British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Audiovisual Citation Project

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, as well as creating barriers in its discovery, use and re-use.

Background

In 2012, the BUFVC established a citation working group comprised of academics, researchers, journal editors, archivists and representatives from the British Library to address this key issue. This ground-breaking work is part of the BUFVC Shared Services Project, funded by HEFCE.

The aim of this pioneering work was to build an authoritative and accessible set of guidelines for the citation of audiovisual resources that would be applicable to a wide range of different users across all disciplines.

The extensive guidelines cover: film, television programmes, radio programmes, audio recordings, 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 were be robustly tested prior to publication by a cross-section of potential users in higher and further education,  including academics, students (under- and post-graduate), librarians and journal editors.

Timescale: The citation guidelines for moving image and sound were published on 27 March 2013. Access them here.

This is the first edition of the guidelines and it will be reviewed periodically. The BUFVC welcomes comments and feedback via email, or join the discussion by tweeting @bufvc.