APA Citation Analysis: Adding Evaluation for Walden University

This assignment analyzes common APA citation errors based on the work of Van Note Chism and Weerakoon (2012). The analysis identifies lack of attention to detail and instructors' failure to correct citations as major contributors to student errors. The assignment emphasizes the importance of understanding source types, genre recognition, and the role of practice and feedback in mastering APA style. It suggests that students need to pay attention to detail, instructors should correct errors, and students should practice regularly. The document also references additional resources from Walden University's Writing Center, including tips for proofreading and podcasts on writing expectations and incorporating Grammarly into the writing process, providing a comprehensive overview of academic writing support.

ADDING EVALUATION 1
Adding Evaluation
Phuong Phan
Walden University

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Analysis of the Main Point
According to Van Note Chism and Weerakoon (2012), lack of attentiveness among
students and the failure of their instructors to correct the citations are the two main reasons that
cause errors in APA citation among the students without their knowledge. In order to achieve
high level of performance in citation, learners need to pay attention to detail. The study by Van
Note Chism and Weerakoon proved that “attention to detail” is important since it helps the
student to prevent errors and develop mastery in APA style citation. However, learners’ efforts
might not bear fruit especially when their instructors fail to correct their citations. It is therefore
significant for lecturers to help scholars recognize their “fossilized” mistakes (citation errors they
make without even thinking) through correcting them. However, besides the two factors that are
cited to be the main reasons of students making errors in APA citations, other factors are also
mentioned by the authors, which need to be taken care by students to prevent such errors.
Van Note Chism and Weerakoon (2012) found out that are various factors that affect
students’ understanding of APA citation style. In order to cite a source correctly, a student needs
to understand the category under which it falls. However, some learners face a challenge while
identifying the type of a source they want to cite owing to their misperceptions of how a source
material needs to be classified. In their investigation, Van Note Chism and Weerakoon (2012)
realized that some scholars found it easier to recognize books, chapters, articles, articles, and
journals but faced difficulties while separating title volumes in a series, electronic sources, as
well as in conference preparation. Thus, instructors can assist their students by helping them
overcome the challenges of genre recognition that they encounter while citing their written
works in APA style and accordingly guide them to develop their skills of APA citation properly.
In addition, authors also advise that motivation, patience, attention to detail and persistence are

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also important for achieving high levels of performance by the students for performing APA
citation successfully.
Van Note Chism and Weerakoon (2012) concluded that incessant practice enables
students to perfect their APA citation skills. When learners practice using this citation style, they
will be in a position to increase their ability and solve most of the difficulties they face. What is
more, with unremitting practice, students will get an opportunity to learn something new and so,
avoid common errors they are prone to. It is therefore imperative for lecturers to provide their
students with opportunities to practice their APA citation skills and provide them with feedback
so that they can progress.

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Reference
Van Note Chism, N., & Weerakoon, S. (2012). APA, meet Google: Graduate students’
approaches to learning citation style. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and
Learning, 12(2), 27-38. Retrieved from
https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/josotl/article/view/2020