How to Reference Articles in APA Format

APA format details a set of strict rules for referencing articles that appear in academic journals and other periodicals. These vary somewhat based on where the article appears and who the authors are. While most articles you will use in your paper appear in academic and professional journals, you may also find articles in magazines, newspapers, and online publications.

Keep reading for a breakdown of the rules for creating references in APA format.

Basic Structure for Journal Article References

Examples

Smith, L. V. (2000). Referencing articles in APA format.APA Format Weekly, 34(1), 4-10.

If possible, include the DOI (digital object identifier) number at the end of your reference. If a DOI number is not available and you accessed the article online, give the URL of the journal’s home page.

Formatting Rules

Be sure to check your references using the officialPublication Manual of the American Psychological Association.See anexampleof different types of references and learn more aboutAPA format.

Basic Rules of APA Format

Magazine Articles

The structure of a reference for an article appearing in a magazine is similar to that of a journal article. However, be sure to add the month and day of publication to the publication date.

ExampleJames, S. A. (2001, June 7). Magazine articles in APA format.Newsweek, 20,48-52.

Example

James, S. A. (2001, June 7). Magazine articles in APA format.Newsweek, 20,48-52.

Newspaper Articles

References for newspaper articles follow the basic structure as magazines, but you should list each individual page the article appears on rather than a page range.

ExampleTensky, J. A. (2004, January 5). How to cite newspaper articles.The New York Times,4D, 5D.

Tensky, J. A. (2004, January 5). How to cite newspaper articles.The New York Times,4D, 5D.

How to Cite Sources in APA Citation Format

ExampleMischel, W., & Baker, N. (1975). Cognitive transformations of reward objects through instructions.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 31, 254-261.

Mischel, W., & Baker, N. (1975). Cognitive transformations of reward objects through instructions.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 31, 254-261.

ExamplesHart, D., Keller, M., Edelstein, W., & Hofmann, V. (1998). Childhood personality influences on social-cognitive development: A longitudinal study.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74,1288-1289. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.74.5.1278Keller, J. L., Smithfield, K. B., Ellis, M., Michelina, R., & Bels, S. (1987). The limitations of anchoring bias. Journal of Market Research, 17, 115-119.

Hart, D., Keller, M., Edelstein, W., & Hofmann, V. (1998). Childhood personality influences on social-cognitive development: A longitudinal study.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74,1288-1289. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.74.5.1278Keller, J. L., Smithfield, K. B., Ellis, M., Michelina, R., & Bels, S. (1987). The limitations of anchoring bias. Journal of Market Research, 17, 115-119.

Keller, J. L., Smithfield, K. B., Ellis, M., Michelina, R., & Bels, S. (1987). The limitations of anchoring bias. Journal of Market Research, 17, 115-119.

How to Write a Bibliography in APA Format

If the article includes 20 or fewer authors, list each author separately. If there are more than 20, include the first 19 and then include an ellipse (. . . ) in place of the authors' names before listing the final author.

ExampleArlo, A., Black, B., Clark, C., Davidson, D., Emerson, E., Fischer, F., Grahmann, G., Habib, H., Ianelli, I., Juarez, J., Kobayashi, K., Lee, L., Martin, M., Naim, N., Odelsson, O., Pierce, P., Qiang, Q., Reed, R., Scofield, S., . . . Thatcher, T. (2011). Even more references.APA Format Today, 11(4), 30-38.

Arlo, A., Black, B., Clark, C., Davidson, D., Emerson, E., Fischer, F., Grahmann, G., Habib, H., Ianelli, I., Juarez, J., Kobayashi, K., Lee, L., Martin, M., Naim, N., Odelsson, O., Pierce, P., Qiang, Q., Reed, R., Scofield, S., . . . Thatcher, T. (2011). Even more references.APA Format Today, 11(4), 30-38.

ExampleScientists seek source of creativity. (2012, March, 6).Dayton County News.http://www.daytoncountynews.com/news/39756_39275.html

Scientists seek source of creativity. (2012, March, 6).Dayton County News.http://www.daytoncountynews.com/news/39756_39275.html

Reminder

The reference section is one of the easiest places to lose points due to incorrect APA format, so be sure to check your references before you hand in yourpsychology papers. While it may be tedioous, learning to reference articles in proper APA style will help you throughout your study of psychology.

APA Format Guidelines, Tips, and Examples

SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association(7th ed.). The American Psychological Association, 2019.

Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association(7th ed.). The American Psychological Association, 2019.

American Psychological Association.Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association(7th ed.). The American Psychological Association, 2019.

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Basic Structure for Journal Article References#

Examples#

Formatting Rules#

Magazine Articles#

Example#

Newspaper Articles#

Reminder#