APA referencing - Library extended guide
Updated: 17 November, 2014
Important: This document is meant for use as a guide only. To avoid losing marks, confirm the
referencing requirements of your School with your Lecturer, and consult the following reference on which
this document is based for clarification and additional examples.
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
APA referencing - Library extended guide ................................................................................................1
Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................2
Choosing a reference style ...................................................................................................................2
Where can I find information about referencing? ...................................................................................2
Plagiarism .............................................................................................................................................2
In-text references ..................................................................................................................................2
Paraphrasing .....................................................................................................................................2
Direct quotes .....................................................................................................................................3
Groups as authors .............................................................................................................................3
Electronic sources .............................................................................................................................3
Pagination:.....................................................................................................................................3
Reference lists ......................................................................................................................................3
A few points to note about the reference list: .....................................................................................4
Abbreviations: examples .......................................................................................................................4
Examples ..............................................................................................................................................5
Books ................................................................................................................................................5
Book - one author ..........................................................................................................................5
Book - two authors .........................................................................................................................5
Book – three, four or five authors ...................................................................................................6
Book – six or more authors ............................................................................................................6
Book – eight or more authors .........................................................................................................6
Edited book ....................................................................................................................................7
Book chapter - Edited book ............................................................................................................7
E-books .........................................................................................................................................7
Secondary citations........................................................................................................................8
Journal articles: examples .................................................................................................................8
Journal article with DOI ..................................................................................................................8
Journal article (print) without DOI ...................................................................................................8
Journal article (online) without DOI ................................................................................................9
Newspaper articles: examples ...........................................................................................................9
Newspaper article – Print, with author ............................................................................................9
Newspaper article – Print, no author ..............................................................................................9
Newspaper article - Online .............................................................................................................9
Internet sources: examples .............................................................................................................10
Website documents .....................................................................................................................10
Image on the Web .......................................................................................................................10
Other sources: examples.................................................................................................................10
Personal communication ..............................................................................................................10
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Introduction
The APA style of referencing has been developed by the American Psychological Association. Initially
developed for the social sciences, it is widely used in other disciplines and is an author-date referencing
system.
Detailed instructions for citing in-text and for compiling a reference list are given in the Publication
Manual. The American Psychological Association website [http://www.apastyle.org/] is a very useful
source of additional information and help.
Choosing a reference style
The style (i.e. the order in which the details of a reference are cited) may vary depending on the
requirements of your department, lecturer or supervisor. Some Schools produce their own guidelines for
citing references. Check with your School whether they have a preferred Referencing Style.
Where can I find information about referencing?
Information about referencing can be found on:
 Library’s Referencing guides [http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing]
 Study Smart: Referencing
[https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/content/B_DSC/studysmart/referencing.html]
 Learning Lab’s Writing skills [http://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/content/referencing]
Plagiarism
Information about plagiarism can be found on the Information for Students page
[http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity/students].
In-text references
In the text of your essay or thesis you should identify your source by giving, in parentheses, the author's
name and year of publication of the work to which reference has been made. From the in-text reference,
the reader can turn to the alphabetical list of references for full publication details.
There are two ways of referencing in-text – paraphrasing and using direct quotes.
Paraphrasing
When paraphrasing, the ideas of the author(s) are expressed in your own words. Paraphrasing is used
to indicate to the reader:
 your understanding of the content in the reference you are using
 your ability to relevantly and appropriately use ideas and information to support an argument or
an opinion.
Include the author’s name and date of publication by either:


adding the citation at the end of the sentence, or
using the author’s name as part of your sentence.
Examples:
Studies indicate that . . . (Sullivan, 2013).
As suggested by Sullivan (2013), . . .
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Direct quotes
When quoting, the exact words of the author(s) are used. Direct quotes should be kept to a minimum.
When using direct quotes, include the author’s name, date of publication and page number. If directly
quoting from a work, use double quotation marks around the text being quoted.
Include the author’s name and date of publication by either:

adding the citation at the end of the sentence

using the author’s name as part of your sentence
Examples:
According to Fawcett, Weber and Wilson (2012), the condition known as ADHD has “attracted more
controversy than other conditions diagnosed in childhood” (p. 69).
While early intervention is emphasised, “far less attention is being paid to the nature of the
intervention” (Fawcett, Weber & Wilson, 2012, p. 83).
Groups as authors
The names of groups as authors (e.g., corporations, associations, government agencies, and study
groups) are usually cited in full each time they appear in an in-text citation. Some are represented in full
in the first citation and subsequently abbreviated.
In deciding whether to abbreviate, use the general rule that there must be enough information in the
citation to locate the entry in the reference list without difficulty. If the name is short, or if the abbreviation
would not be understandable, write it out in full every time.
Example: First in-text citation
(Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2013)
Example: Subsequent in-text citations
(AIHW, 2013)
Electronic sources
When citing in-text, use the same elements and order as you would for a reference in print (e.g. author
and date). In the reference list, include sufficient electronic retrieval information to enable others to
locate the references you cited. A retrieval date is not required unless the source material may change
over time (e.g., Wikis).
Pagination:


If the electronic version is in PDF format, provide the page numbers for the article cited.
If citing from an electronic source that does not provide pagination, e.g. a website or an article in
HTML format:
o Use paragraph numbers, if given, and use the abbreviation para. (e.g. para. 5).
o If no paragraph or page numbers are visible, then cite the heading and give the number of
the paragraph according to its place in that section (e.g. Discussion section, para. 2).
Reference lists
A reference list contains details of only those works cited in the text. In the APA style, you may
include in a separate bibliography a list of sources that were consulted but not cited in the text. The
same method of presentation is used for both a reference list and a bibliography.
If required to provide a bibliography (as well as a reference list), consult your lecturer for format specifics.
The format of each reference depends on the nature of the work, e.g. whether it is a book, journal article,
website, etc. In general, the basic elements contained within each reference should include the following
key elements:
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


the author name(s) and date of publication (which is shown in parentheses)
the title of the work (NB: Italics are used for titles of books, periodicals and volume numbers,
films, videos, television shows, and microfilm publications)
publication details.
Author
Date
Title of work
Publication details
Sullivan, E. J. (2013). Becoming influential: A guide for nurses (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Apart from the author and date, each element is separated from the others with a full stop.

The reference finishes with a full stop unless it ends with a DOI or a URL.
A few points to note about the reference list:








The reference list is placed at the end of the work and begins on a new page, titled ‘References’.
The reference list must be double-spaced.
The second and subsequent lines of each reference should be indented (i.e. the hanging indent
paragraph style).
List the authors alphabetically, surname followed by initial(s), and thereafter chronologically,
starting with the earliest date.
Personal communication is cited in-text only, NOT in the reference list.
Where an item has no author or organisation identified, it is cited by its title.
Single author entries precede references with multiple authors beginning with the same name.
Where several works have the same author and year of publication, add a lower-case letter of the
alphabet to the publication date. The order of the listing of the alphabet letters a, b, c … is based
on the letter-by-letter alphabetical order of the title of the work.
Examples:
Young, J. (2013a).
Young, J. (2013b).

If the author and publisher are the same, use the word Author to indicate the publisher.
Example:
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.


