Student guide to Open Educational Resources (OER): How to cite OER
How "citations" and "attributions" connect
How "citations" and "attributions" connect
Remember, citing openly licensed materials, whether they're images or videos or textbooks, is often referred to as "attribution" in the OER world. To "attribute" something, you are giving credit. It's the same idea as "citing" -- just a different term for it.
Citing = Attributing
Citation = Attribution
You can cite or attribute openly licensed materials in different ways. I will outline the two main methods below. Remember to always doublecheck with your instructors about which citation method(s) they prefer.
Introduction to citing OER multimedia (images, video, and audio):
This TCC Library video tutorial (8:18 mins) goes over two methods for citing openly licensed multimedia (images, videos, and sound effects), including the TAL (Title-Author-License) method, and the citation style method. Note: This video includes general examples for MLA style, 8th ed., which still work for the 9th ed. of MLA.
- How to cite OER multimediaClick this link to view this TCC Library video tutorial in a new window. This video highlights MLA style citations, 8th ed., but these citations still work for MLA, 9th ed.
- Introduction to OER vocabulary, concepts, and open licensesClick this link to view this TCC Library video tutorial in a new window.
Cite OER using the TAL method
TAL method
The basic format for attributing OER using the TAL method is:
Title -- Author -- License
In other words:
- T = Title
- A = Author
- L = License (i.e. open license)
You can use this method for citing any type of OER, including textbooks, images, videos, and more.
Use Open Attribution Builder form to create a TAL citation for OER
This "open attribution builder" online form was created by Open Washington, and you can use it to create any kind of openly licensed material according to the TAL method described above.
Note that there are additional fields in the form, as seen below, but you only need to put in the info that's applicable to your source. There are also little question marks that provide additional info about each field.
- Open Attribution BuilderUser-friendly form from Open Washington to help you build consistent and concise attributions for citing open material you find and use, or to attribute yourself when you create something and want to share. Includes both CC licenses and public domain designations.
Cite OER using a regular citation style
Using a Regular Citation and Adding the CC License Info
If your instructor prefers that you cite your sources using a regular citation style, like APA or MLA, then you just simply add the CC or public domain license info at the end of your regular citation.
Let's do an example for an image that I want to cite in MLA style (8th ed.).
-
First Step: Create a Regular Citation
First, you will need to cite the image, video, etc. like you normally would in MLA citation style.
Basic formula for citing an IMAGE in MLA style:
Owner/author/creator. “Title of Image.” Title of Website, Publisher (if applicable), Publication date, URL. Access date.
Example of citing an IMAGE in MLA style:
Claypool, Robert. “Flamingo.” Flickr, 5 Oct. 2012, flic.kr/p/dh7axD. Accessed 9 Nov. 2021.
-
Second Step: Add the License Info at the End
The next step is to ADD the license information at the end of the regular citation. So this is where you need to pay attention to the license that comes with each image or video you choose to use -- that's where knowing those symbols, like the CC BY SA, come in handy! You can either use the acronyms (like CC BY SA), or the text versions of the license (like CC Attribution - Share Alike, which is the text version of CC BY SA).
Notes:
- For images or videos, etc., that are in the public domain, just add "Public Domain" as the license.
- For resources that are allowed for educational use -- like Khan Academy videos, just add a phrase like "Educational use allowed" in place of the license info.
Example of adding license information for an IMAGE for the complete citation:
Claypool, Robert. “Flamingo.” Flickr, 5 Oct. 2012, flic.kr/p/dh7axD. Accessed 9 Nov. 2021. CC BY 2.0.
Need More Examples?
See the Guide and Resources Below
- MLA style reference guide for multimedia (9th ed.)This single-sided PDF handout provides some examples for commonly used multimedia (images, videos, sound effect clips, and recorded music).
- APA style reference guide for multimedia (7th ed.)This single-sided PDF handout provides some citation examples for commonly used multimedia (images, videos, sound effect clips, and recorded music).
Image sources:
- "Photo icon" by IO-Images, Pixabay, is licensed under CC0 (public domain).
Except where otherwise noted, the content in these guides by Tacoma Community College Library is licensed under CC BY SA 4.0.
This openly licensed content allows others to cite, share, or modify this content, with credit to TCC Library. When reusing or adapting this content, include this statement in the new document: This content was originally created by Tacoma Community College Library and shared with a CC BY SA 4.0 license.
Tacoma Community College Library - Building 7, 6501 South 19th Street, Tacoma, WA 98466 - P. 253.566.5087
Visit us on Instagram!