Cite your sources
12 Cite Using APA Style
Citing your sources is a process of wayfinding: you provide the “address”—the reference— so that the reader is able to find the original source. Following a specific citation style ensures that there is consistent information to help the reader find the information. The most commonly used citation style in Nursing and other Health Sciences programs is APA style. This chapter covers the basics of how to cite your sources in APA style.
Tips
- Cite all the information you use. Every single use of someone else’s work in your paper must be acknowledged with a citation.
- Make sure your in-text citations match your references. Every in-text citation must match up with a full reference in the reference list. Every reference in the reference list must match up with at least one in-text citation.
- Use the right format for each type of source. Every type of resource (book, journal article, website, etc.) requires slightly different formatting, so look for an example that is relevant to the source you want to cite.
- Try a citation manager. Use a citation manager to make it easy to keep track of the materials you’re citing.
Important Terms Used in this Chapter
The Process of Creating APA Papers
Citations vs. References
Many people use the terms “citation” and “reference” interchangeably, but there is a difference in APA style. They are two different steps in the process of citing your sources in APA style.
- Step 1: In-text citation. The citations in the body of your paper are called “in-text citations.”
- Step 2: Reference.The more detailed record at the end of your paper is called a “reference.” (sometimes “full reference”). You might hear some people call the items in your reference list “citations,” but technically they should be called “references.”
Formatting APA Papers
In addition to citations, APA style also has rules about formatting all sections of your paper. For example, there is a specific format for APA-style title pages. These modules do not cover APA style beyond citations, so if your instructor has asked you to format your entire paper in APA style, please consult a guide such as the OWL from Purdue University.
Step 1: In-text Citations
Every single use of someone else’s work in your paper must be acknowledged. You do this by adding an in-text citation right before or after the use of someone else’s idea.
An in-text citation is a short indication of someone else’s work, embedded right in the body of your paper. In-text citations include the author, the year of publication, and the page number. You only need to include the page number if you are using a direct quotation.
Examples of in-text citations:
- For paraphrases: (Jones, 2016)
- For direct quotes: (Jones, 2016, p.139)
Every single in-text citation must have a corresponding full reference at the end of the paper. You have to have both an in-text citation and a detailed reference in order for the citation to be complete.
For more instructions and examples for in-text citations, please see your college citation guide, or refer to Seneca’s APA In-Text Citation page.
Watch the video to learn more about in-text citation. You can also read the video transcript.
Step 2: References
The reference list contains detailed information about each source. These detailed references are on a separate page at the end of your paper. It is arranged alphabetically by first author’s last name.
Tips for creating a reference list page:
- List each source (such as journal articles, books, websites) that you used in your paper
- Each source must be listed in alphabetical order by first author’s last name. If there is no identifiable author for a source, cite it by title.
- Indent the second and following lines of each reference entry (this is known as a “hanging indent”)
- Double-space the references.
Watch this video to learn more about creating a reference list. You can also read the video transcript.
Locating Information in a Citation
Sometimes it’s hard to know where to look to find the information you need to create a citation. Different types of sources require different information to be included on the reference page.
Citing: Books & Ebooks
This section provides format rules and examples for the following types of sources; click on the name of a source type to see the rules:
Citing: Journal Articles
This section provides format rules and examples for the following types of sources; click on the name of a source type to see the rules:
Citing: Websites
This section provides format rules and examples for the following types of sources; click on the name of a source type to see the rules:
Websites with a known author |
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Reference List Citation |
Format: Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given., and any additional authors. (Year, Month Day). Title of document. Website Name. Hyperlinked URL Example Geist, M. (2019, May 22). The foundation of Canada’s digital charter: Privacy law reform focused on a data-driven economy. Michael Geist. http://www.michaelgeist.ca/2019/05/the-foundation-of-canadas-digital-charter-privacy-law-reform-focused-on-a-data-driven-economy/ |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation:
For a paraphrase:
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Websites with a group or corporate author (stand-alone document) |
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Reference List Citation |
