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):
- First Name’s Initial and Last Name of Each Author
- Title of the Article
- Title of the Standalone Book
- Title of a Periodical
- Specific Date
- Publisher’s Name
- Page Range (for an article)
- URL
General Guidelines When Finding and Formatting Reference Entry Components
Please see the following tips surrounding compiling and formatting components in a reference entry.
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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.
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Format Instructions for the References Page
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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
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Article with Two Authors
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Article with Three to Twenty Authors
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Article from a Special Issue of a Journal
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Books
Online Book – Basic Format (EBook)
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Book by One Author (hardcopy)
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Book by Two or More Authors
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Book with an Author and a Named Editor
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Book with an Editor(s) and Without a Named Author
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Book that has been Translated
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Book within a Series of Volumes
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Book with an Edition #
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Specific Chapter or Article from an Edited Book
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Works with the Same Author and Same Publication Date
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Ancient Greek or Roman work
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Magazines
Online Magazine Article with One Author – Basic Format
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Online Magazine Article with Two Authors
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Online Magazine Article with Three to Twenty Authors
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Magazine Article with an Unknown Author
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News Publications
Article in a Newspaper
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Article in a Newspaper with No Mentioned Author
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Article from a News Website
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Government and Corporate Documents
Article/webpage on a Government / Government Agency / Organization Website
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Report by Government Agency or Other Organization
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Brochure by a Government Body or Organization
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Reference Materials
Dictionary / Encyclopedia Entry
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Websites
Webpage Article from a Website with an Individual Author
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Webpage Article From a Website With a Group Author
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Webpage Article From A Website With No Date
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Webpage Article from a Website That is Designed to Constantly Update
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Visual Media & Audio-Visual Media
Graphic (Complete) From A Source
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Infographic
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Film / Video
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Image / Photograph
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Podcast Episode in a Series
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TED Talk
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Social Media & Blogs
YouTube Video
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Twitter or Instagram Post
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Facebook Page
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Internet Forum Post
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Blog Post
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Legal References
Treaty
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Provincial Law or Act
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Provincial (State) Supreme Court Decision
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Federal Law or Act
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Federal Supreme Court Decision
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References
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https//doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000