APA References

What is a Reference Entry?

A reference entry works in conjunction with an in-text citation to show the reader exactly where to get the source’s document that you have taken information from. A reference entry is mandatory for any taken information, as this is a way that you are academically giving credit to the author for his/her/their ideas and research. 

If you have an in-text citation but are missing a reference entry, or vice versa, your assignment is deemed plagiarized.  Always check to ensure the first surname or first key word listed in a reference entry has a matching in-text citation using that same surname or key word within the body of the assignment.  The reference entries are formatted in a specific way on the References page: see section “APA Assignment Format” for formatting instructions.

What Information Does a Reference Entry Contain?

The information given in a reference entry will differ, depending on the type of source the taken information has come from.  However, you can pretty much assume that the following information will be required in any reference entry (plus or minus some details depending on the source type):

  1. First Name’s Initial and Last Name of Each Author
  2. Title of the Article
  3. Title of the Standalone Book
  4. Title of a Periodical
  5. Specific Date
  6. Publisher’s Name
  7. Page Range (for an article)
  8. URL

General Guidelines When Finding and Formatting Reference Entry Components

Please see the following tips surrounding compiling and formatting components in a reference entry.  

Table 4 – Quick Reference Guidelines

How to Format the References Page

An APA references page has mandatory formatting, which requires attention to detail.  Follow the short instructions in Figure 24 or the long instructions in Figure 25 to properly format your References page. If your References page does not have identical formatting to the example in Figure 23, you have made a mistake.

View this video on how to format your references page.

Figure 23APA References Page Example

Format Instructions for the References Page

Figure 24APA References Page: Short Instructions
Figure 25 – How to Format an APA References Page in Microsoft Word: Long Instructions
PLAGIARISM TRIPLE CHECK!
If you have not found an in-text citation for each reference entry, you have made a critical mistake and must do one of the following:
A)     input the missing in-text citation
B)     double-check to ensure you have a properly formatted in-text citation for each reference entry
Once you have confirmed you have at least one in-text citation for each reference entry, your references page is complete. The format should look identical to the References page in Figure 9.

Reference Examples & Guidelines

Use this section to mimic the format of the reference entry by the type of source that you have taken information from.  If you do not see your type of source on the list, consult the APA Manual: American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https//doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

Journals

Article with One Author – Basic Format

Article with Two Authors

Article with Two Authors

Article with Three to Twenty Authors

Article from a Special Issue of a Journal

Books

Online Book – Basic Format (EBook)

Book by One Author (hardcopy)

Book by Two or More Authors

Book with an Author and a Named Editor

Book with an Editor(s) and Without a Named Author

Book with an Editor(s) and Without a Named Author

Book that has been Translated

Book within a Series of Volumes

Book within a Series of Volumes

Book with an Edition #

Specific Chapter or Article from an Edited Book

Works with the Same Author and Same Publication Date

Ancient Greek or Roman work

Magazines

Online Magazine Article with One Author – Basic Format

Online Magazine Article with Two Authors

Online Magazine Article with Two Authors

Online Magazine Article with Three to Twenty Authors

Online Magazine Article with Three to Twenty Authors

Magazine Article with an Unknown Author

News Publications

Article in a Newspaper

Article in a Newspaper with No Mentioned Author

Article from a News Website

Government and Corporate Documents

Article/webpage on a Government / Government Agency / Organization Website

Report by Government Agency or Other Organization

Brochure by a Government Body or Organization

Reference Materials

Dictionary / Encyclopedia Entry

Websites

Webpage Article from a Website with an Individual Author

Webpage Article from a Website with an Individual Author

Webpage Article From a Website With a Group Author

Webpage Article From A Website With No Date

Webpage Article from a Website That is Designed to Constantly Update

Visual Media & Audio-Visual Media

Graphic (Complete) From A Source

Infographic

Film / Video

Image / Photograph

Podcast Episode in a Series

TED Talk

Social Media & Blogs

YouTube Video

Twitter or Instagram Post

Facebook Page

Internet Forum Post

Blog Post

Treaty

Provincial Law or Act

Provincial (State) Supreme Court Decision

Federal Law or Act

Federal Supreme Court Decision

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https//doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000