In the digital age, Google Maps has become an indispensable tool for researchers, students, and professionals across various disciplines. As its use in academic and professional work increases, so does the need for proper citation. Correctly citing Google Maps not only gives credit where it’s due but also allows readers to verify information and explore sources further. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the intricacies of citing Google Maps across different citation styles, ensuring your work maintains academic integrity and professionalism.
Citation formats for google maps in academic writing
When it comes to citing Google Maps in academic writing, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Different citation styles have their own specific requirements for referencing online mapping tools. The most commonly used citation formats include APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard. Each of these styles has unique rules for in-text citations and reference list entries when it comes to Google Maps.
It’s crucial to understand that citing Google Maps often involves more than just copying and pasting a URL. You’ll need to consider factors such as the type of map view (e.g., street view, satellite imagery), the specific location or area depicted, and the date you accessed the map. Some citation styles may also require you to include additional information, such as the map’s scale or coordinates.
Let’s delve into the specifics of each major citation style to ensure you’re equipped to cite Google Maps accurately in your academic work.
APA style guidelines for google maps references
The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used in the social sciences and beyond. When citing Google Maps in APA format, you’ll need to follow specific guidelines for both in-text citations and reference list entries. The APA 7th edition, the most current version, provides clear instructions for citing online maps.
In-text citation structure for google maps in APA
When referencing Google Maps within your text using APA style, you’ll typically use a parenthetical citation. The basic structure is as follows:
(Google Maps, year)
For example, if you’re discussing a map you viewed in 2023, your in-text citation would look like this:
(Google Maps, 2023)
If you’re mentioning Google Maps as part of your sentence, you can integrate the year into your text:
According to Google Maps (2023), the distance between London and Paris is approximately 344 km.
Reference list entry format for google maps in APA 7th edition
For the reference list entry in APA 7th edition, you’ll need to provide more detailed information. The basic format is:
Google Maps. (Year). [Description of map]. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
Here’s an example of how this might look in practice:
Google Maps. (2023). [Satellite view of the Eiffel Tower, Paris, France]. Retrieved June 15, 2023, from https://www.google.com/maps/@48.8583701,2.2922926,18z/data=!3m1!1e3
Note that the description in brackets should be as specific as possible, clearly indicating what the map shows. The retrieval date is important because Google Maps content can change over time.
Citing dynamic vs. static google maps in APA
It’s important to distinguish between dynamic and static maps when citing Google Maps in APA style. Dynamic maps are interactive and can be zoomed or panned, while static maps are fixed images.
For dynamic maps, you should use the format described above. For static maps (such as those embedded as images in a document), you would treat the citation more like an image. The format would be:
Google Maps. (Year). [Static map of location]. Retrieved from URL
Remember to include a figure number and caption if you’re inserting the static map as a figure in your document.
APA citation examples for google maps street view and satellite imagery
When citing specific features of Google Maps like Street View or satellite imagery, you should include this information in your description. Here are some examples:
- Street View: Google Maps. (2023). [Street View of the Colosseum, Rome, Italy]. Retrieved July 1, 2023, from [URL]
- Satellite Imagery: Google Maps. (2023). [Satellite view of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia]. Retrieved July 2, 2023, from [URL]
- Terrain View: Google Maps. (2023). [Terrain view of Mount Everest]. Retrieved July 3, 2023, from [URL]
Always ensure that your description accurately reflects the specific view or feature you’re referencing in your work.
MLA format for citing google maps
The Modern Language Association (MLA) format is commonly used in humanities disciplines. When citing Google Maps in MLA style, you’ll need to follow a different set of guidelines compared to APA. The MLA 9th edition, the most recent version, provides specific instructions for citing online maps.
MLA 9th edition rules for google maps works cited entries
In MLA format, the Works Cited entry for Google Maps follows this general structure:
Google Maps. "Description of Map." Google Maps, Year, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
Here’s an example of how this might look in practice:
Google Maps. “Map of Central Park, New York City.” Google Maps, 2023, www.google.com/maps/place/Central+Park/@40.7825547,-73.9655834,15z. Accessed 15 June 2023.
Note that in MLA format, you don’t need to include “https://” at the beginning of the URL unless the URL doesn’t work without it. Also, the access date is crucial in MLA citations for online sources like Google Maps.
Parenthetical and narrative citations for google maps in MLA
For in-text citations in MLA, you have two options: parenthetical and narrative citations. For Google Maps, you would typically use the title of the map (in quotation marks) as your in-text reference.
Parenthetical citation example:
The layout of Central Park shows a blend of natural and designed landscapes (“Map of Central Park”).
Narrative citation example:
According to the “Map of Central Park” on Google Maps, the reservoir occupies a significant portion of the park’s center.
If you’re citing multiple maps from Google Maps, you may need to include part of the description to differentiate between them in your in-text citations.
Citing google maps features like my maps and terrain view in MLA
When citing specific features of Google Maps in MLA format, include this information in your description. Here are some examples:
- My Maps: Google Maps. “Custom Map of Coffee Shops in Seattle.” Google Maps, 2023, [URL]. Accessed 20 June 2023.
