Private: The Fundamentals for Creating an APA Paper

Reference Page

Mary Wuergler

Listen to the audio version of how to structure  an APA style reference list:

Image of Perfect APA format L6-8 Title Page, detailed descriptive text below.
APA Style Reference Page by Mary Wuergler, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.
How to structure APA reference list (7th edition).

At the top of the reference page, use the heading References; this should be bolded and centered. If you only have one reference listed, then use the singular heading Reference.

Your reference page should do the following:

  • Every source you have an in-text citation for should also be listed on the reference page.
  • If there is more than one author, do not change the order in which the authors’ names are listed in the source (see below for information on how to reference and cite multiple authors).
  • Put the references in alphabetical order using the last name of the first author listed or by the organization name if the organization is the author.
  • Use a hanging indent so that author’s name is further left than the rest of the citation.
  • When creating references, use the digital object identifier [New Tab] (doi) if provided. If there is no doi, use the URL link.

In Microsoft Word, click the line and paragraph spacing icon and then select Line spacing options.  In the options available ensure that:

  • The alignment of the document is set to “Left” not justified.
  • Under spacing options the line spacing is set to double – not single.
  • Set the spacing for Before and After a paragraph to 0 pt.

Example references:

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

Opdebeeck, C., Katsaris, M. A., Martyr, A., Lamont, R. A., Pickett, J. A., Rippon, I., Thom, J. M., Victor, C., & Clare, L. (2021). What are the benefits of pet ownership and care among people with mild-to-moderate dementia? Findings from the IDEAL programme. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 40(11), 1559-1567. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464820962619

 

Helpful Documents

 

Additional Resources

 

 

This video explains how to create references in an APA Style student paper:

Watch the video: APA References (10 minutes)

Video Source: Georgian College Academic Success. (2022, August 19). APA references [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIgCu1O4UE0&list=PLiHDZlctTlUSOMuPBNDr2g-QuiuUJQ26L&index=3

 

 

APA Reference Page Activity with In-text Citations

APA Reference Page Activity with In-text Citations (Text Version)
Select the correct APA reference page and write APA in-text citations in the blank provided.
Note: If you are unfamiliar with APA citation styles, you may find it helpful to review the material found on Georgian College’s  APA Writing & Citing Guide [New Tab].
  1. APA Reference – Book/eBook citation
    Choose the full citation for the reference page that is in proper APA citation format for a printed book. See the APA site for reference information on book/eBook [New Tab] references.

    1. Freeman, J. M., Kossoff, E. M., Freeman, J. B., Kelly, M. T. (2006). Ketogenic Diet: A Treatment for Children and Others with Epilepsy. Demos Medical Publishing.

    2. Freeman, J. M., Kossoff, E. M., Freeman, J. B., Kelly, M. T. (2006). Ketogenic diet: A treatment for children and others with epilepsy. Demos Medical Publishing.

    3. John M. Freeman, Eric M. Kossoff, E.M., Jennifer B. Freeman, & Millicent T Kelly. Ketogenic Diet: A Treatment for Children and Others with Epilepsy. Demos Medical Publishing. (2006).

    4. Freeman, J. M., Kossoff, E., Freeman, J.B., Kelly, M. T. (2006). Ketogenic diet: A treatment for children and others with epilepsy. Demos Medical Publishing.

  2. In-text Citation: Book/eBook
    Fill in the blank: Write the in-text citation for information taken from this source and used as a paraphrase in someone else’s writing.
    Book Title: Ketogenic diet: A treatment for children and others with epilepsy.
    Authors: John Freeman, Eric Kossoff, Jennifer Freeman, and Millicent Kelly
    Publication: Demos Medical Publishing
    Date: 2006
    Answer: ______
  3. APA Reference: Webpage with a group author
    Choose the full citation for the reference page that is in proper APA citation format for a webpage with a group author. See the APA site for reference information for webpages [New Tab]. For reference information take a look at the House Food Insecurity [New Tab] website.

    1. Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. (2022, November 16). Household food insecurity. https://www.simcoemuskokahealthstats.org/topics/determinants-of-health/socioeconomic-characteristics/household-food-insecurity

    2. Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. (2022, November 16). Household Food Insecurity. Retrieved from https://www.simcoemuskokahealthstats.org/topics/determinants-of-health/socioeconomic-characteristics/household-food-insecurity

    3. Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. (2022). Household food insecurity. https://www.simcoemuskokahealthstats.org/topics/determinants-of-health/socioeconomic-characteristics/household-food-insecurity

    4. https://www.simcoemuskokahealthstats.org/topics/determinants-of-health/socioeconomic-characteristics/household-food-insecurity
  4. In-text Citation: Direct Quote webpage with a group author
    Fill in the blank: Write the in-text citation for information taken from paragraph 4 of this source and used in a direct quote in someone else’s writing.
    Article Title: Household food insecurity.
    Author: Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
    Publication: Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
    Date: November 16, 2022
    Answer: ______
  5. APA Reference: Online newspaper article
    Choose the full citation for the reference page that is in proper APA citation format for an online newspaper article. See the APA site for reference information for online newspaper articles [New Tab]. For reference information take a look at the Family-run B.C. company beats out some big names to win acoustic guitar of the year [New Tab] newspaper article.

    1. Peters, J. (2022). Family-run B.C. company beats out some big names to win acoustic guitar of the year. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/guitar-award-mmr-riversong-1.6675494

    2. Peters, J. (2022, December 6). Family-run B.C. Company Beats Out Some Big Names to Win Acoustic Guitar of the Year. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/guitar-award-mmr-riversong-1.6675494

    3. Peters, J. (2022, December 6). Family-run B.C. company beats out some big names to win acoustic guitar of the year. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/guitar-award-mmr-riversong-1.6675494

    4. Jason, P. (2022, December 6). Family-run B.C. company beats out some big names to win acoustic guitar of the year. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/guitar-award-mmr-riversong-1.6675494

  6. In-text Citation: Paraphrased online newspaper article
    Fill in the blank: Write the in-text citation for information taken from this source and summarized in someone else’s writing.
    Article Title: Family-run B.C. company beats out some big names to win acoustic guitar of the year.
    Author: Jason Peters
    Publication: CBC
    Date: December 6, 2022
    Answer: ______
  7. APA Reference: Webpage with a group author
    Choose the full citation for the reference page that is in proper APA citation format for a professional online journal. See the APA site for reference information for online journals [New Tab]. For reference information take a look at the Vitamin D supplementation and total mortality [New Tab] journal article.

    1. Autier, P., & Gandini, S. (2007). Vitamin D supplementation and total mortality: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Archives of Internal Medicine, 167(16), Pages 1730-1737. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.167.16.1730

    2. Autier, P., & Gandini, S. (2007). Vitamin D supplementation and total mortality: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Archives of Internal Medicine, 167(16), 1730-1737. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/413032

    3. Autier, P., & Gandini, S. (2007, September 10). Vitamin D Supplementation and Total Mortality: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Archives of internal medicine, 167(16), 1730-1737. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.167.16.1730

    4. Autier, P., & Gandini, S. (2007). Vitamin D supplementation and total mortality: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Archives of Internal Medicine, 167(16), 1730-1737. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.167.16.1730

  8. In-text citation: Paraphrased online journal article
    Fill in the blank: Write the in-text citation for information taken from this source and used as a paraphrase in someone else’s writing.
    Article Title: Vitamin D supplementation and total mortality: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
    Authors: Philippe Autier and Sara Gandini
    Publication: JAMA
    Date: September 10, 2007
    Answer: ______
  9. APA Reference: Professional medical journal
    Choose the full citation for the reference page that is in proper APA citation format for a professional medical online journal.
    See the APA site for reference information for professional medical online journal [New Tab].  For reference information take a look Estimation of the dietary requirement for vitamin D in healthy adolescent white girls [New Tab] online journal article.

