APA Reference List: The Basics

As a Biology/Psychology double major, Mizuki will often use the American

Psychological Association (APA) style to cite sources in her papers. This
style is used for psychology, other social sciences, and some sciences.
APA style uses a reference list at the end of the paper to provide the full
details of the sources cited. Everything cited in the paper must appear in
the reference list. Look at the following APA citations from Mizuki's
psychology paper on the effects of media on body image and note the
elements usually required when writing complete citations.

Be sure to keep track of this information as you gather your sources during
the research process. You'll need it later when you write your paper.

Book with One Author

Format:
Author's Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Year). Title of
book. Place of Publication: Publisher.
Citation:
Wegenstein, B. (2006). Getting under the skin: The body and media
theory. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Chapter from Edited Book
Format:
Chapter Author's Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Year).
Title of essay. In Editor First Initial. Middle Initial. Last Name
(Ed.), Title of edited book(pp. Page Numbers of Chapter). Place
of Publication: Publisher.

Citation:
Tiggemann, M. (2002). Media influences on body image
development. In T. F. Cash & T. Pruzinsky (Eds.), Body image: A
handbook of theory, research, and clinical practice (pp. 91-98).
New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Journal Article
Format:
Author's Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Year). Article
title. Journal Title, Volume Number (Issue Number), Page
Numbers. DOI
Citations:
Schooler, D. (2008). Real women have curves: A longitudinal
investigation of TV and the body image development of Latina
adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Research, 23, 132-153.
doi:10.1177/0743558407310712
Grabe, S., Ward, L. M., & Hyde, J. S. (2008). The role of the media in
body image concerns among women: A meta-analysis of
experimental and correlational studies. Psychological Bulletin,
134, 460-476. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.134.3.460
Magazine Articles
Format:
Author's Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Year, Month Day).
Article title. Magazine Title, Volume Number, Page Numbers.
Citation:
Underwood, N. (2001 August 14). Body envy. Maclean's, 113, 36-40.
Web Sites

Format: Varies depending on what type document it is. The basic citation
format includes:
Organization or Author's Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial.
(Publication Year, Month Day) Title of document. Print Publication
Information. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
1. If the source does not have a date of publication, use (n.d.).
2. If the publication has no author, begin with the title and then the
date.
Citation:
American Psychological Association Task Force on the Sexualization
of Girls. (2007). Report of the Task Force on the Sexualization of
Girls.Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved April 12, 2008, from
http:// www.apa.org/pi/wpo/sexualizationrep.pdf
Want more examples? See the library's APA citation guide. See
also: Citation Guides and Other Resources.
Cite While You Write: APA

As soon as you use the ideas, words or other intellectual property from an
outside source, acknowledge the original work by citing it. In-text citations
distinguish other people's words and thoughts from your own and direct
your reader to the complete citation in the Reference List. In APA style the
in-text citation consists of the author's name and the date.

 Author included in the sentence:

Format: include date in parentheses after the author's name
In-Text Example: Grabe, Ward, and Hyde (2008) analyzed 77
studies examining the relationship between women's exposure to
media depicting thin models as the ideal body type and body image
disturbance.
Corresponding Reference List Entry:
Grabe, S., Ward, L. M., & Hyde, J. S. (2008). The role of the
media in body image concerns among women: A meta-analysis of
experimental and correlational studies. Psychological Bulletin,
134, 460-476. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.134.3.460
Author not included in the sentence:
Format: include author's last name, a comma, and date in
parentheses
In-Text Example: A recent study (Grabe, Ward, & Hyde,
2008) supported the link between media exposure to the thin-ideal
body and body image disturbance.
Corresponding Reference List Entry:
Grabe, S., Ward, L. M., & Hyde, J. S. (2008). The role of the
media in body image concerns among women: A meta-analysis of
experimental and correlational studies. Psychological Bulletin,
134, 460-476. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.134.3.460
Source doesn't have an author

