Accurately citing sources is a cornerstone of academic integrity and professional communication, especially in the field of nursing. When utilizing nursing diagnosis handbooks, adhering to the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is crucial. This guide provides a clear understanding of how to cite nursing diagnosis handbooks in APA 7th edition format, ensuring your references are both correct and credible.
Understanding APA 7th Edition Citation for Nursing Resources is essential for nurses, students, and healthcare professionals. Properly citing handbooks not only gives credit to the original authors but also strengthens the scholarly rigor of your work. This guide will break down the process, offering examples and clear steps to ensure your citations are accurate every time you reference these vital resources.
Let’s explore the standard format for citing a chapter within an edited book, adapting it specifically for nursing diagnosis handbooks. Consider the common scenario where you’re referencing a specific section or chapter from a handbook. The APA format requires specific elements to be included in your citation to ensure clarity and allow readers to locate the source easily.
Here’s a breakdown using examples based on the Physical Examination & Health Assessment textbook, which, while not strictly a nursing diagnosis handbook, provides a useful model for citing chapters in edited books within the healthcare domain:
Example 1: Citing a Chapter in an Edited Book (Adapted Canadian Edition)
Let’s say you are referencing a chapter from Physical Examination & Health Assessment, adapted for a Canadian context. The citation format would look like this:
Jarvis, C. (2019). The interview (A. J. Browne, Cdn. Adapt.). In C. Jarvis (Ed.), & A. J. Browne, J. MacDonald-Jenkins, & M. Luctkar-Flude (Cdn. Eds.), Physical examination and health assessment (3rd Cdn. ed., pp. 46-61). Elsevier.
In this example:
- Jarvis, C. is the original author of the chapter.
- (2019) is the year of publication.
- The interview is the title of the chapter.
- (A. J. Browne, Cdn. Adapt.) indicates the chapter was adapted for a Canadian audience by A.J. Browne.
- In C. Jarvis (Ed.), & A. J. Browne, J. MacDonald-Jenkins, & M. Luctkar-Flude (Cdn. Eds.), lists the editors of both the original (C. Jarvis) and Canadian editions.
- Physical examination and health assessment is the title of the book.
- (3rd Cdn. ed., pp. 46-61) specifies the edition and page numbers for the chapter.
- Elsevier is the publisher.
Example 2: Citing a Chapter in an Edited Book (4th Canadian Edition)
If you are using a more recent edition, such as the 4th Canadian Edition, the format slightly adjusts to include original editors as well:
Jarvis, C. (2024). Critical thinking and evidence-informed assessment (A. J. Browne, Cdn. Adapt.). In C. Jarvis & A. Eckhardt (Eds.), & A. J. Browne, J. MacDonald-Jenkins, & M. Luctkar-Flude (Cdn. Eds.), Physical examination and health assessment (4th Cdn. ed., pp. 1-10). Elsevier.
Here, A. Eckhardt is included as an original editor alongside Jarvis, reflecting the book’s authorship structure.
Example 3: Citing the Entire Handbook (4th Canadian Edition)
Sometimes, you might need to cite the entire handbook rather than a specific chapter. In this case, the citation would focus on the editors:
Jarvis, C., & Eckhardt, A. (Eds.), & Browne, A. J., MacDonald-Jenkins, J., & Luctkar-Flude, M. (Cdn. Eds.). (2024). Physical examination and health assessment (4th Cdn. ed.). Elsevier.
This format credits all editors involved in the creation of the Canadian edition of the handbook.
Key Takeaways for APA Citation of Nursing Diagnosis Handbooks:
- Identify Chapter Authors and Book Editors: Clearly distinguish between those who wrote the specific chapter and those who edited the entire handbook.
- Specify Edition: Always include the edition number, especially for handbooks that are frequently updated.
- Include Page Numbers for Chapters: When citing a specific chapter, provide the page range to direct readers precisely.
- Use “Cdn. Adapt.” or similar designators: For adapted editions, make sure to indicate this in your citation.
- Publisher Information: Conclude with the publisher to complete the citation.
By following these guidelines and examples, you can confidently and accurately create APA citations for nursing diagnosis handbooks and other similar resources. Proper citation is not just about avoiding plagiarism; it’s about participating in the academic and professional conversation of nursing in a responsible and scholarly manner. Always refer to the APA Publication Manual for the most detailed and up-to-date guidelines.
