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Academic Writing and Citation Formats in Turkey

Learn about the key academic writing and citation formats used in Turkey. Discover the essential information you need for a successful academic career!

In academic work in Turkey, internationally recognized citation formats are generally used. The most common are the APA, MLA, and Chicago styles. Which format you should use typically depends on your field of study or your professor’s preferences.

The Most Commonly Used Formats

1. APA (American Psychological Association)

  • Used In: It is widely used in the social sciences (psychology, education, sociology, etc.) and some natural sciences.

  • Features: It is based on the author-date system. For in-text citations, the author’s last name and the publication year are used (e.g., (Yılmaz, 2020)). The reference list is arranged alphabetically.

2. MLA (Modern Language Association)

  • Used In: It is preferred in the humanities (literature, linguistics, art, etc.).

  • Features: It uses the author-page number system. In-text citations include only the author’s last name and the page number (e.g., (Yılmaz 45)). The reference list is provided alphabetically under the heading “Works Cited”.

3. Chicago

  • Used In: It is used in history, art history, and some social sciences.

  • Features: It has two different systems:

    • Notes and Bibliography System: Generally preferred in fields like history. A footnote is added at the bottom of the page for each source.

    • Author-Date System: In-text citations are made in a similar way to the APA format.

Key Points for Academic Writing

  • Consistency: You must apply the rules of your chosen format consistently from beginning to end.

  • Originality: You must always cite information taken from another source correctly. Failing to cite is considered plagiarism, a breach of academic ethics.

  • Accuracy: You must ensure that all information in your reference list (author’s name, publication year, title, publisher, etc.) is correct and complete.

Most universities or institutes specify their preferred format in their own thesis writing guidelines. Therefore, it is best to check your school’s or department’s writing guide before starting your work.

If you have any other questions about academic writing and citations, feel free to ask.

University Practices

  • YÖK Thesis Writing Guide: This sets the general framework for theses in Turkey.
  • Universities have their own institute writing guides (e.g., Hacettepe University, Istanbul University, METU).
  • Some institutes require APA, while others prefer ISNAD or Chicago.

What font is used in academic papers?

The font used in academic papers in Turkey generally depends on the university’s or journal’s writing guide. However, the most widely accepted standards are as follows:

Most Commonly Used Fonts

  1. Times New Roman
    • It is the most classic and most preferred font.
    • 12-point font with 1.5 line spacing is considered standard.
    • The default font in many national and international journals.
  2. Arial
    • Used by journals that want a simpler, more modern look.
    • 11-point font is generally preferred.
  3. Calibri
    • It has been preferred by some journals and universities, especially in recent years.
    • It is one of the default fonts in Microsoft Office.

Special Cases

  • Footnotes and bibliography: Generally written in 10–11 point font.
  • Headings: Are made bold, and the size can be 12–14 point.
  • Tables and figure captions: A smaller font size (10–11) can be used.
  • Mathematical expressions and symbols: Can be written with fonts like Cambria Math or similar.

What is APA 7.0 format?

APA 7.0, which stands for the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th Edition, is the most common citation and referencing system used in academic writing, especially in the social sciences. It was published in 2019 and includes some changes from the previous version (APA 6.0).

Key Features of APA 7.0

  1. Formatting
    • Font: Times New Roman (12-point), Calibri (11-point), Arial (11-point), or Georgia (11-point) are acceptable.
    • Line spacing: Double-spaced.
    • Paragraph indent: 1.25 cm.
    • Page numbers: Top right corner.
  2. In-Text Citations
    • The Author-Date system is used.
    • One author: (Yılmaz, 2020)
    • Two authors: (Yılmaz & Demir, 2020)
    • Three or more authors: (Yılmaz et al., 2020)
  3. Reference List Layout (References)
    • The author’s last name and first initial are written.
    • All sources are listed in alphabetical order.
    • A “hanging indent” is used for each source.

Examples

Book

Yılmaz, A. (2020). Eğitimde teknoloji kullanımı [The use of technology in education]. Ankara: Pegem Akademi.

Book Chapter

Demir, B. (2019). Eğitimde dijital dönüşüm [Digital transformation in education]. In A. Yılmaz (Ed.), 21. yüzyılda eğitim [Education in the 21st century] (pp. 45–67). İstanbul: Beta.

Article

Kara, F., & Yıldız, G. (2021). Öğrenme stillerinin akademik başarıya etkisi [The effect of learning styles on academic success]. Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi [Journal of Educational Sciences], 15(2), 123–135. https://doi.org/10.1234/ebd.2021.5678

Internet Source

World Health Organization. (2020, March 27). Mental health and COVID-19. https://www.who.int/news-room

Some Differences Between APA 6.0 and 7.0

  • For sources with three or more authors, “et al.” is now used from the first citation (previously, this applied only to sources with four or more authors).
  • For internet sources, the retrieval date is only included if the content is likely to change over time.
  • DOI numbers are now presented in the format https://doi.org/.
  • The “Running head” requirement has been removed.