American Psychological Association
(APA)
Heather Bailey
Writing Studio Coordinator
Keiser University, Jacksonville Campus
hbailey@keiseruniversity.edu
Why Does It Matter?
 Helps to prevent plagiarism
 Makes it easy for others to find your source if they are also
interested in the information!
 Allows you and your readers to locate the most recent
research findings in your field
Title Page
In-Text Citation: Snapshot
 The General Rule:
 If you are paraphrasing: Include the author’s last name and
date
 If you are directly quoting: Include the author’s last name,
date, AND page number
In-Text Citation: Paraphrasing
 Examples:
 According to Smith (2001), the sample population size can be
too limited.
 The sample population can be too limited (Smith, 2001).
In-Text Citations: Direct Quote
 Examples:
 Jones (2004) states that it is necessary for a researcher to
“adequately account for factors that affect sample size” (p. 200).
 She states that it is necessary for a researcher to “adequately
account for factors that affect sample size” (Jones, 2004, p.
200).
In-Text Citation: Multiple Authors
 Two Authors:
 Johnson and Martin (2001), argue that Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder went largely undiagnosed until the late twentieth
century.
 Three to Five Authors
 It is important that a nurse maintains a “positive, as well as a
professional, relationship with the patient” (Sutton, Parker, &
Wilmont, 2009, p. 90).
 Six or More Authors:
 According to Jones et al. (2011), more research needs to be
done regarding the effects of caffeine on women.
In-Text Citation:
Indirect Sources
 Example:
 Harper (2000) influentially argues that one must understand
how the brain “responds to electric impulses.” (as cited in Smith,
2004, p. 19).
Reference List: Snapshot
 The General Rules:
 Alphabetize entries according to author’s last name or first
letter of entry if not the author’s last name
 Invert the author’s name: last name, followed by middle initial
followed by first initials.
 Indent all lines ½ inch after the first line for every entry
Reference List: Page Format
Reference List: Periodicals
 The Basic Format:
 Author last name, author first initials. (Year). Title of article.
Title of Periodical, volume number (issue number), pages.
 Example:
 Holpert, T.U. (2006). Art therapy. Psychology Today, 66 (14), 100-122.
Reference List: Online Periodical
 Basic Format:
 Author last name, author first initials. (Date of
publication). Title of article. Title of Online Periodical, volume
number (issue number if available). Retrieved from
http://www.source.com/full/url/
 Example:
 Carlston, H.P. (1999). Child development: The first five
years. Journal of American Psychology, 33. Retrieved
from http://jstor.org.
Reference List: The DOI
 Basic Format
 Author last name, author initials. (Date of publication). Title of
article. Title of Journal, volume number, pages.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.0000/0000
 Example:
 Holden, S.A. (2000). Animal therapy. Psychology Today, 45, 300-322.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/90.3245/0000
Reference List: Other Electronic
Sources
 Basic Format:
 Author last name, author first initials. (date of
publication). Document title. Retrieved from
http://onlinesoure.com.
 Example:
 Bailey, P.R. (2001). Post traumatic stress disorder in
vietnam war veterans. Retrieved from http://PTSD.org.
Reference List: Books
 The Basic Format:
 Author last name, author first initials. (year of
publication). Title of work. Location: Publisher.
 Location = City, State. (Use the official postal abbreviation)
 Example:
 Smith, S.T. The complete guide to adult neurological disorders. New York, NY:
Penguin Books.
Reference List: Edited Books
 Edited Book, No Author:
 Smyth, R.S. (Ed.). (2004). The complete guide to child psychology.
Boston, MA: Harper Collins, Inc.
 Edited Book With Author(s):
 Sutton, P.O. (1997). Adult cognition. R.A Stevens, (Ed.). New
York, NY: Harper Collins, Inc.
Reference list: Multiple Authors
 Two Authors:
 Jones, R. E & Wellingham, S. T. (1990). Cognitive behavioral
therapy. Journal of Psychology, 40, 99-105.
 Three to Seven Authors:
 Alley, S. H., Winston, T.U., & Johnson, R.A. (1996). The manual
of child psychology. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
 More Than Seven Authors:
 Smith, K.L., Stanford, M.S., Miffin, A.T., Carlisle, S.P.,
Scarvey, L.O., Swinton, F.T., . . . Parker, P.S. (2005).
Social attitudes concerning foster parents. Sociology
Today, 20, 200-245.
Further Information
 Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th
edition
 Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (OWL)
 http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl