Citing Online Sources

American Psychological Association (A.P.A.) Style

Citing online sources is similar to citing printed books, journals, or magazines, but requires adding additional information.  This guide will help you format your citations for articles found in online databases, electronic books, and websites.  

Here are key points to remember:

· For articles in databases:  in addition to the standard information (author, article name, journal name, volume and pages), you also need to provide the date you accessed the information and the name of the database.

· Spacing, punctuation, and indenting: (5 spaces at the beginning of every line but the first).  

• Capitalization: In any title (article, book, encyclopedia, journal, magazine, etc.) capitalize the first word, proper nouns, and first word after a colon.
• Titles: Titles may be italicized or underlined.
• If no author given, place the title in the author position. 
• For multiple authors, list the first 6 authors, last name and initials.

Keep in mind that you may not be able to determine all elements for your electronic source, but the goal in citing is to clearly identify your source so that others may locate it.  

Here are generic templates, followed by specific examples for articles, encyclopedia entries, electronic books, journal, magazine, or newspaper articles from websites, website articles, and Internet government documents.  In the generic templates, parentheses are used to indicate material is in (    ).  Parentheses are used for the date and issue number of a periodical.  Brackets [      ] are used when specific information is to be substituted for the brackets.  

You may need to find similar examples and modify them for your particular source.  For more examples, refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th ed. (BF76.7 P83 2001).  If you need additional help, please ask a librarian.

Article from Online Databases: 

Author's last name, Initial(s).   (Year of publication, month day).   Article title: Capitalize first word,
         proper nouns, and word after colon if any.   Journal / Magazine / Newspaper title, volume
         (issue #), page numbers.  Retrieved [month day, year], from [name of database], Article No. 
         [only if given].

Cogle, C. R., Guthrie, S. M., & Sanders, R. C. An overview on stem cell research and regulatory issues.
         (2003 August) Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 78 (8), 993. Retrieved June 1, 2005, from Academic
         Search Premier.

Encyclopedia Article:

Author's last name, Initial(s).  (Copyright date of the electronic publication).  Article title:  Capitalize
         first word, proper nouns, and word after colon if any.  In [Encyclopedia name]. Retrieved
         [month day, year], from [URL]

Homeland Security, Department of (2002).   In Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. 
         Retrieved June 1, 2005, from http://search.epnet.com

Note: If an entry has no author, place the title in the author position.

E-Books:

Author's / Editor's last name, Initials.  (Year of publication).  Title of e-book. Place of Publication:
         Publisher.  Retrieved [month day, year], from [URL]

Brownson, M. (1998).   "Lone wolf" Gonzaullas, Texas ranger. Norman, Okla.: University of
Oklahoma Press.  Retrieved October 12, 2001, from http://www.netLibrary.com  

Journal, Magazine, or Newspaper Article from Website:

Author's last name, Initial(s). (Year, month day).  Article title: Capitalize first word, proper nouns,

and word after colon if any.  Name of journal, magazine, or newspaper.   
         Retrieved [month day, year], from [URL]

Valdez, D.W. (2005, May 25).  Politics imperils El Paso’s medical school funding. El Paso Times. 
         Retrieved June 1, 2005, from http://elpasotimes.com

Article from Website:

Author's last name, Initial(s). (Year, Month day).  Document title or name of web page.   Retrieved  
         [month day, year] from [URL]

Facts about arthritis. (2005, May 24).  Retrieved June 1, 2005 from
         http://www.arthritis.org/resources/gettingstarted/default.asp

Internet Government Report:

Sponsoring agency. (Year, Month day).  Title of document.  (Publication data).  Retrieved
         [Month, day, year], from [Name of Organization and URL]

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.   (2005 January).   Diabetes Overview. (Online Document:
         NIH Publication No. 05-3873.) Retrieved June 2, 2005, from The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
         and Kidney Diseases, NIH: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/overview/index.htm

Any other questions?

If you have further questions, please ask a librarian at any campus Reference Desk:

Valle Verde Campus (915) 831-2442 
Transmountain Campus (915) 831-5098
Rio Grande Campus (915) 831-4019
Mission del Paso Campus (915) 831-7040
Northwest Campus (915) 831-8840

 or consult the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th ed. (BF76.7 P83 2001).

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El Paso Community College Libraries.
Last Updated: September 23, 2005
Page (Rev 05) created by Becky Perales beckyp@epcc.edu

URL: http://www.epcc.edu/library/citingapa.htm


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