Prevalence and Characteristics of Reference List Errors: The Case for Educational Researcher

• In Event: Teaching and Conducting Educational Research

Abstract

Style errors outlined in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
(APA) were examined among 83 manuscripts submitted to Educational Researcher, the highest ranking among 177 journals representing education/education research, over 3.5 years. Mixed research techniques were utilized to determine the frequency and characteristics of APA errors committed in these manuscripts’ reference lists, and to explore relationships between reference list errors and selected manuscript variables (e.g., number of authors). Findings revealed that authors committed approximately 14 citation errors per manuscript, on average (M = 14.25, SD = 8.05). Further, 324 unique reference list errors were identified, yielding 14 reference list error themes. These findings indicate that Educational Researcher authors commit as many reference list errors as do other authors.

Authors

• Eunjin Hwang, Sam Houston State University

• Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie, Sam Houston State University

• Julie P. Combs, Sam Houston State University

• John R. Slate, Sam Houston State University