Citing A Lynda.com Course From 2016 A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

In today's academic and professional landscape, proper citation is paramount. Whether you're writing a research paper, crafting a professional report, or simply aiming to give credit where it's due, accurately citing your sources is essential for maintaining intellectual honesty and bolstering the credibility of your work. This holds true for a variety of sources, including online courses taken on platforms like Lynda.com, which has since transitioned to LinkedIn Learning. You might find yourself needing to cite a course you completed back in 2016, but the process can seem daunting given the platform's evolution and the passage of time. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the necessary steps to effectively cite a Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning) course from 2016, ensuring your citations are accurate and adhere to the appropriate citation style.

The challenge of citing online courses, especially those taken on platforms that have undergone changes, lies in gathering the necessary information and formatting it correctly according to the citation style you're using. Different citation styles, such as MLA, APA, and Chicago, have specific guidelines for citing online resources, and these guidelines can vary depending on the type of resource. For an online course, this typically involves including the instructor's name, the course title, the platform name (Lynda.com or LinkedIn Learning), the year the course was taken, and the URL. However, finding this information for courses taken several years ago may require some digging and a clear understanding of how the platform has changed over time. Furthermore, the specific details required for each citation style may differ slightly, adding another layer of complexity to the process. This guide aims to clarify these nuances and provide a step-by-step approach to ensure your citations are accurate and compliant with your chosen style.

Before delving into the specifics of citing a Lynda.com course from 2016, it's essential to understand the importance of accurate citation in academic and professional contexts. Citations serve several crucial functions. First and foremost, they give credit to the original creators of the work, avoiding plagiarism and upholding ethical standards. By acknowledging the sources you've used, you demonstrate your respect for intellectual property and contribute to a culture of academic integrity. Secondly, citations enhance the credibility of your work. When you cite reputable sources, you signal to your readers that your arguments are grounded in solid research and expert knowledge. This builds trust and strengthens the persuasiveness of your writing. Finally, citations allow readers to locate the sources you've used, enabling them to verify your information and explore the topic further. This transparency fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter and promotes intellectual discourse. Therefore, mastering the art of citation, including the nuances of citing online courses from platforms like Lynda.com, is a valuable skill that will benefit you throughout your academic and professional journey. In the following sections, we will explore the specific steps and considerations involved in accurately citing a Lynda.com course from 2016, ensuring your work meets the highest standards of academic and professional integrity.

Identifying Key Information for Citation

The first step in citing any source, including a Lynda.com course from 2016, is to gather the necessary information. This might seem straightforward, but for older online courses, it can require some detective work. The key pieces of information you'll need typically include:

• Course Title: The exact title of the course you took. This is crucial for accurate identification.
• Instructor's Name: The full name of the instructor(s) who taught the course. Knowing the instructor adds credibility to the citation.
• Platform Name: This will be either Lynda.com or LinkedIn Learning, depending on the context and how you want to present the information. Since the course was taken in 2016, Lynda.com is the more accurate name to use primarily.
• Publication or Copyright Year: The year the course was published or copyrighted. In this case, you'll be looking for the year 2016 or potentially earlier if the course was available before then. You may also use the year you took the course.
• URL (if available): If you can still access the course page on LinkedIn Learning, the URL can be helpful for readers to locate the resource. However, this is not always necessary, especially if the course is no longer available.
• Date of Access (if required by the citation style): Some citation styles, like MLA, require you to include the date you accessed the online resource.

Gathering this information can be achieved through a few avenues. Start by checking your personal records. Do you have any old notes, certificates of completion, or emails related to the course? These might contain the course title, instructor's name, and the year you took the course. If you still have access to your LinkedIn Learning account, try searching your learning history. LinkedIn Learning maintains a record of the courses you've completed, and this can be a valuable resource for retrieving the necessary details. If the course is still available on the platform, you should be able to find all the required information on the course page. However, if the course has been removed or updated, some information might be missing. In such cases, you may need to consult other resources. Try searching the internet for the course title or the instructor's name. You might find archived pages or mentions of the course on other websites. You could also try contacting LinkedIn Learning's support team for assistance, although they may not be able to provide information about older courses. Remember that the key is persistence and thoroughness. The more information you can gather, the more accurate and credible your citation will be. Once you have collected all the necessary details, you can move on to the next step: choosing the appropriate citation style and formatting your citation accordingly.

