Citing and referencing: Social media

A guide to the styles recommended by Monash schools and departments for students and researchers

Page contents

Social media

Blog

Note: Blogs are NOT acceptable academic sources unless as objects of research.

Required Information Blogger's first name and last name, Title of blog post [online blog] <URL> [Accessed Day Month Year]
First Footnote

1 Ian Paul, Church Investment: Unethical? Unbiblical? [online blog] <http://www.psephizo.com/life-ministry/church-investment-unethical-unbiblical/> [accessed 1 July 2014]

Subsequent  footnotes

Paul, Church Investment.

Note: Only use the shortened version of the title if more than one text by the same author has been referred to. 

Bibliography

Paul, Ian, Church Investment: Unethical? Unbiblical? [online blog] <http://www.psephizo.com/life-ministry/church-investment-unethical-unbiblical/ [accessed 1 July 2014]


Wiki entry

Note: Wikis are NOT acceptable academic sources unless as objects of research.

Required Information 'Title of the Wiki Page', Title of the Wiki, date last updated, <URL> [accessed date]
First Footnote

1 'Wikipedia: Citing Wikipedia', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 3 April 2014, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_Wikipedia> [accessed 10 May 2014]

Subsequent  footnotes

2 'Wikipedia: Citing Wikipedia'.
Bibliography

'Wikipedia: Citing Wikipedia', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 3 April 2014, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_Wikipedia> [accessed 10 May 2014]


Twitter and similar Social Networks

Note: Social Networks are NOT acceptable academic sources unless as objects of research.

Required Information

Note: Citing of short postings from social networks, such as Twitter can be placed in the main body of your work or in a footnote.

Commentors first and last name, 'comment given in full exactly as posted, including exact same spelling, punctuation, @handles and #hastags used.' [Name of Social Network] (@twitter handle or username of commentor, date posted).

Footnote

1 Justin Welby, 'In Holy Week as we approach the cross we need to recognise both the suffering of the world around and our own need of repentance.' [Twitter] @ABCJustin, 27 March 2013).

Main body of Work

Justin Welby during Holy Week tweeted 'In Holy Week as we approach the cross we need to recognise both the suffering of the world around and our own need of repentance.' ​(@ABCJustin, 27 March 2013).


Facebook

Note: Facebook is NOT an acceptable academic sources unless as objects of research.

Required Information Author's first name and last name or User name/Group name, 'Posting title' [Facebook post], Date of Posting <URL> [Accessed Date]
First Footnote

Evangelical Alliance, 'Welby vs Wonga' [Facebook post], 26 July 2013 <https://www.facebook.com/evangelicalalliance?rf=109471542405510> [Accessed 29 July 2013]

Subsequent  footnotes

Evangelical Alliance.
Bibliography

Evangelical Alliance, 'Welby vs Wonga' [Facebook post], 26 July 2013 <https://www.facebook.com/evangelicalalliance?rf=109471542405510> [Accessed 29 July 2013]


YouTube (or similar) video

Note: YouTube or similar are NOT acceptable academic sources unless as objects of research.

Required Information Author first name and last name or compiler name (if available), Title of YouTube video [Name of website followed by the word video], Organisation responsible, Date video posted <URL> [Accessed date]
First Footnote

 Monash Univeristy's World Rankings [You Tube video], Monash University, 16 December 2013 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdZJKYXK2us> [Accessed 1 January 2014]

Subsequent  footnotes

2 Monash Univeristy's World Rankings.
Bibliography

 Monash Univeristy's World Rankings [You Tube video], Monash University, 16 December 2013 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdZJKYXK2us[Accessed 1 January 2014]


Podcast

Note: Podcasts are NOT acceptable academic sources unless as objects of research.

Required Information Author/presenter first name and last name, Title of podcast [podcast], Organisation responsible, Day/month/year of podcast <web address> [Accessed Day/month/year].
First Footnote

1 Dr Karl, Cold Space, muscle spasms and the blood brain barrier [podcast], Triple J, Science on Mornings, 19 June 2014 <http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/media/s4029165.htm> [Accessed 20 June 2014]

Subsequent  footnotes

2 Karl.
Bibliography

Karl, Dr, Cold Space, muscle spasms and the blood brain barrier [podcast], Triple J, Science on Mornings, 19 June 2014 <http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/media/s4029165.htm> [Accessed 20 June 2014]