How do you troubleshoot and fix common citation errors and issues using citation tools?

2 Verify the input data

The second step to avoid citation errors is to verify the input data that you provide to your citation tool. Many citation tools allow you to search for sources by keywords, titles, authors, or ISBNs, and automatically fill in the citation fields. However, this feature may not always be accurate or complete, especially if the source is obscure, outdated, or has multiple editions or versions. Therefore, you should always check the input data against the original source, and edit or add any missing or incorrect information manually.

4 Review the output

The fourth step to avoid citation errors is to review the output that your citation tool generates. Even if you follow the previous steps, your citation tool may still produce errors or inconsistencies, due to software glitches, updates, or limitations. Therefore, you should always proofread your citations and references, and compare them with the original sources and the style guidelines. You should also check for any formatting issues, such as spacing, indentation, punctuation, capitalization, or italics.

5 Use the edit feature

The fifth step to avoid citation errors is to use the edit feature of your citation tool. Most citation tools allow you to edit your citations and references after they are generated, either in the tool itself or in your word processor. You can use this feature to correct any errors or issues that you find in the output, or to customize your citations and references according to your preferences or needs. For example, you can use the edit feature to add annotations, notes, or cross-references to your citations and references.

6 Consult the help section

The sixth step to avoid citation errors is to consult the help section of your citation tool. Most citation tools have a help section that provides instructions, tips, examples, and FAQs on how to use the tool and how to cite different sources and styles. You can use this section to learn more about the features and functions of your citation tool, and to find solutions to common problems or questions. You can also contact the support team of your citation tool if you encounter any technical issues or errors that you cannot fix.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?