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HED 207: Youth Health Issues, Pettit

Tips on APA Style

This guide is based on the 7th edition (2020) of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.

Citation for a Journal Article with a Digital Object Identifier link (DOI)

Template:

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number(issue number), page range. https://doi.org/10.0000/0000

Example:

McCauley, S. M., & Christiansen, M. H. (2019). Language learning as language use: A cross-linguistic model of child language development. Psychological Review, 126(1), 1-51. https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000126

Citation for a Journal Article without a DOI (from a database or in print):

Template:

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number(issue number), page range.

Example:

Anderson, M. (2018). Getting consistent with consequences. Educational Leadership, 76(1), 26-33.

Check out the following resources if you are interested in learning more:

Formatting - APA requires the use of hanging indents and double spacing (this webpage does not allow for hanging indents, so the examples are flawed in that regard); however, check with your instructor, as some instructors request single spacing!

Author - Use only the initials of author's first (and middle) name, but write out the author's entire last name. Double-check your spelling! If there are multiple authors, separate their names with commas and use an ampersand (&) before the last name. In the seventh edition, up to 20 authors should now be included in a reference list entry. For sources with more than 20 authors, after the 19th listed author, additional authors' names are replaced with an ellipsis (…) followed by the final listed author's name (in this case, do not place an ampersand before the final author's name). Use (Ed.) or (Eds.) if  "author(s)" are editor(s).

Publication date - Enter the year only after author names, and wrap the year in parentheses ( ).

Article title - These are written in sentence case, meaning you only capitalize the first word (and any proper nouns).

Journal title - These are written in title case, meaning you capitalize the title of a journal/periodical as you would a formal title.

Journal title, volume, issue - Use italics (not underlines) for both the journal title and the volume number, but the italics do not extend to the issue number. Wrap the issue number in parentheses ( ).

Digital object identifier (DOI) - These URLs are now presented as hyperlinks for electronic sources. The label “DOI:” is no longer used for entries that include a DOI. If your article does not have a DOI but you are able to get a permalink for the item, ask your professor if they would like that URL included and hyperlinked in the citation. APA guidance on when to use URLs.

Retrieval date - The words “Retrieved from” (coming before the URL or DOI) are now only used when a retrieval date is also provided in the citation. Do not include a retrieval date unless the source may change over time (eg., a wiki).

Database or platform - It is not necessary to include the name of the database unless the information is difficult to locate. If you have questions about this, ask your professor! APA guidance on database naming.

In-text citations - In-text, or parenthetical, citations indicate you are quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing someone else's work or ideas. In-text citations should correspond to a source in your reference list - this helps your reader identify the original source used. Placement depends on how you incorporate a source into your writing - there is more than one correct way to cite in-text. APA uses the author/date method of in-text citation. Therefore, include in parentheses ( ) the author's last name and the year of publication after all direct quotes and paraphrased segments of your paper. Page numbers are included for direct quotes and some paraphrased content. Example: (Pollan, 2005, p. 146). APA guidance on in-text.

Citation Practice