Searching High and Low

One of the changes in the seventh edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is that the “medium of publication” must be included for each item that appears in a works cited page.

I was curious to see a list of the authorized terms MLA wants us to use in describing the “medium of publication” but did not see one in the book.  So, I made my own.

Here’s a list of the MLA “medium of publication” types that I compiled from the seventh edition handbook along with the rule numbers in the manual. The format looks like this:

Broad category

MLA terms appear in bold text – additional description if needed.

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Print publications – 5.4 through 5.5

Print – books, periodical articles,

Web publications - 5.6

Web – websites, articles from research databases such as LexisNexis and Academic Search Premier.

Television or radio broadcast - 5.7.1

Radio – (medium of reception) radio broadcasts
Television – (medium of reception)

Sound recording - 5.7.2

Audiocassette
Audiotape – reel to reel
CD
LP

Film or video recording - 5.7.3

Film
DVD
Videocassette
Laser disc
Sound filmstrip
Slide program

Live performances - 5.7.4

Performance

Visual art (indicate the medium of composition) - 5.7.6

Photograph
Graphite on paper
Bronze
Oil on canvas

Interviews – 5.7.7

Personal interview
Telephone interview

Miscellaneous

E-mail - 5.7.13
Microform - 5.7.15 (microfilm, microfiche, microcard)

CD-ROM – 5.7.17
DVD-ROM - 5.7.17

Scores – musical score or libretto - 5.7.5

Digital Files (specify the type of file and follow with “file” ) - 5.7.18

Digital file – Use if you cannot identify type of file
PDF file
Microsoft Word file (italicize titles of software programs)
MP3 file
JPEG file

The Scientist is reporting that pharmaceutical giant Merck created a professional-sounding journal in which to plant “research” articles supportive of the company’s products.  The revelation came in the form of court testimony during a class action lawsuit against the company by former patients who claimed that “Vioxx caused their heart attack or stroke.” (See this BNET Pharma post for even more of what was going on behind-the-scenes at Merck.)

The publishing partner for this marketing scheme was an Elsevier company, Excerpta Medica Communications.  The Scientist article includes links to the first two issues of the the faux journal, The Australasian Journal of Bone and Joint Medicine (ISSN 1447-5529).

Chemistry Blog has done a content analysis of the two issues and has tabulated the number of times Merck products are mentioned and whether the products are given a positive or neutral light. No surprise, ChemistryBlog’s results show that Merck products did not receive any negative coverage in these fake journal articles.

Based on the following statement that appeared on publisher’s Excerpta Medica site, I would say the company is living up to expectations:

Goal 1: Create new ways to think – accomplished

Goal 2: Create customized programs – accomplished

Goal 3: Surprise and amaze us with your ability to transform ideas into effective programs – accomplished