    1. Cashman, FitzGerald, Viljakainen, Jakobsen, Michaelsen, Lamberg-Allardt, & Molgaard, C. (2011). Estimation of the dietary requirement for vitamin D in healthy adolescent white girls. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 93(3), 549-555. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.110.006577

    2. Cashman, K.D., et al. (2011). The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Estimation of the dietary requirement for vitamin D in healthy adolescent white girls. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.110.006577

    3. Cashman, K. D., FitzGerald, A. P., Viljakainen, H. T., Jakobsen, J., Michaelsen, K. F., Lamberg-Allardt, C., & Molgaard, C. (2011). Estimation of the dietary requirement for vitamin D in healthy adolescent white girls. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 93(3), 549-555. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.110.006577

    4. Cashman, K. D., FitzGerald, A. P., Viljakainen, H. T., Jakobsen, J., Michaelsen, K. F., Lamberg-Allardt, C., & Molgaard, C. (2011). Estimation of the dietary requirement for vitamin D in healthy adolescent white girls. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 93(3), Pages 549-555. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.110.006577

  10. In-text citation: Direct quote professional medical journal
    Fill in the blank: Write the in-text citation for information taken from page 551 of this source and used in a direct quote in someone else’s writing.
    Article Title: Estimation of the dietary requirement for vitamin D in healthy adolescent white girls.
    Authors: Cashman, K. D., FitzGerald, A. P., Viljakainen, H. T., Jakobsen, J., Michaelsen, K. F., Lamberg-Allardt, C., & Molgaard, C
    Publication: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
    Date: 2011
    Answer: ______
Check your answers

  1. b) Freeman, J. M., Kossoff, E. M., Freeman, J. B., Kelly, M. T. (2006). Ketogenic diet: A treatment for children and others with epilepsy. Demos Medical Publishing.

  2. (Freeman et al., 2006)

  3. a) Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. (2022, November 16). Household food insecurity. https://www.simcoemuskokahealthstats.org/topics/determinants-of-health/socioeconomic-characteristics/household-food-insecurity

  4. (Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, 2022, para. 4)

  5. c) Peters, J. (2022, December 6). Family-run B.C. company beats out some big names to win acoustic guitar of the year. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/guitar-award-mmr-riversong-1.6675494

  6. (Peters, 2022)

  7. d) Autier, P., & Gandini, S. (2007). Vitamin D supplementation and total mortality: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Archives of Internal Medicine, 167(16), 1730-1737. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.167.16.1730

  8. (Autier & Gandini, 2007)

  9. c) Cashman, K. D., FitzGerald, A. P., Viljakainen, H. T., Jakobsen, J., Michaelsen, K. F., Lamberg-Allardt, C., & Molgaard, C. (2011). Estimation of the dietary requirement for vitamin D in healthy adolescent white girls. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 93(3), 549-555. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.110.006577

  10. (Cashman et al., 2011, p. 551)

Activity Source: “APA Reference Page Activity with In-text Citations” by Mary Wuergler, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

 

Reference information:

  • If a resources does not have a date include: (n.d.). where the date should go.
  • When listing an author use the author(s)’ last name and initials only.
  • If there is no author, cite the title first, then the date.
  • For books, ebooks and newspapers use p. for a single page, and pp. for succession of pages, e.g.: pp. 312-322.
  • For journal and magazine articles use only the number(s) of pages, e.g.: 223-475.
  • Take a look at Missing Reference Information [New Tab] on the APA Style website for what to do when you are missing information such as a title, author, or date.

Journal Articles

Journal article with a DOI

  • Include DOI after periodical information starting with https://doi.org/…….

Journal article with a DOI follows the format:
Author, A. A. (yyyy). Title of article: Subtitle if there is one. Title of Journal in Italics: Subtitle of Journal, volume(issue), xx-xx. https://doi.org/10. …….

Example of a Journal article with a DOI:

Kuder, S. J., & Accardo, A. (2018). What works for college students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 48(3), 722–731. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3434-4

Journal article with no DOI

Journal article with no DOI follows the format:
Author, A. A. (yyyy). Title of article: Subtitle if there is one. Title of Journal in Italics: Subtitle of Journal, volume(issue), xx-xx.