Knowing the course title is the most crucial part of your citation, but you must also know the instructor's name because it gives your citation credibility and helps readers look up more about the course's authority. Platform name, whether Lynda.com or LinkedIn Learning, is equally important since the transition of the platform occurred, and acknowledging the correct platform name for the time you took the course (2016) adds accuracy. If you happen to keep some old course completion certificates or personal notes, you can find out the exact publication year. These documents often contain details that can help you pinpoint the time when the course was originally available. Including the URL, if you can still access the course on LinkedIn Learning, is useful. Though not always required, it gives your readers a direct path to the material you're referencing. The date of access becomes critical depending on the citation style you're using. MLA, for example, usually needs this date because online content can change, making it important to show when you consulted the source. If you're having trouble gathering this information, try a few investigative methods. Start with your own records and emails, as they might have key details you need. If you're still on LinkedIn Learning, dig into your learning history – it's a goldmine for finding the courses you've done. If the course isn't there anymore or has been updated, don't give up. Internet searches can turn up archived pages or other mentions of the course. And while LinkedIn Learning's support might not always have information on older courses, it's still worth a try. By piecing together these bits of information, you'll build a citation that’s both accurate and trustworthy.

Choosing the Right Citation Style

Once you've gathered the necessary information about the Lynda.com course, the next crucial step is to select the appropriate citation style. The choice of citation style largely depends on the field of study, the publication venue, or the specific instructions provided by your instructor or institution. The most common citation styles are MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association), and Chicago. Each style has its own set of rules and guidelines for formatting citations, so it's essential to choose the correct one and adhere to its specifications.

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is widely used in the humanities, including literature, languages, and cultural studies. MLA emphasizes the author and work being cited, focusing on clarity and consistency. When citing a Lynda.com course in MLA style, you'll typically include the instructor's name, the course title, the platform name (Lynda.com or LinkedIn Learning), and the date you accessed the course, if available. The format for a Works Cited entry in MLA would generally follow this pattern:

Instructor's Last Name, First Name. "Course Title." Lynda.com (or LinkedIn Learning), Date Accessed (if required), URL (if available).

APA (American Psychological Association) style is commonly used in the social sciences, including psychology, education, and sociology. APA places a strong emphasis on the date of publication, highlighting the currency of the information. When citing a Lynda.com course in APA style, you'll include the instructor's name, the year the course was published, the course title, and the source (Lynda.com or LinkedIn Learning). The format for a References entry in APA would typically be:

Instructor's Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Course Title. Lynda.com (or LinkedIn Learning). URL (if available)

Chicago style is used in a wide range of disciplines, including history, literature, and the fine arts. Chicago offers two main citation styles: Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date. The Notes and Bibliography style is often used in the humanities, while the Author-Date style is more common in the sciences and social sciences. When citing a Lynda.com course in Chicago style, the format will vary depending on which version of the style you're using. In general, you'll include the instructor's name, the course title, the platform name, and the date you accessed the course. For a Bibliography entry in Chicago (Notes and Bibliography), the format might look like this:

Instructor's Last Name, First Name. "Course Title." Lynda.com (or LinkedIn Learning). Accessed Date (if required). URL (if available).

In addition to these three major styles, there are other citation styles, such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) style for engineering and scientific publications, and AMA (American Medical Association) style for medical and health-related fields. If you're unsure which citation style to use, it's always best to consult your instructor or the guidelines provided by the publication venue. They will be able to provide you with the specific requirements for your work. Once you've determined the appropriate citation style, you can then move on to formatting your citation according to that style's rules.

Choosing the right citation style is essential for academic and professional work, and your field of study or publication guidelines will often dictate this choice. MLA, commonly used in humanities like literature and languages, prioritizes author and work details. When citing a Lynda.com course in MLA, you’ll need the instructor's name, course title, platform name (Lynda.com or LinkedIn Learning), and the date you accessed the course if needed. The format for MLA in a Works Cited section typically looks like this: Instructor's Last Name, First Name. "Course Title." Lynda.com (or LinkedIn Learning), Date Accessed (if required), URL (if available). APA, popular in social sciences such as psychology and education, focuses more on the publication date to emphasize the currency of the information. For an APA citation, you’ll include the instructor’s name, the year the course was published, the course title, and the source. The format in References usually follows: Instructor's Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Course Title. Lynda.com (or LinkedIn Learning). URL (if available). Chicago style is versatile and used across various disciplines, from history to fine arts, and has two main styles: Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date. The first is often used in humanities, while the latter is common in sciences and social sciences. A Chicago-style citation includes the instructor’s name, course title, platform, and access date. In a Chicago (Notes and Bibliography) style, a Bibliography entry might be: Instructor's Last Name, First Name. "Course Title." Lynda.com (or LinkedIn Learning). Accessed Date (if required). URL (if available). Besides these, styles like IEEE for engineering and AMA for medical fields also exist. When unsure, the best step is always to consult your instructor or the specific guidelines of the publication you're working with. They'll provide the definitive requirements for your work, ensuring your citations are accurate and correctly formatted.

