Despite the exponential increase in the use of audiovisual material in teaching, learning and research in higher and further education, existing guidelines for the citation of moving image and sound are insufficient as they are based on standards developed for the written word. This has the effect of discouraging the citing of moving image and sound – the dominant media of our time – as well as creating barriers in its discovery, use and re-use.

Background to the project

In 2011, the BUFVC and Royal Holloway established a citation working group comprised of academics, researchers, journal editors, archivists and representatives from the BBC and British Library to address this key issue. Since 2012 this ground-breaking work has been incorporated into the BUFVC Shared Services Project, funded by HEFCE.

Project outcomes

Led by Dr Sian Barber, the aim of this pioneering work is to build an authoritative and accessible set of guidelines for the citation of audiovisual resources that will be applicable to a wide range of different users across all disciplines.

The extensive guidelines will cover: film, television programmes, radio programmes, DVD extras including interviews and commentaries, clips, trailers, adverts, idents, stings, non-broadcast material, amateur footage, archival material (catalogued and not catalogued) podcasts, vodcasts and DVD study materials.

The guidelines have been shaped by the diversity of moving image and sound materials requiring citation and will be open to future updates to ensure they effectively respond to advances in technology, development of new media platforms and the needs of the user.

The citation standards will be robustly tested prior to publication by a cross-section of potential users in higher and further education. This will include academics, students (under- and post-graduate), librarians and journal editors.

Timescale

The citation guidelines for moving image and sound will be published in March 2013 and reviewed periodically.

Further Information 

For more information please visit: bufvc.ac.uk/avcitation

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