Formatting the References Page in APA Style
The references page is an essential component of any research paper or project. This page lists all sources that were cited or referred to in the text of your paper. Proper formatting of citations and references allows readers to locate source materials and demonstrates academic honesty. The references page must adhere to strict American Psychological Association (APA) style guidelines in order to avoid plagiarism accusations and earn high marks.
In APA style, the references page begins on a new page after the concluding section of the paper. The page is titled “References” and centered at the top of the page without formatting such as italics, bold, or quotation marks. All references are double spaced and use a hanging indent, meaning the first line of each citation is flush against the left margin and subsequent lines are indented 5-7 spaces. Alphabetize references by the first word of each citation, usually the author’s last name. If no author is listed, alphabetize by the first significant word of the title. Include the full name of the author, year of publication, title of work, and source information to ensure the references are complete and easily located by readers.
Article from an Online Periodical
Sonnen, M. (2019, November 7). 5 tips for crafting the perfect research paper references page. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/millennial-media/201909/5-tips-crafting-the-perfect-research-paper-references-page
Book
Rowling, J. K. (2005). Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Scholastic.
Chapter in an Edited Book
Klimmt, C., Rizzo, A., Vorderer, P., Kohler, M., & Fischer, F. (2009). Playing video games. In R. L. Nabi & M. B. Oliver (Eds.), The Sage handbook of media processes and effects (pp. 221-234). Sage.
Webpage
American Psychological Association. (2020, June 23). How to cite a webpage in APA. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples/webpage
YouTube Video
Miller, B. (2019, September 23). The science of procrastination [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arj7oStGLkU
The key things to remember when formatting the references page are:
The page header “References” is centered at the top without any extra formatting.
Alphabetize references by author’s last name or first significant word of title if no author is present.
Use a hanging indent format so the first line of each reference is flush with the left margin while subsequent lines are indented 5-7 spaces.
Include full names of authors, year published, titles in italics, and complete publication details so readers can easily locate sources.
Double space the entire list of references, including between entries.
Consistency is crucial so check the APA Style Manual or Publication Manual of the APA for guidance on reference formatting.
A meticulously formatted references page demonstrates proper citation of sources and adherence to academic standards. With thorough proofreading and careful attention to detail, readers can quickly access cited materials and assess the legitimacy of research presented. Proper formatting makes the difference between well-structured academic work and a lackluster submission plagued by incorrect citations. Take the time to learn APA style and format a references page correctly to boost the credibility of your research paper and project.