Citation templates are a type of template used in Wikipedia and other Wiki-based platforms to standardize the format and presentation of citations in articles. They are designed to ensure consistency, accuracy, and completeness in referencing sources, which is crucial for the credibility and reliability of the content.
A screenshot of a citation template in use, showing the structured fields for inputting bibliographic information.A screenshot of a citation template in use, showing the structured fields for inputting bibliographic information.
Purpose and Importance
The primary purpose of citation templates is to provide a standardized format for citing sources. This standardization facilitates the process of verifying the information presented in an article. It also ensures that all necessary bibliographic details are included, making it easier for readers to locate the original sources if they wish to explore the topic further.
Citation templates also serve to enhance the overall presentation of an article. They provide a clean, professional look to the references section, which can contribute to the perceived quality and credibility of the article.
Types of Citation Templates
There are various types of citation templates available, each designed for a specific type of source. Some of the most commonly used citation templates on Wikipedia include:
Book citation templates: These are used for citing books and book chapters. They typically include fields for the author(s), title, edition, publisher, year of publication, and ISBN.
Journal citation templates: These are used for citing articles published in academic journals. They usually include fields for the author(s), article title, journal title, volume and issue number, page range, year of publication, and DOI or PMID.
Web citation templates: These are used for citing online sources. They typically include fields for the author(s), title of the webpage, name of the website, publisher, date of publication or last update, URL, and access date.
News citation templates: These are used for citing news articles, whether print or online. They usually include fields for the author(s), article title, name of the newspaper or news website, publisher, date of publication, and URL (for online news sources).
Usage
To use a citation template, one must first select the appropriate template for the type of source being cited. The template is then filled out with the relevant bibliographic information. The filled-out template is inserted at the point in the article where the source is referenced.
In MediaWiki syntax, the use of a citation template typically looks like this:
== Overview ==
The Cite book template is a citation style commonly used in Wikipedia to reference books. It is a part of the larger family of citation templates that are used to accurately and consistently cite various types of sources. The template is designed to be comprehensive and detailed, allowing for the inclusion of a wide range of bibliographic information.
Usage
The Cite book template is used by inserting the following code into the text: Template loop detected: Template:Cite book. Each of these parameters corresponds to a specific piece of bibliographic information.
For instance, 'last' and 'first' refer to the last and first names of the book's author(s), 'date' refers to the publication date, 'title' is the title of the book, 'url' is the link to the online version of the book (if available), 'access-date' is the date when the online version was accessed, and 'publisher' is the name of the publishing company.
Parameters
The Cite book template includes a number of parameters, each of which corresponds to a specific piece of bibliographic information. These parameters are used to provide a detailed citation for the book being referenced.
A well-organized bookshelf with various types of books.A well-organized bookshelf with various types of books.
The following is a list of parameters used in the Cite book template:
last: The last name of the author(s).
first: The first name of the author(s).
date: The publication date of the book.
title: The title of the book.
url: The URL of the online version of the book (if available).
access-date: The date when the online version was accessed.
publisher: The name of the publishing company.
It's important to note that while these parameters are commonly used, they are not mandatory. The template is flexible and can accommodate a wide range of citation needs.
Variations
There are several variations of the Cite book template that can be used to accommodate different citation needs. These variations include:
Cite book |author-link=: This variation is used when the author of the book has a Wikipedia page. The 'author-link' parameter is used to create a hyperlink to the author's Wikipedia page.
Cite book |edition=: This variation is used to cite a specific edition of a book. The 'edition' parameter is used to specify the edition being cited.
Cite book |chapter=: This variation is used to cite a specific chapter of a book. The 'chapter' parameter is used to specify the chapter being cited.
Each field in the template corresponds to a specific piece of bibliographic information. For example, in the book citation template above, "last" refers to the last name of the author, "first" refers to the first name of the author, "title" refers to the title of the book, "year" refers to the year of publication, "publisher" refers to the publisher of the book, and "isbn" refers to the book's ISBN.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Citation templates offer several advantages. They promote consistency in the format of citations across articles, which can make it easier for readers to understand and verify the sources used. They also simplify the process of citing sources, as they provide a structured format for inputting bibliographic information.
However, citation templates also have some disadvantages. They can be complex and intimidating for new or inexperienced editors, potentially creating a barrier to participation. They can also be inflexible, as they may not accommodate all the nuances of different citation styles or types of sources.
