When reading academic papers or research topics, you may come across the term “ibidem” or its abbreviation “Ibid.” But what does it mean, and why is it used in citations? This topic will explain the meaning of ibidem, its purpose in referencing, and how to use it correctly in different citation styles.
What Does “Ibidem” Mean?
“Ibidem” is a Latin word that means “in the same place.” In academic writing, it is used in citations to refer to the same source as the previous reference. Instead of repeating the full citation, “Ibid.” helps save space and maintain clarity.
For example:
- John Smith, The History of Science, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2020), p. 45.
- Ibid., p. 50.
Here, “Ibid.” tells the reader that the second reference is from the same book as the first citation but from a different page.
Why Is “Ibid.” Used in Citations?
The main reasons for using Ibid. in citations are:
✔ Avoiding Repetition – It prevents the need to rewrite the same source multiple times.
✔ Improving Readability – Citations look cleaner and are easier to follow.
✔ Saving Space – It reduces the length of footnotes or endnotes.
How to Use “Ibidem” in Different Citation Styles
Different academic styles use “Ibid.” in various ways. Below are examples of how to apply it correctly.
1. Chicago Style (Footnotes & Endnotes)
Chicago style is commonly used in history, philosophy, and the humanities. In this format, “Ibid.” is used in footnotes or endnotes.
Example:
- John Doe, Ancient Civilizations (New York: Academic Press, 2021), 100.
- Ibid., 105.
If the reference is from the same page as the previous citation, just write “Ibid.” without a page number:
Example:
- John Doe, Ancient Civilizations (New York: Academic Press, 2021), 100.
- Ibid.
2. MLA Style (Modern Language Association)
MLA style does not typically use “Ibid.” Instead, it prefers short-form citations with the author’s name and page number.
Example:
- (Smith 45)
- (Smith 50)
Since MLA discourages footnotes for standard citations, “Ibid.” is rarely used in this style.
3. APA Style (American Psychological Association)
APA style does not use “Ibid.” It requires full in-text citations each time a source is referenced.
Example:
- Smith (2020) found that history repeats itself (p. 45).
- Smith (2020) also noted that scholars often revisit past events (p. 50).
For APA, always repeat the author’s name and year instead of using “Ibid.”
Common Mistakes When Using “Ibid.”
-
Using “Ibid.” When the Source Has Changed
- “Ibid.” should only be used if the reference is exactly the same as the previous one.
-
Using “Ibid.” Incorrectly in APA or MLA
- Remember that APA and MLA styles do not use “Ibid.” Stick to their specific formatting rules.
-
Forgetting to Add Page Numbers When Needed
- If the page number is different, always specify it after “Ibid.”
Is “Ibid.” Still Commonly Used?
With modern citation tools like Zotero and EndNote, the use of “Ibid.” has declined. Some academic styles, like Chicago (17th edition), now recommend using shortened citations instead of “Ibid.”
However, “Ibid.” is still widely used in manual citations, legal documents, and historical research papers.
“Ibidem” or “Ibid.” is a useful citation tool that refers to the same source as the previous reference. It helps keep citations concise and easy to read, especially in Chicago style footnotes. However, APA and MLA do not use “Ibid.”, so it’s important to follow the correct citation rules for each format. Understanding when and how to use “Ibid.” will improve the clarity and professionalism of academic writing.