Academic Support Center Using APA: Creating a Reference Page

Academic Support Center

Using APA: Creating a Reference Page

(APA 6

Edition, Revised August 2019)

General Guidelines for Formatting a Reference Page

Your reference list provides the information necessary for a reader to locate and retrieve any source

you cite in the essay.

1. Each source you cite in the essay must appear in your reference list (except for personal

communications), and each entry in the reference list must be cited in your text.

2. Start the reference list on a new page. Using the same 12-point font, type the word References

in upper and lowercase letters, centered, at the top of the page on the first line below the page

header; do not underline, bold, or put it in quotation marks.

3. Your reference list must be in alphabetical order according to the author’s last name; if no

author is given for a particular source, alphabetize by the title of the piece. If you have more than

one work by a particular author, order them by publication date, oldest to newest.

4. Provide first initial (not first name) and middle initial (if provided) for all authors of a

particular work.

5. Capitalize only the first word of a title of a work, a proper noun in a title, or a word that follows a

colon in a title.

6. Italicize titles of books and journals—note that the italics extend to include the volume number

of a periodical as well as the period at the end of a book title.

7. Use “&” instead of “and” when listing multiple authors of a single work.

8. The first line of each entry on your reference page should be at your left margin; subsequent

lines should be indented ½ inch (“hanging” indentation).

9. The entire reference page must be double-spaced—do not add extra spacing between entries.

10. Space once after periods that separate parts of a reference citation.

11. Provide the year of publication only—the only exception to this is if you are referencing a

monthly or weekly magazine or a newspaper article. References to academic journals should

NOT include the month or date.

(For purposes of space, the examples in this document are presented using

1.5 spacing; all entries on an APA Reference page, however, should be

double-spaced!)

One Author

Riabov, V. V. (2011). Methodologies and tools for the software quality assurance course. Journal of

Computing Sciences in Colleges, 26(6), 86-92.

Two Authors

Philip, B. N., & Lee, R. E. (2010). Changes in abundance of aquaporin-like proteins occurs

concomitantly with seasonal acquisition of freeze tolerance in the goldenrod gall fly, Eurosta

solidaginis. Journal of Insect Physiology, 56(7), 679-685.

Three to Seven Authors

Rock, M. L., Schoenfeld, N., Zigmond, N., Gable, R. A., Gregg, M., Ploessl, D. M., & Salter, A.

(2013). Can you Skype me now? Developing teachers' classroom management practices

through virtual coaching. Beyond Behavior, 22(3), 15-23.

More Than Seven Authors

List the first six authors (in the order presented) followed by an ellipsis (. . .) and the name of the last

author.

Cunningham, P. D., Valdes, N., Vallejo, F., Hayden, L. M., Polishak, B., Xing-Hua, Z., . . . Twieg, R.

(2011). Trahertz characterization of the refractive index and absorption of polymeric and

organic electro-optic materials. Journal of Applied Physics, 109(4), 43505-43511.

No Author

Title of article or web page. (Year of publication). Title of the publication or sponsoring web site, page

number OR Retrieved from URL

Going to college? Take their advice. (2019, October 25). New York Times, p. E1.

Dignity. (2019). In Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/dignity

Group Authors

If the author is a corporation, organization, or government agency, use the group's name in the author

position. Spell out the full name.

American Diabetes Association. (2016). What is gestational diabetes? Retrieved from

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/gestational/what-is-gestational-diabetes.html

U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. (2014). Afghanistan:

Rights 2013. Retrieved from http://0www.atoztheworld.com.lib.rivier.edu/ntent.php?cat=grw

NUMBERS OF AUTHORS

JOURNAL ARTICLES

If a source provides a PDF file, you do not need to name the database or provide a URL. APA does require that

you provide a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) when available, usually found on the first page of the document or

on the results page.

Author, A. (Year). Title of article. Title of the Periodical, volume(issue), page number(s). doi: (if available)

JOURNAL ARTICLES—PRINT OR PDF FILE

Croxton, R. A. (2014). The role of interactivity in student satisfaction and persistence in online

learning. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 10(2), 365-379.

Tawa, J., & Murphy, S. (2013). Psychopharmacological treatment for military posttraumatic stress

disorder: An integrative review. American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 25(8), 419–423.

doi: 10.1111/1745-7599.12016

ONLINE JOURNAL ARTICLE—FROM WORLD WIDE WEB, NO PDF or DOI

Kennedy, R., Murphy, D., & Roberts, D. (2013). An overview of the national quality strategy: Where

do nurses fit? OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18(3). Retrieved from

http://www.nursingworld.org/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN.html

Weider, B. (2011). iPads could hinder teaching, professors say. Chronicle of Higher Education.

Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/article/iPads-for-College-Classrooms-/126681/

DISSERTATIONS, MAGAZINE ARTICLES, or NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

DISSERTATION OR MASTER’S THESIS

Barbaro, S. E. (1999). Effects of low temperature, cold shock and various carbon sources on the

physiology of a psychrotrophic Acinetobacter (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from Proquest

Dissertations and Thesis Database. (UMI No. NQ38217).

