Question:
What's a DOI and how do I use it?
Answer:
It stands for digital object identifier. It is part of a pay-to-play system where documents (articles, book, other documents or digital objects) where an item is registered and given a unique number, which acts as a persistent identifier for the digital object. Neither MLA (8th) or Chicago (17th) require a DOI, but APA values it above all other methods for signaling electronic access.
The DOI has moved through several permutations, from doi:xx.xxxx to http://dx.doi.org/xx.xxx to the current format, as of March 2017, https://doi.org/xx.xxx. No format is specifically required by APA, however the APA Style Blog recommends consistency.
Question:
Should links be left live in the "Retrieved from" statement or changed to text?
Answer:
There is no rule in APA 6th edition about live links versus text links. The APA Style Blog says to consider the delivery method, such as paper versus electronic. If paper, make the links text, but if electronic make live. The best idea is to ask your instructor and be consistent.
Question:
What is the correct way to write an APA-style annotated bibliography?
Answer:
The APA manual offers no advice on the correct format for an annotated bibliography. Certainly the citations should be in correct APA format, but the placement of the annotation has no recommendation hence there are many different recommendations on different universities' sites. The APA Style Blog explains that there is no such thing as a bibliography in APA, only a reference list. Options include:
The size of an annotation and the level of evaluation and the amount of non-evaluative summary depends on the kind of annotated bibliography. See our LibGuide on annotated bibliographies to learn more. For both of these issues, the best option is to consult with your faculty member.