Example of a Journal article with no DOI:

Seon, J., Prock, K. A., Bishop, J. D., Hughes, A. K., Woodward, A. T., & MacLean, M. (2019). Formal and informal social support and academic achievement among college students with unstable childhood experiences. Child Welfare, 97(1), 21–43.

Journal article with up to 20 authors

  • List each author using Surname, A. A. format.

Journal article with up to 20 authors follows the format:
Surname, A., Surname, B., Surname, C., & Surname, D. (Year). Title of article: Subtitle if there is one. Title of Journal in Italics: Subtitle of Journal., volume(issue), xx-xx. https://doi.org/10.

Example of a Journal article with up to 20 authors:

Manigault, A. W., Woody, A., Zoccola, P. M., & Dickerson, S. S. (2018). Education is associated with the magnitude of cortisol responses to psychosocial stress in college students. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 25(5), 532–539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-018-9727-y

Webpages

Webpage with known author

Webpage with a known author follows the format: 

Author, A. (Year). Title of webpage in italics. Site Name. URL

Example of a website with a known author:

Smith, M., & Robinson, L., & Segal, J. (2019). Depression symptoms and warning signs. HelpGuide. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-symptoms-and-warning-signs.htm

Webpage with an unknown author

Webpage with an unknown author  follows the format:
Name of Group. (Date). Title of webpage in italics. URL

Example of a webpage with an unknown author:

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.) Depression (major depressive disorder). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007

Webpage of an association

  • When using multiple pages from the same site, each page has a separate reference.

Webpage of an association follows the format:
Name of Association. (Date). Title of webpage in italics. URL

Example of a Webpage of an association:

Website with publication date:

Zero to Three. (2016, February 25). Learning to write & draw. https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/305-learning-to-write-and-draw

 

Website with no publication date:

Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance. (n.d.). Accessible Canada Act in plain language. https://www.include-me.ca/federal-accessibility-legislation-alliance/resource/accessible-canada-act-plain-language

Webpage with retrieval date

  • Retrieval information is included only if information may be updated or modified, such as census or population data.

Webpage with retrieval date follows the format:
Name of association. (Date). Title of webpage in italics. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL

Example of a webpage with a retrieval date:

Worldometer. (n.d.). Countries in the world by population. Retrieved January 26, 2020, from https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/population-by-country/

Videos & Film

Films

Films follow the format: 
Director, D. (Director). (Year). Title of film in italics [Film]. Production Company.

Example of a film:

Wright, J. (Director). (2013). The soloist [Film]. Dreamworks.

YouTube or streaming video

YouTube or streaming video follows the format:
Author, A. (Year, Month Day). Title of video in italics [Format]. Platform. URL

Example of Online film:

Obomsawin, A. (2014). Trick or treaty? [Film]. National Film Board of Canada. https://nfb.ca/film/trick_or_treaty/

Examples of YouTube videos:

Henry, M. (2013, June 12). How cancer spreads (Metastasis) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc1CO9D_kMs

National Cancer Institute. (2017, February 17). Metastasis: How cancer spreads [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQwar_-QdiQ

 

Example of TED Talk from TED Talk website: 

Urban, T. (2016, February). Inside the mind of a master procrastinator [Video]. TED 2016 Conference. https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_urban_inside_the_mind_of_a_master_procrastinator/up-next

 

Example of TED Talk from YouTube:

TED. (2016, April 6). Tim Urban: Inside the mind of a master procrastinator [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arj7oStGLkU

Social Media

Take a look at the APA style website for information on how to reference and cite social media posts [New Tab] (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etcetera).

Books

  • Books & ebooks are referenced in the same manner unless an ebook has a DOI.

ebook with DOI

ebook with DOI follows the format:

Surname, A. A. (Year). Title in italics: Subtitle if there is one. Publisher name. https://doi.org/10.xxxxxxx

Example of an ebook with DOI:

Toki, V. (2018). Indigenous courts, self-determination and criminal justice. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351239622

 

Book with one author

Book with one author follows the format:

Surname, A. A. (Year Published). Title of books in italics: Subtitle. Publisher.

