Accurately referencing sources is a cornerstone of academic integrity. When including information obtained from social media platforms like Instagram in scholarly work, adherence to established citation styles is essential. The American Psychological Association (APA) provides guidelines for citing various online sources, including social media profiles and posts. This method involves providing the author (account name), date, description of the content, and source URL. For example: @NatGeo. (2023, October 26). Stunning image of a snow leopard in the Himalayas [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/EXAMPLE/
Consistent and correct citation of online sources upholds academic honesty, ensuring proper credit is given to the content creator. It allows readers to independently verify the information presented and understand the sources upon which the research is based. Furthermore, referencing social media, when relevant to research, provides a contemporary and often real-time perspective on topics being studied. Early methods for citing online content were adapted from print citation formats, gradually evolving to address the unique characteristics of digital media.