MAGAZINE ARTICLE

Friedman, N. (2014, July 1). Parents just don’t understand. Psychology Today. Retrieved from

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201406/parents-just-dont-understand

Slezak, M. (2013, November 2). The now delusion. New Scientist, 34-38.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

Endangered sea turtles released to the wild. (2014, August 5). Boston Globe. Retrieved from

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/08/05/endangered-sea-turtles-released-

wild/story.html

Porter, E. (2014, May 21). For schools, long road to a level playing field. New York Times, pp. B1, B6.

BOOKS

BOOK IN PRINT

Author, A. (Date of publication). Title of the book (edition, if provided). City, State: Publisher.

Tavani, H. T. (2013). Ethics & technology: Ethical issues in an age of information & communication

technology (4th ed.). New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.

BOOK IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT

Author, A. (Date of publication). Title of the book (edition, if provided) [Version, if applicable].

Retrieved from URL

Grossman, S. (2013). Mentoring in nursing: A dynamic and collaborative process (2

ed.). Retrieved

from https://books.google.com/books/about/Mentoring_in_Nursing.html?id=Ew8aWVr2X10C

Rekart, J. L. (2013). The cognitive classroom: Using brain and cognitive science to optimize

student success [Kindle version]. Retrieved from Amazon.com

BOOK BY A CORPORATE OR GROUP AUTHOR

If the corporate author is also the publisher, type the word “Author” in place of the publisher.

American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological

Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Washington Post Writers Group. (1995). Issues in adolescent sexuality: Readings from the Washington

Post writers group. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

BOOK PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT

Agency. (Date). Title of document. Place of Publication: Publisher.

Department of Labor. (2003). Employment law guide (OASP-01). Washington, DC: Author.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2005). Statistical abstract of the United States: 2006. Washington, DC: U.S.

Government Printing Office.

ITEM/ENTRY IN A REFERENCE BOOK/DICTIONARY

Baptism. (2009). In The Catholic encyclopedia. New York, NY: Robert Appleton Company.

Nurse-midwife. (2019). In Merriam-Webster online dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/nurse-midwife

EDITED BOOK

Wasserman, L. H., & Zambo, D. (Eds.). (2013). Early childhood and neuroscience: Links to

development and learning. New York, NY: Springer.

CHAPTER OR ESSAY IN AN EDITED BOOK

Author of section, A. (Publication year of book). Title of section. In A. Author (Ed.), Title of book

(pages of section). City, State: Publisher.

Berry, W. (2006). An invisible web. In M. R. Schwehn & D. C. Bass (Eds.), Leading lives that matter:

What we should do and who we should be (pp. 283-293). Grand Rapids, MI: William B.

Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Connell, D., & Van Stelten, J. (2013). Neuroscience: The genesis of our individual brain strengths. In

L. H. Wasserman & D. Zambo (Eds.), Early childhood and neuroscience: Links to development

and learning (pp. 23-42). New York, NY: Springer.

MATERIALS POSTED TO CANVAS

MATERIAL CREATED BY INSTRUCTOR

Ainsley, M. (2014, Fall). Basics of family health care [Online handout]. Retrieved from Rivier

University Canvas course page.

Faiia, M. (2014, September 29). Social norms [Lecture notes]. Retrieved from Rivier University

Canvas course page.

O’Donnell, P. (2014, March 4). Sexuality and gender identity [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from

Rivier University Canvas course page.

MATERIAL FROM OTHERS POSTED BY THE INSTRUCTOR

Cite the correct format for the original version using as much information as available and adding current

online information. Style will depend on the type of source.

Bjork, S. T. (2010). Behavioral problems in the classroom. In S. Sharkey (Ed.), Classroom

management (pp. 306-310). Nutley, NJ: Halthorpe. Retrieved from Rivier University Canvas

course page.

McDonald, L. (2014). Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole on nursing and health care. Journal of

Advanced Nursing, 70(6), 1141-1152. Retrieved from Rivier University Canvas course page.

WEB SITES/WEB DOCUMENTS

ARTICLE OR PAGE FROM THE WORLD WIDE WEB

If there is no author, start your citation with the title of the article or web page. If there is a span of years listed at

the bottom of the web page/section, provide the most current year.

Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies Communications. (2014). U.S. unprepared for housing

needs of aging population. Harvard Gazette. Retrieved from http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/

story/2014/09/u-s-unprepared-for-housing-needs-of-aging-population/

Kerry, J. (2014). Welcoming remarks at our ocean conference. U.S. Department of State. Retrieved

from https://2009-2017.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2014/06/227626.htm

Modeling and role modeling theory. (2016). Nursing Theory. Retrieved from

http://www.nursingtheory.org/theories-and-models/erickson-modeling-theory.php

Uganda. (2019). Countries and Their Cultures. Retrieved from http://www.everyculture.com/

To-Z/Uganda.html

FILMS, MEDIA, and ART

MOTION PICTURE, VIDEO FILE, or DVD

Buppert, C. (2014, March 17). Legal issues keeping nurses awake at night [Video file]. Retrieved from

http://youtube/4kV3iFZBmQg?list=PLumNaMdMcQisfpg1Rd5y5pIDKV6lRHBvN

Kamaron Institute. (2009, April 20). Cyber bullying prevention: A survival guide [Video file].

Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck-OIP6nwLo&feature =pyv&ad=

2786451113&kw=%22internet%20bullying%22

Miller, G., & Mitchell, D. (Producers), & Miller, G. (Director). (2004). Lorenzo’s oil [DVD]. United

States: Universal Studios.

TELEVISION PROGRAM, EPISODE, OR SINGLE BROADCAST

Kilmurry, S. (Producer). (2014). POV. New York, NY: PBS Broadcasting.

Pequeneza, N. (Director/Producer). (2014). 15 to life. In S. Kilmurry (Executive Producer), POV. New

York, NY: PBS Video. Retrieved from http://video.pbs.org/video/2365298832/

AUDIO OR PODCAST RECORDING

Parrish, S. (Producer). (2017, November 1). Leading the quiet revolution with Susan Cain [Episode

24]. The Knowledge Project. Podcast retrieved from https://fs.blog/the-knowledge-project/

Shelton, C. (2013, October 21). Understanding heart disease [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from

http://www.healthlines.com

FINE ART

Artwork Viewed in Person

Monet, C. (1900). The water lily pond [Painting]. Boston, MA: Museum of Fine Arts

Reproduction on a Website

Monet, C. (1900). The water lily pond [Painting]. Retrieved from http://www.mfa.org/

collections/object/the-water-lily-pond-33697

On the Strand. [Photograph]. (1926). Retrieved from https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/london-park-

sheep-1926-1938/

Image in an Art Database

Fantuzzi, Antonio. (1540-45). Holy family [Etching]. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY.

Web Gallery of Art.

Reproduction in a Book

Steen, J. (2004). The feast of St. Nicholas [Painting]. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. In P. de Rybnek, How

to read a painting (p. 312). New York, NY: Abrams. (Original work 1665).

Reproduction in a Print Journal

Hernandez, A. (1980). Public transit areas #25 [Photograph]. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art,

San Francisco. In K. Wolf. (2019, June/July). Public Access. Art in America, 71.

PERSONAL COMMUNICATION (INTERVIEWS, CLASS NOTES)

Personal communication such as interviews, letters, e-mails, and class notes not available on Canvas are

not listed on your reference page. The first time you refer to this type of source in the body of your paper,

cite the communicator's name, identify who he or she is and the type of personal communication, and

provide the date of the communication. You do not need to repeat this information again.

Dr. Edward Dalton, head of the Elliot Breast Health Center team, believes that women deserve “prompt,

definitive answers about their mammograms and biopsies” (personal communication, May 12, 2014).

Sociological imagination allows people to connect their personal troubles with larger social forces and

understand them as public issues, not just private ones (M. Day, class notes, November 12, 2013).

References

American Heart Association. (2019). High blood pressure. Retrieved from

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure

Baptism. (2009). In The Catholic encyclopedia. New York, NY: Robert Appleton Company.

Barbaro, S. E. (1999). Effects of low temperature, cold shock and various carbon sources on the

physiology of a psychrotrophic Acinetobacter sp. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from

Proquest Dissertations and Thesis Database. (UMI No. NQ38217).

Buppert, C. (2014, March 17). Legal issues keeping nurses awake at night [Video file]. Retrieved

from http://youtube/4kV3iFZBmQg?list=PLumNaMdMcQisfpg1Rd5y5pIDKV6lRHBvN

Connell, D., & Van Stelten, J. (2013). Neuroscience: The genesis of our individual brain strengths. In

L. H. Wasserman & D. Zambo (Eds.), Early childhood and neuroscience: Links to

development and learning (pp. 23-42). New York, NY: Springer.

Hughes, C., White, N., Foley, S., & Devine. (2018). Family support and gains in school readiness: A

longitudinal study. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 88(2), 284-299. doi:

10.1111/bjep.12188

Kennedy, R., Murphy, D., & Roberts, D. (2013). An overview of the national quality strategy: Where

do nurses fit? OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18(3). Retrieved from

http://www.nursingworld.org/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN.html

Meehan, M. (2013). Islam, modernity, and the liminal space between. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK:

Cambridge Scholars Press.

Modeling and role modeling theory. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.nursingtheory.org/theories-

and-models/erickson-modeling-and-role-modeling-theory.php

Monet, C. (1900). The water lily pond [Painting]. Boston, MA: Museum of Fine Arts

Philip, B. N., & Lee, R. E. (2010). Changes in abundance of aquaporin-like proteins occurs

concomitantly with seasonal acquisition of freeze tolerance in the goldenrod gall fly, Eurosta

solidaginis. Journal of Insect Physiology, 56(6), 679-685.

U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. (2014). Afghanistan:

Human rights report 2013. Retrieved from http://0www.atoztheworld.com.lib.rivier.edu/

ntent.php?cat=grw