If a digital object identifier (DOI) has been assigned to the content, it should be provided in the
reference list citation. A DOI can be formatted in your reference list in either two ways:
doi:xx.xxxxxxxxx OR http://dx.doi.org/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Unlike URLs, which can be broken, a DOI is a unique and persistent link to the location of the
content on the Internet. Additional retrieval information is therefore not required.
Note: DOIs and URLs are placed at the end of the reference. Do not add a full stop to complete the
reference.
Abbreviations: examples
Acceptable abbreviations in the reference list for parts of books and other publications include:
ed.
Edition
Rev. ed.
Revised edition
2nd ed.
second edition
Ed. (Eds.)
Editor (Editors)
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Trans.
Translator(s)
n.d.
no date
p. (pp.)
page (pages)
Vol.
Volume (as in Vol. 3)
Vols.
Volumes (as in Vols. 1-3)
No.
Number
Pt.
Part
Tech. Rep.
Technical Report
Suppl.
Supplement
Examples
Important - In-text citations:
Note: The word ‘and’ is used to separate the last two authors’ names in the body of the text and an
ampersand (&) is used to separate them when parentheses are used. Also note when to use ‘et al.’.
E.g. Fawcett, Weber and Wilson (2012) ; (Fawcett, Weber & Wilson, 2012) ; Fawcett et al. (2012)
Books
Reference list – the key elements and order:
Author(s) (Year). Title of book (edition). Place of publication: Publisher.
Book - one
author
In-text:
It is suggested that nurses . . . (Sullivan, 2013).
Sullivan (2013) argues that . . .
Reference list:
Sullivan, E. J. (2013). Becoming influential: A guide for nurses (2nd ed.). Boston,
MA: Pearson.
Book - two
authors
In-text:
Both authors are to be cited every time the reference occurs in the text.
Goodman and Ley (2012) state that mental illness has “a social dimension to it” (p.
163).
Mental health issues can also be seen from a political perspective (Goodman &
Ley, 2012).
Reference list:
Goodman, B., & Ley, T. (2012). Psychology and sociology in nursing. London,
England: Learning Matters.
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Book – three,
four or five
authors
In-text:
Cite all authors the first time the reference occurs:
This was found to be . . . as reported by Fawcett, Weber and Wilson (2012).
Discussion centred on . . . (Fawcett, Weber & Wilson, 2012).
For subsequent citations, use the first surname listed followed by et al. (Note
the full-stop after et al.):
Fawcett et al. (2012) conclude that . . .
. . . (Fawcett et al., 2012).
If cited again within that paragraph, omit the year:
In claiming this, Fawcett et al. argue that . . .
Reference list:
Fawcett, B., Weber, Z., & Wilson, S. (2012). International perspectives on mental
health: Critical issues across the lifespan. Basingstoke, England: Palgrave
Macmillan.
Book – six or
more authors
In-text:
Cite the surname of only the first author followed by et al. for the first and
subsequent citations:
According to Dobozy et al. (2012), . . .
. . . (Dobozy et al., 2012).
Reference list:
Dobozy, E., Bartlett, B., O’Donnell, A. M., Bryer, F., Reeve, J., & Smith, J. K.
(2012). Educational psychology. Milton, Qld: John Wiley & Sons.
Book – eight or
more authors
In-text:
As for a work with six or more authors, only include the first author, followed by et
al.
Lodish et al. (2012)
(Lodish et al., 2012)
Reference list:
First six authors, . . . last author (Year). Title of book (edition). Place of
publication: Publisher.
Lodish, H., Kaiser, C. A., Bretscher, A., Amon, A., Berk, A., Krieger, M., . . . Scott,
M. P. (2012). Molecular cell biology (7th ed.). New York, NY: W.H.
Freeman.
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Edited book
In-text:
Lubkin and Larsen (2013) suggest that . . .
. . . (Lubkin & Larsen, 2013).
Reference list:
Editor(s) (Ed./Eds.). (Year). Title of book. Place of publication: Publisher.
Lubkin, I. M., & Larsen, P. D. (Eds.). (2013). Chronic illness: Impact and
interventions (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Book chapter Edited book
In-text:
Schirm (2013) noted that . . .
. . . (Schirm, 2013).
Reference list:
Author(s) of chapter (Year). Title of chapter. [In] Editor(s), if other than the
author (Ed./Eds.), Title of book (Edition, Page number(s)). Place of
publication: Publisher.
Schirm, V. (2013). Quality of life. In I. M. Lubkin & P. D. Larsen (Eds.), Chronic
illness: Impact and interventions (8th ed., pp. 183-206). Burlington, MA:
Jones & Bartlett Learning.
E-books
In-text:
If paraphrasing, cite as you would for a print book (i.e. author and date). If directly
quoting, also include the page number(s) if they are provided.
Reference list:
Use the same elements and order as you would for a reference in print and include
sufficient electronic retrieval information to enable others to locate the references
that you cited, e.g. online library, URL, or DOI.



If the book is retrieved from an online library, include the name of the online
library.
If a book is given a DOI, then include it.
A retrieval date is not required.
Author(s) (date). Title of book. Retrieved from http://URL
OR
Author(s) (date). Title of book. doi:xxxxxxxxxxxx
Crayton, M. (2012). All the mathematics you missed. Retrieved from
http://www.eblib.com
Levine, T. B., & Levine, A. B. (2012). Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular
disease (2nd ed.). doi:10.1002/9781118480045
Note – For e-reader versions: If the book was read or acquired via an e-reader
and not an online library, then include the e-reader version. The version of e-reader
is placed in square brackets immediately after the title. Include the DOI, if available.
Author(s) (date). Title of book [e-reader version]. doi:xxxxxxxxxxxx
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While primary sources are essential, sometimes the source you wish to refer to
may be unavailable and you must refer to someone else's citation of that source.
This is a secondary source and, in this case, you must include both names in the
in-text reference.
Secondary
citations
Note: The reference list example would include only the source you have seen.
In-text:
Fernando’s analysis of power imbalances (as cited in Fawcett, Weber, & Wilson,
2012) . . .
Reference list:
Fawcett, B., Weber, Z., & Wilson, S. (2012). International perspectives on mental
health: Critical issues across the lifespan. Basingstoke, England: Palgrave
Macmillan.
Journal articles: examples
Author
Date
Title of article
Journal title
Vol.(Issue) Pages. DOI (if given)
Davies, N. J. (2012). Alcohol misuse in adolescents. Nursing Standards, 26(42), 43-48. doi: xxxxxxxxxx
Note: Use italics for the journal title and volume number.
A digital object identifier (DOI) is a unique number assigned by a publisher that identifies a published
work and provides a persistent link to it on the Internet. If a DOI is available, it should be included in the
reference. Place the DOI at the end of a reference but do not add a full stop after it.

