Chapter 4: Reference List

Note: The numbers before the headings refer to chapter sections in the fifth edition.

The hanging indent is back as the preferred manuscript form for reference lists. Entries should begin flush left, and the second and subsequent lines should be indented.

Italics is preferred over underlining.

4.03: Publishers' locations:

• When dealing with locations, authors are instructed to give complete locations, including provinces (e.g., those in Canada or Australia), if applicable.
• When the publisher is a university and the name of the state (or province) is included in the university name, do not repeat the name of the state (or province) in the publisher location.

4.07: General forms: A new general form has been added for online periodicals and documents.

4.08: Authors: Now only list up to and including six authors. When there are seven or more authors, the seventh and subsequent authors are abbreviated as "et al."

4.12: Title of nonperiodicals: [Motion picture] replaces Film and Videotape as a bracketed descriptor. [Data file] has been added.

4.15: Retrieval information: Electronic sources: A new section has been added that instructs users on the retrieval information from the Internet or an aggregated database.

Reference examples: The following reference examples have been added or altered. The number refers to the reference number.

4. Journal article, more than six authors: After the sixth author use "et al." to indicate remaining authors.

5. Journal article in press: Expanded to discuss manuscripts that have not yet been accepted.

12. Entire issue of a journal: Expanded to include special sections.

17. Abstract from secondary source: Secondary source is now defined and the general format for these references covered.

39. English translation: Expanded information is given on identifying the translator and how to identify editors who function as both translator and editor.

44 & 45. Government report: Deleted the need to reference the specific deposit services.

46. Report from a university: Added that if the name of the province or country is included in the name of the university, it should not be repeated in the publisher location.

53. Poster session: Eliminated the request to include the state name.

54 & 55. Doctoral dissertation: Changed "on university microfilm" to "from UMI". Also, deleted references to microfilm and CD-ROM.

62. Publication of limited circulation: Added material concerning documents that may be obtained from the Web.

63 & 64. Changed "Review of a film" to "Review of a motion picture."

Audiovisual media: A new reference example has been added for Motion picture, including specific examples for a feature film, a film in limited circulation, and a training videotape, with bullets explaining what needs to be included for each.

68. Single episode in a television series: Changed and clarified material regarding the placement of the scriptwriter(s) and director and indications of their functions.

70. Cassette recording: "Cassette recording"is now called "Audio recording."

Section I: Electronic media: This section has been completely rewritten to acknowledge the variety of electronic information sources available, particularly on the Internet. This section pays particular attention to the structure and components of the URL. Minimal requirements for a reference are noted: authors (if available), document title or description, date of publication or retrieval, and address (URL).

New examples and explanatory material are provided for the following:

71. Internet articles based on a print source

72. Articles in an Internet-only journal

73. Articles in an Internet-only journal, retrieved via file transfer protocol (ftp)

74. Article in an Internet-only newsletter

75. Multiple page document created by private organization, no date

76. Chapter or section in an Internet document

77. Stand-alone document, no author identified, no date

78. Document available on a university program or department Web site

79. Report from a university, available on private organization Web site

80. U.S. government report available on government agency Web site, no publication date indicated

81. Report from a private organization, available on organization Web site

82. Abstract of a technical report retrieved from university Web site

83. Paper presented at a symposium, abstract retrieved from university Web site

84. Paper presented at a virtual conference

85. Message posted to a newsgroup

86. Message posted to online forum or discussion group

87. Message posted to an electronic mailing list

In addition to materials on the Internet, this section provides examples of references to other electronic sources (aggregated databases, software, raw data, and data files).

88. Electronic copy of a journal article, three to five authors, retrieved from a database

89. Daily newspaper article, electronic version available by search

90. Electronic copy of an abstract obtained from a secondary database

91. Electronic version of U.S. government report available by search from GPO Access database (on the Web)

92. Computer software

93. Computer software and manual available on university Web site

94. Data file, available from government agency

95. Data file, available from NTIS Web site

Chapter 1: The Manuscript
Chapter 2: Expression of Ideas
Chapter 3: APA Editorial Style
Chapter 4: Reference List
Chapter 5: Manuscript Preparation
Chapter 6: Material Other Than Journal Articles
Chapter 7: Manuscript Acceptance and Production
Chapter 8: APA's Journals Program
Appendix