How to cite qgis

Overview

Properly citing QGIS is essential for academic integrity, reproducibility, and acknowledging the significant effort behind this powerful free and open-source Geographic Information System (GIS) software. When you use QGIS for data analysis, map creation, or any other geospatial task in your research, project, or publication, it's important to let your readers know what tools you employed. This allows others to understand your methodology and, if necessary, replicate your work using the same software environment.

Why Cite QGIS?

Citing software, including QGIS, serves several important purposes:

• Reproducibility: Providing the specific version of QGIS used ensures that others can recreate your results, as software updates can sometimes introduce changes in functionality or output.
• Acknowledgement: QGIS is developed and maintained by a dedicated community of developers and contributors. Citing it acknowledges their hard work and the value of the software.
• Transparency: It clearly communicates your methodological approach to your audience.
• Academic Standards: Many academic disciplines and publication venues require the citation of all tools and resources used in a study.

How to Cite QGIS

The exact citation format will depend on the citation style you are using (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard). However, the core components that should generally be included are:

Essential Information for Citation:

• Software Name: QGIS
• Version Number: This is critical. For example, QGIS 3.28.3-1
• Developer/Maintainer: QGIS Development Team
• Year of Release: The year the specific version was released.
• Provider/Source: The QGIS project website (e.g., qgis.org) or a specific repository if applicable.

Example Citations (Adapt to your Style Guide):

APA Style (7th Edition) - Often used in scientific and social science fields:

In the text, you might write: "Spatial analysis was performed using QGIS version 3.28.3-1 (QGIS Development Team, 2022)."

In your reference list:

QGIS Development Team. (2022). QGIS Geographic Information System. Open Source Geospatial Foundation Project. Version 3.28.3-1 [Software]. Retrieved from https://qgis.org/

Note: The year in the APA citation might refer to the year of the specific release you used. If a specific release date is hard to find, the general release year of the major version might be used, or you might cite it as a general software resource.

MLA Style - Often used in humanities:

In your Works Cited page:

QGIS Development Team. QGIS Geographic Information System. Open Source Geospatial Foundation Project, 2022, qgis.org. Accessed [Date you accessed the website].

Note: MLA often emphasizes the publisher and access date for online resources. You would replace "2022" with the relevant release year for your version.

Chicago Style (Notes and Bibliography) - Often used in history and some sciences:

Footnote/Endnote:

1. QGIS Development Team, QGIS Geographic Information System, version 3.28.3-1 (Open Source Geospatial Foundation Project, 2022), https://qgis.org/.

Bibliography:

QGIS Development Team. QGIS Geographic Information System. Version 3.28.3-1. Open Source Geospatial Foundation Project, 2022. https://qgis.org/.

Citing in the Text vs. Bibliography

Depending on the context and your citation style, you might:

• Mention in the methods section: Briefly state that QGIS was used and specify the version. This is common in research papers.
• Include in a bibliography/reference list: Provide a full citation as shown above if QGIS is a significant tool or resource for your work.
• Cite as a direct source: If you are specifically analyzing the software itself or its development, you might cite it more formally as a published work.

Finding Version and Release Information

To find the version information for your QGIS installation:

1. Open QGIS.
2. Go to the main menu: Help > About QGIS.
3. A dialog box will appear showing the exact version number, build details, and often the release date or year.

For older versions or specific release dates, you can often find this information on the official QGIS website's download archive or release notes pages.

Best Practices

• Be Specific: Always include the full version number.
• Check Your Style Guide: Consult the specific requirements of your institution, publisher, or journal.
• Consistency: Apply the chosen citation style consistently throughout your document.
• Consider the Context: If QGIS was merely used for a quick map visualization, a brief mention in the text might suffice. If it was instrumental in complex analysis, a more formal bibliographic entry is appropriate.

By following these guidelines, you ensure proper attribution and contribute to the transparent and reproducible use of open-source geospatial tools like QGIS.