Understanding and Using 'Ibid.' in Academic Writing

In the realm of academic writing, proper citation methods are crucial for maintaining the integrity and credibility of your research. One of the commonly used abbreviations is 'ibid.', which stands for ibidem in Latin and means 'the same' or 'in the same place'. However, the use of 'ibid.' has evolved over time, and there are specific guidelines to follow depending on the citation style being used.

Historical Context of 'Ibid.'

Traditionally, 'ibid.' was the conventional method of abbreviated citation for any publication cited previously in the same manuscript. For instance, if your first full citation is:

Gehman J. S., eds. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Kings. New York: Oxford University Press, 1951. pp. 67–73.

Subsequent citations would be styled as:

Gehman ibid. 72.

This method was widely used and even encouraged by the Chicago Manual of Style. However, it often led to confusion, especially when a single author had multiple citations in the same manuscript.

The Chicago Manual of Style and Modern Practices

The Chicago Manual of Style, a widely respected reference guide, now discourages the use of 'ibid.' in favor of shortened citations. Instead, it recommends citations such as:

Gehman. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary. 72.

The use of 'ibid.' is now limited to instances where it is repeating the previous citation:

Gehman ibid. 72.Ibid. 74.Ibid. 82.

This notation indicates that the previous publication is being cited, and the specific page numbers differ. The term 'Ibid.' should only be used when it refers to the same publication and the same page as the preceding reference.

APA and MLA Standards

Both the APA (American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern Language Association) styles have updated their guidelines to reflect the changing habits of academic writing. According to these styles, 'Ibid.' and the older term 'op. cit.' are no longer acceptable as basic citation markers. Instead, they recommend full citations or shortened forms as appropriate, depending on the context.

Practical Examples and Best Practices

Consider an example where 'ibid.' is used in the main text of a research paper. If your first citation is Dickens, Oliver Twist, 1838, p. 150, your next citation could be:

ibid, p. 39.

However, it is important to still include the full citation in your bibliography for clarity and completeness.

Some professors and editors are highly particular about formatting issues. My personal recommendation is to avoid making the reader think about what 'ibid.' refers to. In such cases, I would either:

Cite the full reference in the footnote, followed by 'ibid.', as in: Footnote for first reference: Dickens, Oliver Twist. 150. Footnote for subsequent reference: ibid., 39. If a citation is made within the main text, use 'ibid.' as the next reference, as in: Main text: "Further discussion on this topic can be found in Dickens (ibid. 39),' followed by the footnote: Dickens, Oliver Twist. 39. Prefer complete citations in subsequent footnotes for clarity, as in: Footnote: Dickens, Oliver Twist. 39.

Conclusion

Proper use of 'ibid.' can streamline your citations and improve the readability of your academic work. However, it is essential to adhere to the specific guidelines provided by the citation style you are using. Understanding these guidelines will help you communicate more effectively in academic writing and maintain the high standards expected in your field of study.

References

1. Chicago Manual of Style. (2017). Chicago University Press. Retrieved from

2. American Psychological Association. (2019). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Seventh Edition. American Psychological Association.

3. Modern Language Association. (2016). The MLA Handbook. Eighth Edition. Modern Language Association of America.