APA Format – References Guidelines

The references list is organized record of all the sources you consulted and incorporated into your document. Including a reference list is critical for two primary reasons:

• Transparency and Intellectual Honesty: The reference list ensures transparency in your research process and gives credit to the sources you referenced. It acknowledges the intellectual contributions of others whose work you’ve used and provides readers with the necessary information to locate those sources.
• Credibility: A comprehensive reference list demonstrates the depth and breadth of your research, showcasing the sources that informed your arguments and conclusions. It strengthens the credibility of your work by allowing readers to trace your references and potentially explore them further.

Example

Click to enlarge:

Formatting the References Page

Follow the guidelines for the references page to ensure consistency, clarity, and ease of access for readers interested in further exploring the foundation of your research.

Placement and Heading

• The reference list begins on a new page following the body of your paper, including the text, tables, and figures.
• Center and bold the word “References” at the top of the page.

General Formatting

• Double-space all entries throughout the reference list.
• Use the same font and size as the rest of your paper (usually 12 pt Times New Roman).
• Left-align all text (except for the first line of each entry, which has a hanging indent).

Hanging Indent

• Indent the second line of each entry to create a visual distinction between each reference entry. Here’s how to do it:
  • The first line of each reference starts flush with the left margin.
  • All subsequent lines of that same reference entry are indented half an inch from the left margin.

Alphabetical Order

• Arrange all references in alphabetical order by the last name of the first author. If the first author is an organization, alphabetize by the first word of the organization’s name (excluding articles like “A” or “The”).
• For references with the same first author, order them chronologically, with the earliest publication year listed first.
• If you have multiple references by the same author(s) published in the same year, order them alphabetically by the title (excluding articles like “A” or “The”).

Formatting Specific Reference Types

APA style has specific formatting guidelines for different types of sources. Go back to the APA Style page to see how to cite different types of sources. Here are some common examples:

• Journal Articles: Author(s) last name, first initial. & middle initial. (Publication year). Title of article. Journal Title, Volume number(Issue number), page range. DOI (if available).
  • Example: Baker, R. A., & McKenzie, D. P. (2005). Social psychology of stereotyping. Annual Review of Psychology, 56(1), 445-474. doi: 10.1146/annurev.psych.56.091103.070024
    
• Books: Author(s) last name, first initial. & middle initial. (Publication year). Title of book. Publisher.
  • Example: Smith, J. (2020). Doing research in psychology. SAGE Publications.
    
• Websites: Author(s) last name, first initial. & middle initial. (Publication year, if available). Title of webpage [Website name]. Retrieved from URL
  • Example: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, February 11). Smoking and tobacco use. Retrieved from [invalid URL removed]

Additional Tips

• Double-check the accuracy of your references: Ensure all information in your reference list matches the corresponding citations within your paper. Typos or inconsistencies can affect the credibility of your work.
• Use online citation generators: Several online citation generators can help you format your references in APA style. However, always double-check the generated references for accuracy before including them in your paper.
• Refer to the official APA style guide: For more detailed information and specific examples of formatting different reference types, consult the official APA style guide (American Psychological Association, 2020. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition).

---

*Content on this page was curated and edited by expert humans with the creative assistance of AI.