- Terrain View: Google Maps. “Terrain View of the Rocky Mountains.” Google Maps, 2023, [URL]. Accessed 21 June 2023.
- Traffic Layer: Google Maps. “Traffic Map of Los Angeles.” Google Maps, 2023, [URL]. Accessed 22 June 2023.
Remember to be as specific as possible in your descriptions to help readers understand exactly what you’re referencing.
Chicago/turabian style google maps citations
The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) and its student version, Turabian, offer two citation systems: notes-bibliography and author-date. Both systems can be used to cite Google Maps, but the format differs slightly between them.
Notes-bibliography system for google maps references
In the notes-bibliography system, you’ll use footnotes or endnotes for citations. The basic format for a Google Maps citation in a note is:
Google Maps, "Description of map," accessed Month Day, Year, URL.
For example:
Google Maps, “Satellite view of the Pyramids of Giza,” accessed July 5, 2023, https://www.google.com/maps/@29.9772962,31.1324955,2101m/data=!3m1!1e3
In the bibliography, the entry would be formatted as follows:
Google Maps. "Description of map." Accessed Month Day, Year. URL.
Author-date style citations for google maps in chicago
For the author-date system, the in-text citation would include Google Maps and the year:
(Google Maps 2023)
The reference list entry would be formatted as:
Google Maps. 2023. "Description of map." Accessed Month Day, Year. URL.
For example:
Google Maps. 2023. “Street view of the Champs-Élysées, Paris.” Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.google.com/maps/@48.8698909,2.3076051,3a,75y,98.09h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sYs…
Formatting google maps URLs in chicago style footnotes
When including Google Maps URLs in Chicago style footnotes, it’s important to consider readability. If the URL is excessively long, you may truncate it, ensuring that the reader can still locate the map. For example:
Google Maps, "Traffic view of Manhattan," accessed July 7, 2023, https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7589657,-73.9851704,13z/data=!5m1!1e1.
If you’re using a shortened URL, make sure it’s from a reputable URL shortening service and that it will remain stable over time.
Harvard referencing system for google maps
The Harvard referencing system, popular in the UK and Australia, has its own approach to citing Google Maps. While there can be slight variations between institutions, the general format remains consistent.
For in-text citations in Harvard style, you would typically use:
(Google Maps, Year)
For example: (Google Maps, 2023)
In the reference list, the entry would typically follow this format:
Google Maps Year, Description of map, viewed Day Month Year, .
Here’s an example:
Google Maps 2023, Map of Oxford University, viewed 8 July 2023, .
Remember to check your institution’s specific guidelines, as there can be slight variations in Harvard style formatting.
Legal citation methods for google maps evidence
When citing Google Maps in legal documents or academic legal writing, you may need to follow specific citation rules depending on the jurisdiction and the type of document you’re preparing.
In the United States, for instance, The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is commonly used. When citing Google Maps in a legal context using The Bluebook, you might format it as follows:
Google Maps, [Description of Map], [URL] (last visited [Month Day, Year]).
For example:
Google Maps, Map of the U.S. Supreme Court, https://www.google.com/maps/place/Supreme+Court+of+the+United+States/@38.8896882,-77.0063861,17z (last visited July 9, 2023).
Always consult the specific citation guide required by your court or institution, as legal citation methods can vary significantly between jurisdictions and document types.
Tools and software for automating google maps citations
To streamline the process of citing Google Maps and other sources, several tools and software options are available. These can help ensure accuracy and consistency in your citations, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.
Zotero’s google maps citation generator
Zotero, a free, open-source reference management software, offers a browser extension that can capture and save Google Maps citations. To use it:
- Install the Zotero Connector for your browser
- Navigate to the Google Maps page you want to cite
- Click the Zotero icon in your browser to save the map as a reference
- Use Zotero to generate citations in your preferred style
Zotero can generate citations for Google Maps in various styles, including APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard.
Mendeley reference manager for google maps sources
Mendeley, another popular reference management tool, can also be used to cite Google Maps. While it doesn’t have a direct Google Maps citation feature, you can manually add Google Maps as a web page source. Here’s how:
- In Mendeley Desktop, click ‘Add Entry Manually’
- Choose ‘Web Page’ as the document type
- Fill in the details, including the URL and access date
- Use Mendeley’s citation tool to insert the citation in your document
Mendeley supports a wide range of citation styles and can be a valuable tool for managing all your references, including Google Maps.
Using CitationMachine for google maps bibliography entries
CitationMachine is an online tool that can generate citations for various sources, including Google Maps. To use it for Google Maps:
- Go to CitationMachine.net
- Select your citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.)
- Choose ‘Website’ as the source type
- Enter the Google Maps URL and other required information
- Click ‘Make citation’ to generate your citation
While CitationMachine can be helpful, always double-check the generated citations against the official style guide to ensure accuracy.
By understanding the nuances of citing Google Maps across different citation styles and utilizing available tools, you can ensure that your academic or professional work maintains the highest standards of attribution and credibility. Remember, proper citation not only gives credit to your sources but also allows your readers to explore and verify the information you’ve presented.