APA Citation Quiz: MCQ Trivia Test!

1. APA stands for...

American Psychosis Associates

American Psychological Association

Absurdly Picky Attributes

It might seem like it could be the last option, but honestly, if you aren't comfortable with APA now, you will be by the time you complete your thesis.

Explanation

It might seem like it could be the last option, but honestly, if you aren't comfortable with APA now, you will be by the time you complete your thesis.

2. The following statement shows correct citation within the text: As metaphors for the workings of nature, Darwin used the tangled bank, the tree of life, and the face of nature (Gould, 1989).

True

False

This is probably the most common way to cite within the text. Be sure that if the source has more than one author that you are including them too.

Explanation

This is probably the most common way to cite within the text. Be sure that if the source has more than one author that you are including them too.

3. DOIs are unique strings of numbers used to identify online articles' content and provide a persistent link to their location on the Internet.

True

False

If you don't pay attention to this while you are researching, there are great DOI look-up tools that can help you find them later in the process.

Explanation

If you don't pay attention to this while you are researching, there are great DOI look-up tools that can help you find them later in the process.

4. General Formatting: APA requires double spacing of lines throughout a thesis.

True

False

Every area of the thesis will be double spaced -- references, abstract, all of it.

Explanation

Every area of the thesis will be double spaced -- references, abstract, all of it.

5. The following statement shows correct citation within the text: Gould (1989) attributed Darwin's success to his gift for making the appropriate metaphor.

True

False

This works nicely, but be careful that you aren't starting every sentence with Author (date). Again, mix it up.

Explanation

This works nicely, but be careful that you aren't starting every sentence with Author (date). Again, mix it up.

6. General Formatting: APA suggests only 1 space after a period at the end of a sentence.

True

False

If you type using 2 spaces after periods, go with it. This is easily changed through a Find/Change option after your paper is written. Don't let it throw off your flow!

Explanation

If you type using 2 spaces after periods, go with it. This is easily changed through a Find/Change option after your paper is written. Don't let it throw off your flow!

7. Which is the correct first citation in a text when a work has multiple authors? Option A: Wasserstein, Zappula, Rosen, German, and Rock (1994) found. . . Option B: The use of metaphors was found to be helpful (Wasserstein, Zappula, Rosen, German, & Rock, 1994)...

Option A

Option B

Both are correct

Notice the difference in the ways that "and" is shown. In the first option it is in the text so we use the word "and," but in option B it is in the parenthesis so we use the "&" symbol instead.

Explanation

Notice the difference in the ways that "and" is shown. In the first option it is in the text so we use the word "and," but in option B it is in the parenthesis so we use the "&" symbol instead.

8. When following APA, there are several options to choose from when citing within a text.

True

False

This is where you have lots of power. Be kind to your reader and use varied methods for citations to keep your writing fresh.

Explanation

This is where you have lots of power. Be kind to your reader and use varied methods for citations to keep your writing fresh.

9. Which is the correct way to cite short quotations within text? Option A: Gould (1989) explains that Darwin used the metaphor of the tree of life "to express the other form of interconnectedness-genealogical rather than ecological-and to illustrate both success and failure in the history of life" (p.14). Option B: Darwin used the metaphor of the tree of life "to express the other form of interconnectedness-genealogical rather than ecological" (Gould, 1989, p.14).

Both are correct

Option A

Option B

Use direct quotations sparingly in your thesis, but when you do, be sure that you have noted the page number.

Explanation

Use direct quotations sparingly in your thesis, but when you do, be sure that you have noted the page number.

10. What punctuation mark is used to separate multiple works within the same parenthesis? Example: Several studies (Balda, 1980; Kammil, 1988; Pepperberg & Funk, 1990) confirm the use of metaphors increases learning.

Comma

Period

Semicolon

Quotations Marks

Using a semicolon correctly in any situation is impressive; it makes you look smart.

Explanation

Using a semicolon correctly in any situation is impressive; it makes you look smart.

11. Which of the following options is correct when citing multiple authors? Option A: Wasserstein and colleagues (1994) found... Option B: Wasserstein et al. (1994) found... Option C: The use of metaphors was found to be helpful (Wasserstein et al., 1994)...

Option A

Option B

Option C

All are correct

Learn to use et al. correctly because it will save you a lot of typing of names.

Explanation

Learn to use et al. correctly because it will save you a lot of typing of names.

12. Which is correct regarding the references included in a thesis or other academic style paper? Option A: Only citations that appear in the text should appear on the reference page Option B: Everything cited in the text should appear on the reference page.

Option A

Option B

Both are correct

Your instructors will help you with this, but remember that the reference lists shows everything in the paper and not simply all that you had to read to become the expert.

Explanation

Your instructors will help you with this, but remember that the reference lists shows everything in the paper and not simply all that you had to read to become the expert.

13. The following statement shows correct citation through paraphrasing within the text: In a 1989 article, Gould explores some of Darwin's most effective metaphors.

True

False

You may use the date and the authors name directly in the text -- just be sure to mix it up and use other options too.

Explanation

You may use the date and the authors name directly in the text -- just be sure to mix it up and use other options too.

14. If you have both the URL and the DOI for a research article that you found through an online source, should you include both in the reference?

Yes - APA says that more is better

No - just provide the DOI

Thanks for taking the quiz today. Please check with your instructor if you have any questions about APA. Also, there are great resources available to you online.

Explanation

Thanks for taking the quiz today. Please check with your instructor if you have any questions about APA. Also, there are great resources available to you online.

15. Is the following periodical correctly referenced? Little, D. W. (200l). Leading change: Creating the future for education technology. Syllabus International, 15(5), 22-24.

Yes

No

To correct it that author should italicize Syllabus International and the Volume number 15.

Explanation

To correct it that author should italicize Syllabus International and the Volume number 15.