This guide provides a step-by-step process for citing Micromedex using APA guidelines.
Understanding the Importance of Accurate Citations
Before diving into the "how-to," it’s important to understand why accurate citations matter.
- Avoid Plagiarism: Giving credit to the original authors and sources prevents you from accidentally representing their work as your own.
- Enhance Credibility: Properly cited sources add weight to your arguments and demonstrate thorough research.
- Allow Verification: Citations allow readers to locate the original information and verify its accuracy and context.
- Show Respect: Citing sources is a sign of respect for the intellectual property of others.
Identifying the Necessary Information for Citation
To create an accurate APA citation for Micromedex, you will need to gather specific pieces of information. This often requires exploring the Micromedex interface. The key elements include:
- Author/Contributing Organization: Often, a specific author is not listed. Instead, the name of the group responsible for the content (e.g., Micromedex Healthcare Series) should be used.
- Year of Publication/Copyright Date: Look for the copyright date listed on the specific page or entry you are citing.
- Title of the Drug Monograph/Specific Content: This is the title of the specific page or document you are referencing (e.g., "Acetaminophen").
- Database Name: This is "Micromedex Healthcare Series."
- URL: The direct URL of the specific page you viewed.
Constructing the APA Citation
Once you have all the necessary information, you can construct the APA citation. Below are examples and explanations for different types of Micromedex content.
Citing a Drug Monograph
Drug monographs are common content pieces found within Micromedex. Here’s how to cite them:
Format:
Micromedex Healthcare Series. (Copyright year). Drug name. IBM Micromedex. URL
Example:
Micromedex Healthcare Series. (2023). Acetaminophen. IBM Micromedex. https://www.micromedexsolutions.com/micromedex2/librarian/CS/D68850/ND_PR/evidencexpert/ND_P/evidencexpert/DUPLICATIONSHIELDSYNC/E777DE/ND_PG/evidencexpert/ND_B/evidencexpert/ND_AppProduct/evidencexpert/
Citing a Specific Section Within a Drug Monograph
Sometimes, you may only need to cite a specific section of a drug monograph. If the section has a clear title, include it.
Format:
Micromedex Healthcare Series. (Copyright year). Drug name: Specific section. IBM Micromedex. URL
Example:
Micromedex Healthcare Series. (2023). Acetaminophen: Dosage. IBM Micromedex. https://www.micromedexsolutions.com/micromedex2/librarian/CS/D68850/ND_PR/evidencexpert/ND_P/evidencexpert/DUPLICATIONSHIELDSYNC/E777DE/ND_PG/evidencexpert/ND_B/evidencexpert/ND_AppProduct/evidencexpert/
Creating the In-Text Citation
In-text citations are brief references within the body of your paper that correspond to the full citation in your reference list.
Parenthetical In-Text Citation
When the citation appears in parentheses at the end of a sentence.
Format:
(Micromedex Healthcare Series, Year)
Example:
(Micromedex Healthcare Series, 2023)
Narrative In-Text Citation
When the author’s name is part of the sentence.
Format:
Micromedex Healthcare Series (Year) states that…
Example:
Micromedex Healthcare Series (2023) states that acetaminophen is commonly used…
Important Considerations
- No Author Listed: If no specific author is listed, use "Micromedex Healthcare Series" as the author.
- Dynamic Content: Micromedex content is frequently updated. Always include the full URL so readers can access the specific version you cited.
- Database Version: Do not include the version number of the database. The year of publication or copyright date is sufficient.
- Accessed Date: APA 7th edition does not require an "accessed" date unless the content is likely to change over time and a copyright date is not provided. In the case of Micromedex, the copyright date is almost always available, rendering the access date unnecessary.
Examples of Complete Citations
Here are some complete examples incorporating everything we’ve covered:
Example 1: Drug Monograph – Reference List Entry
Micromedex Healthcare Series. (2023). Ibuprofen. IBM Micromedex. https://www.micromedexsolutions.com/micromedex2/librarian/CS/D68850/ND_PR/evidencexpert/ND_P/evidencexpert/DUPLICATIONSHIELDSYNC/F38141/ND_PG/evidencexpert/ND_B/evidencexpert/ND_AppProduct/evidencexpert/
Corresponding In-Text Citation (Parenthetical): (Micromedex Healthcare Series, 2023)
Example 2: Drug Monograph – Reference List Entry
Micromedex Healthcare Series. (2024). Warfarin. IBM Micromedex. https://www.micromedexsolutions.com/micromedex2/librarian/CS/E9C471/ND_PR/evidencexpert/ND_P/evidencexpert/DUPLICATIONSHIELDSYNC/F38141/ND_PG/evidencexpert/ND_B/evidencexpert/ND_AppProduct/evidencexpert/
Corresponding In-Text Citation (Narrative): Micromedex Healthcare Series (2024) describes the mechanism of action of warfarin.
FAQs: Citing Micromedex in APA Style
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding how to cite Micromedex in APA style. These answers are designed to help you accurately and efficiently cite Micromedex resources.
What specific information do I need to cite Micromedex in APA style?
You’ll typically need the database name (Micromedex), the specific drug or disease name you are referencing, the publisher (IBM Watson Health), the year of publication or last update, and the URL. Knowing how to cite Micromedex APA style correctly ensures your work is credible.
Is a retrieval date necessary when citing Micromedex in APA?
Yes, because Micromedex content is updated regularly, include a retrieval date. This indicates when you accessed the information, acknowledging the potential for future changes. This is a key step in how to cite Micromedex APA style accurately.
Where can I usually find the "last updated" date within Micromedex?
Look for the "last reviewed" or "last updated" date at the bottom of the specific drug or disease monograph within Micromedex. This date is crucial for the correct APA citation. This date is critical for how to cite Micromedex APA style.
What if I can’t find a specific author for the Micromedex entry I’m citing?
If no specific author is listed, treat IBM Watson Health (the publisher) as the author. This is a common practice for database entries and allows you to follow APA guidelines even when the authorship is not explicitly stated. You always need to cite the source when you how to cite Micromedex APA style.
So, that’s the lowdown on how to cite Micromedex APA! Hopefully, these steps make the whole process a little less daunting. Now go forth and cite with confidence!