Format: Group or Corporate Name. (Year). Title of document. Website name (include if different from author). Hyperlinked URL Example Automotive Industries Association of Canada. (n.d.). Be car care aware. https://www.aiacanada.com/what-we-do/our-programs/bcca.html |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation:
For a paraphrase:
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Online Encyclopedia, Dictionary or Thesaurus Entry |
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Reference List Citation |
Format: Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given., and any additional authors. (n.d.). Title of entry. In Name of encyclopedia. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from Hyperlinked URL Example Koch, E. (n.d.). Adrienne Clarkson. In The Canadian encyclopedia. Retrieved August 10, 2020, from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/adrienne-louise-clarkson Note: When online reference works are continuously updated and no archived version is provided, enter “n.d.” for the year and provide a retrieval date. |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation:
For a paraphrase:
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Report by a Government Agency or Other Organization |
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Reference List Citation |
Format: Group or Corporate Name. (Year). Title of document. Website name (include if different from author). Hyperlinked URL Example Canadian Cancer Society. (2015). Advanced cancer. http://www.cancer.ca/~/media/cancer.ca/CW/publications/Advanced%20cancer/32043-1-NO.pdf Note: When the author and the website name are the same, omit the website name. |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation:
For a paraphrase:
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Wikipedia Articles |
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Reference List Citation |
Format: Title of entry. (Date of access). In Wikipedia. Hyperlinked URL Example Gestalt psychology. (2020, August 8). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gestalt_psychology&oldid=971777041 Note: Note: Cite the archived version of the Wikipedia entry! To access the archived versions in Wikipedia, in your entry, click on View History and then the date of the version you used. Use the link, and the date, in your citation. |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation:
For a paraphrase:
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No Author, No Date |
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Reference List Citation |
Format: Title of document. (n.d.). Website Name. Hyperlinked URL Example What is physics? (n.d.). Physics. http://www.physics.org/article-questions.asp?id=18 Note: If there is no identifiable date, put (n.d.). in place of the year to show you couldn’t find a date. |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation:
For a paraphrase:
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Citing: Course Materials
This section provides format rules and examples for the following types of sources; click on the name of a source type to see the rules:
PowerPoint Slides |
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Reference List Citation |
Format: Instructor’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year, Month Day). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Publisher. Login page for publisher. Example Smith, J. (2017, Month Day). Cite your sources using APA style [PowerPoint slides]. eCentennial. https://e.centennialcollege.ca/ |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation:
For a paraphrase:
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Citing: Videos
This section provides format rules and examples for the following types of sources; click on the name of a source type to see the rules:
Streaming Video |
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Reference List Citation |
Note: The person or group who uploaded the video is considered the author. If the author’s name is the same as the username, you can omit the [Username]. Include the author’s username and real name (if known). Format: Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. [Username]. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. Name of streaming site. Hyperlinked URL Example The Learning Portal/Le Portail d’Apprentissage. (2017, January 24). Types of paragraphs in an academic essay [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/TforwSE7ow0 |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation:
For a paraphrase:
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Citing: Newspapers & Magazines
This section provides format rules and examples for the following types of sources; click on the name of a source type to see the rules:
Online News Article From a Newspaper |
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Reference List Citation |
Follow this example if your article is from a news site with an associated newspaper.
Format: Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year, Month Day). Title of article. Title of Newspaper. Hyperlinked URL Example Van Bastelaer, S. (2017, March 28). Is it time to take your snow tires off? The Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/news/starweather/2017/03/is-it-time-to-take-your-snow-tires-off-.html |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation:
For a paraphrase:
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Webpage on a News Website with No Newspaper |
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Reference List Citation |
Follow this example if your article is from an online news source with no associated newspaper.
