APA Format: Guidelines, Tips, and Examples

Reference Page in APA Format

In APA format, the reference page lists sources cited within a paper, enabling readers to easily access the materials used.

Basic Guidelines

• Start the reference page on a new page.
• Center and bold the title "References" at the top.
• Use double spacing throughout the reference page.
• Alphabetize references by the first author's last name.
• Capitalize only the first letter of article titles and the first letter after a colon.
• Indent all lines after the first line of each reference.

Formatting Different Source Types

Journals and Periodicals

• Include the author's name (last name, first initial), publication year, article title, journal title, volume number, issue number (if available), and page numbers.
• Italicize the journal title and volume number.
• DOI (Digital Object Identifier): If available, include the DOI as a hyperlink at the end of the reference.

Example:

Doe, J. (2023). The Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 45(1), 123-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.01.001

Books

• Include the author's name (last name, first initial), publication year, book title, edition (if applicable), publisher, and ISBN (International Standard Book Number).
• Italicize the book title.
• DOI: If available, include the DOI as a hyperlink at the end of the reference.

Example:

Smith, A. B. (2020). The Psychology of Happiness (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198824332.001.0001

Electronic Sources

• Follow the same basic format as for print sources, but include the URL or DOI of the electronic source.
• DOI: If available, include the DOI as a hyperlink at the end of the reference.
• URL: If no DOI is available, include the full URL of the electronic source.

Example:

Jones, C. (2022). The Benefits of Exercise for Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/exercise-and-mental-health

Conclusion

For more detailed information on APA format, consult the official APA Style Manual or reliable online resources. Always refer to the most current edition of the APA Style Manual to ensure your references are accurate and consistent.