In addition to the number of authors, the type of source you are referencing also determines how you should format your entry. The first line of each reference list appears flush left, and the remaining lines of each entry are indented one-half inch from the margin. Like the rest of your manuscript, it should be double-spaced. Your references should be organized alphabetically by each author’s last name. Note that the word “References” should not be bolded, underlined, italicized, or placed in quotation marks. Begin the page with “References” centered at the top. The reference list should be at the end of your paper, starting on its own page. Likewise, if you cite a source in your paper or dissertation, it must appear in your reference list. This means your reference list should only include sources that you cited within the body of your paper.
Unlike many other style manuals, the APA style reference list includes cited sources only and is not bibliographic.
This article will review the basics of APA referencing style and provide some examples for easy reference. Your in-text citations and reference list must be consistent and the two should be easy to cross-reference. Your reference list is a crucial part of your dissertation or thesis as it allows your readers to locate and retrieve your cited sources.