Format: Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year, Month Day). Title of news article. Title of Site. Hyperlinked URL Example Mark, C. (2020, April 2). Tips on avoiding back pain and injury while working from home. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/life/wellness/tips-for-avoiding-back-pain-and-injury-while-working-from-home-1.5519774 |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation:
For a paraphrase:
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Online Magazine Articles |
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Reference List Citation |
Format: Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year, Month Day). Title of article. Title of Magazine. Hyperlinked URL Example Nguyen, M. (2020, July 27). Smart financial decisions small business owners should make now. Canadian Business. https://www.canadianbusiness.com/small-business/small-business-financial-decisions-to-make-now/ |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation:
For a paraphrase:
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Citing: Social Media
This section provides format rules and examples for the following types of sources; click on the name of a source type to see the rules:
Tweet |
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Reference List Citation |
Format:
Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given or Full Name of Group [@username]. (Year, Month Day). Text of the tweet up to first 20 words [Tweet]. Twitter. Hyperlinked URL Example: NASA [@NASA]. (2020, July 21). Have you ever seen something so beautiful? [globe of Americas] [pleading face] Live views from earth from space during today’s spacewalk [Video attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1285573798301962241 |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation or paraphrase:
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Twitter Profile |
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Reference List Citation |
Format:
Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given or Full Name of Group [@username]. (Year, Month Day). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Twitter. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from Hyperlinked URL Example: National Geographic [@NatGeo]. (n.d.). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Twitter. Retrieved August 5, 2020 from https://twitter.com/NatGeo |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation or paraphrase:
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Facebook Post |
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Reference List Citation |
Format:
Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given or Name of Group. (Year, Month Date). Content of the post up to the first 20 words [Type of post]. Facebook. Hyperlinked URL Example: Outside Magazine. (2020, August 13). In a normal summer, thousands of AT thru-hikers need to eat over 4,000 calories a day to offset their trail [Article attached]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/outsidemagazine/posts/10158538463710429 |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation or paraphrase:
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Facebook Page |
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Reference List Citation |
Format:
Lastname, F. M. or Name of Group. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from Hyperlinked URL Example: Confederation College. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved May 5, 2020 from https://www.facebook.com/confederation |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation or paraphrase:
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Instagram Photo or Video |
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Reference List Citation |
Format:
Lastname, F. M. or Name of Group [@username]. (Year, Month Date). Content of the post up to the first 20 words [Type of post]. Instagram. Hyperlinked URL Example: Julie Payette [@ggjuliepayette]. (2020, August 12). Culture, history, breathtaking beauty. Today we celebrate the day that #Nunavut officially became a recognized territory within Canada. Happy #NunavutDay! [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCbIbqYAE2s |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation or paraphrase:
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Podcast Episode |
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Reference List Citation |
Format:
Podcast Host Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if available. (Host). (Year, Month Day). Title of episode: Subtitle (No. If provided) [Audio podcast episode]. In Name of podcast. Publisher. Hyperlinked URL Example: Gilbert, E. (Host). (2015, July 13). Do what ignites your soul [Audio podcast episode]. In Magic lessons. Riverhead Books. http://podbay.fm/show/1018969048/e/1436813857?autostart=1 |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation or paraphrase:
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Citing: Images
This section provides format rules and examples for the following types of sources; click on the name of a source type to see the rules:
Online Photograph, Photographer Known |
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Reference List Citation |
Format:
Photographer’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year). Title of photograph[Photograph]. Publisher. Hyperlinked URL Example: Herber, S. (2013). Ice fishing hut 23 [Photograph]. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/sandraherber/49922430776/ |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation or paraphrase:
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Online Photograph, No Title and Photographer Unknown |
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Reference List Citation |
Format:
[Description of photograph] [Photograph]. (Year). Publisher. Hyperlinked URL Example: [Children running down a path] [Photograph]. (n.d.). Pikist. https://www.pikist.com/free-photo-vtffe Note: If the photograph does not have a title, provide a description in square brackets in place of the title. If there is no date listed, use (n.d.). |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation or paraphrase:
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Artwork in a Museum or on a Museum Website |
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Reference List Citation |
Format:
Artist’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year). Title of work [Format of work]. Museum Name, Museum Location. Hyperlinked URL if available Example: Johnson, S.A. (2003). Nadine [Photograph]. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada. https://www.gallery.ca/collection/artwork/nadine |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation or paraphrase:
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Stock Image or Clip Art |
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Reference List Citation |
Format:
Artist’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given or username. (Year). Title of work [Clip art/Stock image]. Publisher. Hyperlinked URL Example: GDJ. (2018). Concept plane silhouette [Clip art]. Openclipart. https://openclipart.org/detail/312645/concept-plane-silhouette Note: No citation is necessary for clip art from Microsoft programs. |
In-Text Citation |
For a quotation or paraphrase:
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Test Your Knowledge
- For attributions, please see the Attributions page in the table of contents. ↵
A direct quote, or quotation, is when you take someone else’s words and copy them word-for-word in your own work, inside quotation marks (“”). The rules for citing a direct quote in APA style are slightly different than the rules for citing a paraphrase, so be sure to refer to the module on citing in APA style for more details.
An in-text citation is a short indication of someone else’s work. The in-text citation should appear in the body of the paper, right next to the information you are citing. Every in-text citation must have a corresponding complete reference at the end of the paper, which provides more details.
Source: Build Citations by The Learning Portal, licensed under CC BY-NC. [https://tlp-lpa.ca/research/build-citations]
To paraphrase means to take someone else’s words or ideas and put them in your own words. The rules for citing a paraphrase in APA style are slightly different than the rules for citing a direct quote, so be sure to refer to the module on citing in APA style for more details. [GL]
Every APA-style assignment or article must have a References list at the end, which contains the full reference for each in-text citation in the body of the paper.