More information about DOIs can be found in the Publication Manual (6th ed., section 6.31-6.32,
pp. 187-192).
Journal article
with DOI
In-text:
As noted by Tan, Emmerton and Hattingh (2012), . . .
. . . (Tan, Emmerton & Hattingh, 2012).
Reference list:
Author(s) (Year). Title of article. Journal name, volume number(issue
number), page number(s). doi:xxxxxxxxxx
Tan, A. C. W., Emmerton, L. M., & Hattingh, H. L. (2012). Issues with medication
supply and management in a rural community in Queensland. Australian
Journal of Rural Health, 20(3), 138-143. doi:10.1111/j.14401584.2012.01269.x
Journal article
(print) without
DOI
In-text:
. . . according to research by Reyes and Lieberman (2012).
. . . (Reyes & Lieberman, 2012).
Reference list:
Author(s) (Year). Title of article. Journal name, volume number(issue
number), page number(s).
Reyes, V., & Lieberman, A. (2012). Child-parent psychotherapy and traumatic
exposure to violence. Zero to Three, 32(6), 20-25.
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Journal article
(online) without
DOI
In-text:
Volunteers . . . (Nicol, 2012).
Nicol (2012) . . .
Reference list:
Author(s) (Year). Title of article. Journal name, volume number(issue
number), page number(s). Retrieved from URL of the journal’s home
page
Nicol, S. (2012). Volunteering and young people. Youth Studies Australia, 31(3), 34. Retrieved from http://www.acys.info/ysa
Newspaper articles: examples
Newspaper
article – Print,
with author
In text:
According to Oldfield (2012) . . .
. . . financial issues (Oldfield, 2012).
Reference list:
Author(s) of article (Year, Month day). Title of article. Title of newspaper,
page number(s).
Oldfield, S. (2012, March 28). Health insurance industry looking a bit peaky. The
Age, p.14.
Newspaper
article – Print, no
author
Works with no author should be alphabetised by the first significant word in the title
in a reference list. Use a short abbreviated title when citing in text.
In-text:
There are renewed calls for the speed limit to be lowered to 40km/h in urban areas
(“Pedestrian carnage”, 2012).
Reference list:
Title of article. (Year, Month day). Title of newspaper, page number(s).
Pedestrian carnage. (2012, May 10). Northern Territory News/Sunday Territorian,
p.16.
Newspaper
article - Online
In-text:
. . . (Whyte, 2012).
Whyte (2012) . . .
Reference list:
Author(s) of article (Year, Month day). Title of article. Title of newspaper.
Retrieved from URL of newspaper’s home page
Whyte, S. (2012, October 29). Screen-addicted children may have newest mental
illness. The Age. Retrieved from http://www.theage.com.au
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Internet sources: examples
Website
documents
Many electronic sources do not provide page numbers, unless they are in PDF
format. If quoting or paraphrasing from a website and it is NOT a PDF, then use as
part of the in-text reference the name of the section and the paragraph number,
(e.g. Rodgers, 2012, Start with a project strategy section, para. 1)
If there are no sections on the page, count the paragraphs from the beginning.
In-text:
It is stated that “before starting an intranet redesign, create a strategy that includes
the project’s purpose, goals and what’s in and out of scope” (Rodgers, 2012, Start
with a project strategy section, para. 1).
Reference list example:


Include a date if the source may change over time.
The title is not italicised.
Author (Year). Title. Retrieved from http://URL
S Rodgers, R. (2012). Planning a successful intranet project. Retrieved from
http://www.steptwo.com.au/papers/cmb_projectplan/index.html
Cancer Institute NSW. (2012). Unmasking the deadly secrets of pancreatic cancer.
Retrieved November 5, 2012, from
http://www.cancerinstitute.org.au/news/i/unmasking-the-deadly-secrets-ofpancreatic-cancer
Image on the
Web
In-text:
. . . (Dreamstime, 2012).
Reference list:
Author name. (Year). Title of photograph [Photograph ID No]. Retrieved from
http://URL
Dreamstime. (2012). Library [Photograph ID: 2010294]. Retrieved from
http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-library-image2010294
Other sources: examples
Personal
communication
Information gained through personal communication, such as face-to-face
interview or conversation, telephone call, facsimile, letter, email, discussion
groups, etc. are considered to be data that is not recoverable. They should be
provided as an in-text citation only.
Details of personal communications do not need to be included in the reference
list.
In-text:
K. Reimers (personal communication, July 4, 2011) . . .
OR
. . . (K. Reimers, personal communication, July 4, 2011)
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