Formatting Your Citation

After selecting the appropriate citation style, the next crucial step is to format your citation accurately. Each citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) has specific rules for how to present the information you've gathered, including punctuation, capitalization, and the order of elements. Following these rules meticulously is essential for maintaining academic integrity and ensuring your readers can easily locate the source.

Let's delve into specific examples for each of the major citation styles, assuming we are citing a course titled "Graphic Design Fundamentals" taught by John Smith on Lynda.com in 2016:

MLA Format:

In MLA style, the citation would typically appear in your Works Cited list at the end of your paper. The format for a Lynda.com course would be:

Smith, John. "Graphic Design Fundamentals." Lynda.com, Accessed 15 Mar. 2024, www.exampleurl.com (if available).

Key elements to note:

• The instructor's last name is listed first, followed by a comma and the first name.
• The course title is enclosed in quotation marks.
• The platform name (Lynda.com) is italicized.
• The access date is included, following the format Day Month Year.
• The URL is included if available, but it's not always required.

APA Format:

In APA style, the citation would appear in your References list. The format would be:

Smith, J. (2016). Graphic Design Fundamentals. Lynda.com. www.exampleurl.com (if available).

Key elements to note:

• The instructor's last name is listed first, followed by the first initial.
• The year of publication (2016) is included in parentheses.
• The course title is italicized.
• The platform name (Lynda.com) is included.
• The URL is included if available.

Chicago Format (Notes and Bibliography):

In Chicago style (Notes and Bibliography), the citation in the Bibliography would look like this:

Smith, John. "Graphic Design Fundamentals." Lynda.com. Accessed March 15, 2024. www.exampleurl.com (if available).

Key elements to note:

• The instructor's last name is listed first, followed by the first name.
• The course title is enclosed in quotation marks.
• The platform name (Lynda.com) is included.
• The access date is included, following the format Month Day, Year.
• The URL is included if available.

Chicago Format (Author-Date):

In Chicago style (Author-Date), the citation in the References list would be:

Smith, John. 2016. "Graphic Design Fundamentals." Lynda.com. Accessed March 15, 2024. www.exampleurl.com (if available).

Key elements to note:

• The instructor's last name is listed first, followed by the first name.
• The year of publication (2016) is included after the name.
• The course title is enclosed in quotation marks.
• The platform name (Lynda.com) is included.
• The access date is included, following the format Month Day, Year.
• The URL is included if available.

These examples illustrate the importance of adhering to the specific formatting rules of each citation style. Pay close attention to punctuation, capitalization, and the order of elements to ensure your citations are accurate and consistent with the chosen style. Consistency in formatting is crucial throughout your work, as it demonstrates attention to detail and enhances the credibility of your research. If you're unsure about any aspect of formatting, consult the official style guide or a reliable online resource for clarification.

