APA 7th Edition: Mastering References

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Formatting the Title Element
3. Formatting the Source Element
4. Guidelines for Periodicals
5. Guidelines for Works within an Edited Collection
6. Guidelines for Social Media Sources
7. Guidelines for Websites
8. Guidelines for DOIs and URLs
9. Uncommon Cases
10. Organizing Reference Lists

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss the guidelines for creating a reference list according to the APA's 7th edition publication manual. We will cover the formatting of the title element and the source element, as well as provide specific guidelines for periodicals, works within an edited collection, social media sources, websites, and DOIs and URLs. Additionally, we will address some uncommon cases and provide tips for organizing reference lists.

1. Formatting the Title Element

When formatting the title element of a reference list entry, it is important to follow certain guidelines. For works that are part of a greater whole, such as chapters in an edited collection or a journal article, the title should not be italicized or enclosed in quotation marks. Instead, capitalize the first word of the primary title, any subtitles, and any proper nouns. On the other hand, for works that stand on their own, such as books and web pages, the title should be italicized. Remember to use sentence case capitalization and end the title element with a period.

2. Formatting the Source Element

The source element in a reference list entry refers to the location where a reader can locate the text. This can be the location of a work that is part of a greater whole, such as a chapter in an edited collection or a journal article, or a work that stands as a whole on its own, such as a book or a TV show. The formatting of the source element can vary depending on the type of source.

3. Guidelines for Periodicals

When citing periodicals as a source, include the periodical title, volume number, and page range. Capitalize and italicize the periodical title and volume number, and enclose the issue number in parentheses. In cases where online periodicals do not have volume numbers or page numbers, simply include the capitalized and italicized title of the periodical.

4. Guidelines for Works within an Edited Collection

When citing works within an edited collection, include the initials of the authors of the specific work, followed by the abbreviation "in," and then provide the page range. If the edited collection has more than one editor, follow the same rules and write "Eds." after the name of the final credited editor. Remember to capitalize the "container" works like edited collections in title case.

5. Guidelines for Social Media Sources

Social media sources should be included in the reference list only if the content being cited was originally published on that platform. If the social media page directed you to another site where you retrieved the information, cite that source directly. For citing social media sources, provide the capitalized name of the site in the source element, followed by a period and the URL.

6. Guidelines for Websites

When citing websites as a source, provide the website name in titles without italics, followed by a period and the URL. In cases where the author of the work is the same as the website name, omit the site name to avoid repetition. This often occurs when the source's author is an organization.

7. Guidelines for DOIs and URLs

When including a source with a DOI or URL, the guidelines vary based on the availability of the DOI or URL. Include a DOI for all works that have one, even if you are using the print version. If a print work does not have a DOI, do not include a DOI or URL in the reference entry. If an online work has both a DOI and URL, include only the DOI. If it has a URL but no DOI, include the URL in the reference. Both DOIs and URLs should be presented as hyperlinks for easy access.

8. Uncommon Cases

There are some uncommon cases that don't necessarily follow the standard guidelines. For translated works, cite the text in the language in which the translation was published and give credit to the translators. For republished or re-issued texts, use the date of republication for the date element and indicate the original publication year. For classical or ancient sources with unknown publication dates, use the abbreviation "ca." to indicate the approximate creation date.

9. Organizing Reference Lists

When organizing reference lists, remember that nothing precedes something for the purpose of alphabetization. Ignore spaces and punctuation marks in two last surnames. References by the same author should be ordered in chronological order, starting with the first published. References with no date should precede references with dates. References with the same publication year can be distinguished using letters (e.g., 2020a, 2020b). References that are still in press should be listed last.

Conclusion

By following the guidelines provided in this article, you can create a well-formatted, professional, and consistent reference list. Remember to consider the specific formatting requirements for different types of sources and to organize your reference list in a clear and logical manner. Happy referencing!

Highlights

• Learn how to format the title element and source element in a reference list according to APA's 7th edition.
• Understand the guidelines for citing periodicals, works within an edited collection, social media sources, websites, and DOIs/URLs.
• Discover tips for citing uncommon cases, such as translated works and texts with unknown publication dates.
• Learn how to organize your reference list alphabetically and handle multiple works by the same author with different publication dates. 
• Create an orderly, professional, and consistent reference list that is useful for readers.

FAQ

Q: When should I italicize the title in a reference list entry? A: The title should be italicized for works that stand on their own, such as books and web pages. Works that are part of a greater whole, like chapters in an edited collection or journal articles, should not be italicized.

Q: How should I format periodical titles in a reference list entry? A: Periodical titles should be capitalized and italicized. Additionally, the volume number and issue number (in parentheses) should be included, along with the page range.

Q: What should I do if a source has both a DOI and a URL? A: If a source has both a DOI and a URL, include only the DOI in the reference. If it has a URL but no DOI, include the URL.

Q: How should I organize my reference list? A: Reference lists should be organized alphabetically. Nothing precedes something for the purpose of alphabetization. References by the same author should be ordered chronologically, starting with the earliest publication.

Q: How should I cite social media sources in a reference list? A: Social media sources should be included in the reference list only if the content being cited was originally published on that platform. Include the name of the site, capitalized without italics, followed by a period and the URL.