We have implemented a tool that analyses word cases errors in the titles of sources in bibliographic references. What is it and how does it work?
Each citation style has its own specific requirements to the case of words in the title of a source written in the English language. For example, in accordance with the rules of APA Style (7th ed.) (as well as of many other citation styles such as Harvard, etc.), the words in the title should be given in sentence case:
Gibson, M., Sotiropoulou, S., Tobin, S., & Gafos, A. I. (2019). Temporal aspects of word initial single consonants and consonants in clusters in Spanish. Phonetica, 76(6), 448–478. https://doi.org/10.1159/000501508
In contrast, MLA Style (8th ed.) (and styles such as Chicago, etc.) require to write the titles in title case (i.e. with each main word capitalised):
Gibson, Mark, et al. "Temporal Aspects of Word Initial Single Consonants and Consonants in Clusters in Spanish." Phonetica, vol. 76, no. 6, 2019, pp. 448-78, doi:10.1159/000501508. Accessed 24 Feb. 2021.
Our analyser of case errors will automatically show you where the case of the title is, most probably, not in compliance with the chosen citation style and will offer a correct title spelling for this particular style: you can update the reference with the correct title in just one click.
The examples of references above are taken directly from our service: note that, when converting into the title case in MLA, the initial letters in prepositions and conjunctions are still lowercase, which is in line with the requirements of the citation style. Our service takes into account these aspects and provides the suggested title spelling.
Also, when you add sources from catalogues, all words in the title can often be written with all capital letters, for example:
Stetson, J. B. (1963). THE EFFECTS OF MASSIVE TRANSFUSIONS OF BLOOD AND BLOOD PRESERVATIVES. International Anesthesiology Clinics, 2(1), 79–90. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004311-196311000-00006
Now, we will reveal this error, and you will be able to generate a bibliographic reference in the correct case in just one click:
Stetson, J. B. (1963). The effects of massive transfusions of blood and blood preservatives. International Anesthesiology Clinics, 2(1), 79–90. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004311-196311000-00006
We have been trying to make our analyser to the utmost efficient both in the identification of errors and the generation of the suggested spelling, but we still ask you to check the recommended title, namely the proper names and acronyms in it, which will be given with all lowercase letters when converted into the sentence case.
We are confident that this innovation will make your work with references easier.
If you do not want to get the suggestions on the case to use or you wish to turn on these notifications only when your list of references is complete, you can turn off the case analyser in the bibliography menu.