Formatting your citations correctly is a critical step, and you must stick to the specific rules of your chosen citation style, whether it's MLA, APA, or Chicago. Each style has precise guidelines for how you should present information, including the order of details, punctuation, and capitalization. Imagine you're citing a course named “Graphic Design Fundamentals” by John Smith on Lynda.com from 2016. Let's look at how this would appear in each style. In MLA style, which is commonly used in the humanities, the citation in your Works Cited would be: Smith, John. “Graphic Design Fundamentals.” Lynda.com, Accessed 15 Mar. 2024, www.exampleurl.com (if available). Here, the last name of the instructor comes first, followed by the first name. The course title is in quotation marks, Lynda.com is italicized, and the access date is formatted as Day Month Year. The URL, if available, comes last. Moving on to APA style, typically used in social sciences, the citation in your References would look like: Smith, J. (2016). Graphic Design Fundamentals. Lynda.com. www.exampleurl.com (if available). The instructor’s last name is listed with the first initial, the year of publication is in parentheses, and the course title is italicized. Finally, let's consider Chicago style, which has two main formats: Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date. In the Notes and Bibliography format, the citation in your Bibliography would be: Smith, John. “Graphic Design Fundamentals.” Lynda.com. Accessed March 15, 2024. www.exampleurl.com (if available). The instructor's full name is listed, the course title is in quotation marks, and the access date is formatted as Month Day, Year. In the Author-Date format, the citation in your References list would be: Smith, John. 2016. “Graphic Design Fundamentals.” Lynda.com. Accessed March 15, 2024. www.exampleurl.com (if available). Here, the year of publication follows the instructor’s name. These examples highlight the importance of meticulous formatting. Pay close attention to every detail, from punctuation to the order of elements. Consistency is key – it shows your attention to detail and adds credibility to your work. If you're unsure, always consult the official style guide for clarification.

Example Citations

To further illustrate the process of citing a Lynda.com course from 2016, let's look at a few example citations in different styles. These examples will provide concrete guidance and help you apply the principles discussed in the previous sections.

Example 1: Citing "Photoshop Essential Training" by Julieanne Kost in MLA Style

Assuming you took this course in 2016 and accessed it on March 15, 2024, the MLA citation would look like this:

Kost, Julieanne. "Photoshop Essential Training." Lynda.com, Accessed 15 Mar. 2024, www.exampleurl.com (if available).

In this example, we follow the MLA format, listing the instructor's last name first, followed by the first name. The course title is enclosed in quotation marks, and the platform name (Lynda.com) is italicized. The access date is included, and the URL is provided if available.

Example 2: Citing "Learning Python" by Joe Marini in APA Style

If you took this course in 2016, the APA citation would be formatted as follows:

Marini, J. (2016). Learning Python. Lynda.com. www.exampleurl.com (if available).

Here, we adhere to the APA style, listing the instructor's last name followed by the first initial. The year of publication (2016) is included in parentheses. The course title is italicized, and the platform name (Lynda.com) is provided. The URL is included if available.

Example 3: Citing "Illustrator 2015 One-on-One: Fundamentals" by Deke McClelland in Chicago Style (Notes and Bibliography)

In Chicago style (Notes and Bibliography), the citation would appear as follows:

McClelland, Deke. "Illustrator 2015 One-on-One: Fundamentals." Lynda.com. Accessed March 15, 2024. www.exampleurl.com (if available).

This example follows the Chicago style guidelines, listing the instructor's full name. The course title is enclosed in quotation marks, and the platform name (Lynda.com) is included. The access date is provided, and the URL is included if available.

Example 4: Citing "After Effects CC 2015: Motion Graphics and Visual Effects" by Chris Meyer in Chicago Style (Author-Date)

In Chicago style (Author-Date), the citation would be formatted as follows:

Meyer, Chris. 2016. "After Effects CC 2015: Motion Graphics and Visual Effects." Lynda.com. Accessed March 15, 2024. www.exampleurl.com (if available).

This example adheres to the Chicago style (Author-Date) guidelines, listing the instructor's full name followed by the year of publication (2016). The course title is enclosed in quotation marks, and the platform name (Lynda.com) is included. The access date is provided, and the URL is included if available.

These examples illustrate how to cite a Lynda.com course from 2016 in different citation styles. By following these examples and the guidelines discussed earlier, you can ensure your citations are accurate and adhere to the specific requirements of your chosen style. Remember to adapt these examples to your specific course details and citation style, paying close attention to punctuation, capitalization, and the order of elements. Consistency is key to maintaining the credibility of your work.