Example of a book with one author:

Balzer-Riley, J. W. (2012). Communication in nursing. Elsevier/Mosby.

 

Book with up to 20 authors

  • Include all authors/editors

Book with up to 20 authors follows the format:
Surname, A.A., Surname, B.B., Surname, C.C., Surname, D.D., & Surname, E.E. (Year of Publication). Title of books in italics: Subtitle. Publisher.

Example of a book with up to 20 authors:

Doenges, M. E., Moorhouse, M. F., & Murr, A. C. (2015). Nurse’s pocket guide: Diagnoses, prioritized interventions, and rationales (3rd ed.). F.A. Davis.

Book with more than 20 authors

  • Include the first 19 authors, use … , and then the last author on the list.

Book with more than 20 authors follows the format:
Surname, A., Surname, B., Surname, C., Surname, D., Surname, E., Surname, F., Surname, G., Surname, H., Surname, I., Surname, J., Surname, K., Surname, L., Surname, M., Surname, N., Surname, O., Surname, P., Surname, Q., Surname, R., Surname, S.,  … Surname, Z. (Year). Title of the book in italics: Subtitle if there is one. Publisher.

 

Book with no author

Book with no author follows the format:
Title in italics: Subtitle if there is one (xx ed.). (Year). Publisher.

Example of a book with no author:

Mosby’s dictionary of medicine, nursing & health professions (10th ed.). (2017). Elsevier.

Edited book

  • List up to 20 editors, acknowledge their role with (Eds.). If there are more than 20 editors: list first 19, use … , final editor, and then (Eds.)

Edited book follows the format:
Surname, A.A., Surname, B.B., Surname, C.C., Surname, D.D. & Surname, E.E. (Eds.). (Year of Publication). Title of books in italics: Subtitle if there is one (Edition). Publisher.

Example of an edited book:

Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P. A., Hall, A. M., Astle, B. J., & Duggleby, W. (Eds.). (2019). Canadian fundamentals of nursing (9th ed.). Mosby/Elsevier Canada.

Book with editor(s) and author(s)

  • Include Author information as Author, A. A. (Surname, Initials) and Editor information as B. B. Editor (Initials, Surname):

Book with editor(s) and author(s) follows the format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title in italics: Subtitle if there is one. A. Editor (Ed.). Publisher.

Example of a book with editor(s) and author(s):

Graff, G. (2015). “They say/I say”: Moves that matter in academic writing, with readings. C. Birkenstein & R. K Russell (Eds.). W. W. Norton & Company.

Chapter, article, essay, story, or poem in a collection or edited book

  • Author name written in Surname, A. format. Editor information in A. Surname format.

A chapter or article from a book format:
Author, A., Author, B., & Author, C. (Year). Title of chapter. In E.E. Editor & F.F. Editor (Eds.), Title of book in italics (x ed., pp. x-xx). Publisher Name.

Example of a chapter from a book:

McCance, K. L., Grey, T. C., & Rodway, G. (2014). Altered cellular and tissue biology. In K. L. McCance, S. E. Huether, V. L. Brashers, & N. S. Rote (Eds.), Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children (7th ed., pp. 49-102). Mosby Elsevier.

Attribution

Except where otherwise noted, this chapter is adapted from “References” sections (Books, Articles, Web Resources, Images & Videos) in APA 7th edition by NorQuest College Library, licensed under CC BY-NC-4.0.

Adaptations include editing, addition and removal of information:

Addition of:

Removal of the following sections:

  • what are references, personal communications, legal citations, title, editions, volumes & issues, publisher, DOI or URL,  what goes where in APA references, all reprinted materials, Indigenous Elders & Knowledge Keepers, religious works, classical works, all nursing resources, magazines, newspapers, news sites, photography, image.
  • webpage of an association, webpage with retrieval date, webpage (group author, no date), weblog/blog post (author’s proper name available), and all online dictionaries, encyclopedia.

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