Looking at specific cases can clarify how to cite a Lynda.com course from 2016 in various styles. These examples are designed to give practical guidance, applying the principles we’ve already discussed. For instance, imagine you're citing “Photoshop Essential Training” by Julieanne Kost, a course you took in 2016 and accessed on March 15, 2024. In MLA style, the citation would appear as: Kost, Julieanne. “Photoshop Essential Training.” Lynda.com, Accessed 15 Mar. 2024, www.exampleurl.com (if available). This follows the MLA format, with the instructor’s last name first, the course title in quotation marks, Lynda.com italicized, and the access date and URL (if available) included. Now, consider “Learning Python” by Joe Marini, taken in 2016. The APA style citation would be: Marini, J. (2016). Learning Python. Lynda.com. www.exampleurl.com (if available). This APA format includes the instructor’s last name and first initial, the year in parentheses, the italicized course title, and the URL. In Chicago style, let's take “Illustrator 2015 One-on-One: Fundamentals” by Deke McClelland. In the Notes and Bibliography format, it’s cited as: McClelland, Deke. “Illustrator 2015 One-on-One: Fundamentals.” Lynda.com. Accessed March 15, 2024. www.exampleurl.com (if available). This Chicago style lists the full name of the instructor, puts the course title in quotation marks, and includes the access date and URL. If we use the Author-Date format in Chicago style for “After Effects CC 2015: Motion Graphics and Visual Effects” by Chris Meyer, the citation looks like: Meyer, Chris. 2016. “After Effects CC 2015: Motion Graphics and Visual Effects.” Lynda.com. Accessed March 15, 2024. www.exampleurl.com (if available). This format includes the instructor’s full name, the year, and the same remaining elements. These examples demonstrate how to accurately cite a Lynda.com course from 2016 in various citation styles. Remember to customize these templates with your specific course details, paying close attention to the nuances of punctuation, capitalization, and element order. This precision ensures the credibility and clarity of your work.

Conclusion

Citing a Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning) course from 2016 might seem complex, but by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure your citations are accurate and adhere to the appropriate citation style. The key takeaways include the importance of identifying key information, such as the course title, instructor's name, and publication year; choosing the correct citation style based on your field of study or publication guidelines; and formatting your citation meticulously according to the chosen style's rules. Furthermore, it's crucial to understand the nuances of citing online resources and how platforms like Lynda.com have evolved over time. By understanding these nuances, you can create citations that accurately reflect the source material and maintain academic integrity.

Remember that accurate citation is not just a matter of following rules; it's a fundamental aspect of academic and professional ethics. By giving credit to the original creators of the work you've used, you demonstrate respect for intellectual property and contribute to a culture of scholarly integrity. Moreover, well-formatted citations enhance the credibility of your work, signaling to your readers that your arguments are grounded in reliable sources. Whether you're writing a research paper, crafting a professional report, or simply sharing knowledge, the ability to cite sources accurately is an invaluable skill.

In the case of citing a Lynda.com course from 2016, you're dealing with a resource that exists in a specific historical context. Lynda.com was a prominent online learning platform at the time, and its courses were widely recognized for their quality and comprehensiveness. By citing a course from this era, you're acknowledging the platform's significance and the expertise of the instructors who created the content. Furthermore, you're providing your readers with a valuable reference point, allowing them to explore the subject matter further if they choose to do so. Even though Lynda.com has transitioned to LinkedIn Learning, the legacy of its courses remains, and proper citation ensures that this legacy is honored and respected.

In conclusion, mastering the art of citation, including the specific considerations for citing online courses from platforms like Lynda.com, is an essential skill for anyone engaged in academic or professional work. By following the guidelines and examples provided in this guide, you can confidently cite your sources accurately and contribute to a culture of intellectual honesty and scholarly excellence. Remember to always double-check your citations, consult style guides when needed, and prioritize accuracy and consistency in your work. With diligence and attention to detail, you can ensure that your citations meet the highest standards and enhance the credibility of your writing.

In summary, citing a Lynda.com course from 2016, now under the LinkedIn Learning umbrella, requires careful attention but is entirely manageable with the right approach. The main points to remember include identifying key details such as the course title, instructor's name, and publication year; selecting the correct citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) based on your field or publication requirements; and formatting your citation meticulously according to the chosen style’s guidelines. It's also important to recognize the historical context of the platform and how it has evolved, ensuring your citation accurately reflects the source material. Remember, accurate citation is not just about adhering to rules; it's about upholding ethical standards and giving due credit. By acknowledging your sources, you enhance the credibility of your work and contribute to a culture of intellectual integrity. For a Lynda.com course from 2016, this means recognizing the platform’s significance at the time and the expertise of its instructors. Citing these courses properly ensures that their legacy is respected. As you cite, always double-check your work, consult style guides, and prioritize consistency. With careful effort, your citations will meet the highest standards, bolstering the quality of your writing.