Format: Mention the title in the sentence or use the first few words of
the title in the parenthetical citation. Put quotation marks around
article titles and sections of a web site; italize titles of reports and
other full documents.
In-Text Example: "Television link to eating disorders"
(2002) reported on a study of eating disorders in girls in Fiji before
and after the introduction of television. Researchers found that dieting
and eating disorders increased after exposure to television
programs.
Corresponding Reference List Entry:
Television link to eating disorders. (2002, 31 May) In BBC News
Health. Retrieved April 18, 2008, from
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2018900.stm
Source doesn't have date
Format: Use n.d. (the abbrievation for no date) in place of the date.
In-Text Example: The body mass index of all women participating in
the study were within the normal range according to the Centers for
Disease Control (n.d.) interpretations for adults.
Corresponding Reference List Entry:
Centers for Disease Control. (n.d.). How is BMI calculated and
interpreted? Retrieved April 12, 2008 from
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/adult_BMI/about_adult_BM
I.htm#
Interpreted
For additional advice on writing psychology papers, see the University of
Washington's Psychology Writing Center guides. See also an APA sample
research paper at Diana Hacker's Research and Documentation Online.
Want to Explore a Different Style or Continue with APA?

Quoting, Summarizing, and Paraphrasing

Three common techniques used to work other people's words and ideas
into your writing are quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing. What are
they, specifically?

Quoting:
Using the author's exact words. Always cite it and use "quotation
marks."
Summarizing:
Condensing the author's words or ideas without altering the meaning
or providing interpretation - you use your own words for this.
Basically, presenting the original information in a nutshell. Always cite
it.
Paraphrasing:
Restating, in your own words, the author's words or ideas without
altering the meaning or providing interpretation. Paraphrases are
about the same length as the original. Always cite it.
Tips on Quoting
Some good reasons to include a quote are:
You want to support or add credibility to your arguments
The original is difficult to rephrase
The original is soooo good that you want to preserve the language
Quoting is good, but stringing a bunch of quotes together without analysis
and well-crafted transitions is bad. Also, random quotes will just look like
you are trying to make the page requirements of the assignment.
Note: Psychology studies generally summarize or paraphrase research

studies, and do not directly quote the exact words of an author.

Always include a citation and use "quotation marks" to signal that you are
using someone else's words when you quote.
Here's an example of what a direct quote would look like in Mizuki's paper
using APA:
Original
To the extent that a woman's self-image is challenged or threatened by an
unattainable ideal of an impossibly thin female physique, she may well
become susceptible to disruption of her self-regard, and may be more likely
to develop an eating disorder. In short, the sociocultural model argues that
exposure to idealized media images (a) makes women feel bad about
themselves and (b) impels women to undertake the sort of "remedial"
eating patterns that easily and often deteriorate into eating disorders.
Quote in Paper (APA)
Polivy and Herman (2004) noted that the sociocultural model of eating
disorders "argues that exposure to idealized media images (a) makes
women feel bad about themselves and (b) impels women to undertake the
sort of 'remedial' eating patterns that easily and often deteriorate into eating
disorders" (p. 2).

This complete citation appears in Mizuki's reference list.

Polivy, J., & Herman, C. P. (2004). Sociocultural idealization of thin female
body shapes: An introduction to the special issue on body image and
eating disorders. Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology, 23, 1-6.
doi:10.1037/0033-2909.134.3.460

Tips on Summarizing
In academic writing, there are a few things to keep in mind when
summarizing outside sources:
Use your own words
Include the key relevant elements of the original and keep it brief you're just going for the original's essence
Do not include your interpretation/analysis within the summary - make
a clear distinction between your thoughts and someone else's
Vary how you introduce or attribute your sources, like "according to..."
or "so-and-so concludes that..." so your readers don't get bored
Always include a citation
Here's an example of a good summary from Mizuki's paper:
Original
Despite decades of research into the sociocultural model of eating
disorders, we still do not understand how such sociocultural influences
produce disordered eating in any given individual (or why a similar person
in the same cultural milieu does not become disordered). Clearly, though,
one source of vulnerability lies in a woman's body image. To the extent that
a woman's self-image is challenged or threatened by an unattainable ideal
of an impossibly thin female physique, she may well become susceptible to
disruption of her self-regard, and may be more likely to develop an eating
disorder. In short, the sociocultural model argues that exposure to idealized
media images (a) makes women feel bad about themselves and (b) impels
women to undertake the sort of "remedial" eating patterns that easily and
often deteriorate into eating disorders.
Summary in Paper (APA)
Polivy and Herman (2004) noted that we still do not know how or why
sociocultural influences like the media contribute to some individuals
developing eating disorders while others do not. In some cases, the
ubiquitous message of thinness and ideal beauty broadcast by the media

can challenge a woman's self-image, disrupting her sense of self-esteem.

However, not all women are influenced by the same media messages in
the same way. The sociocultural model explores the ways women
internalize the media's ideal of unattainable thinness and beauty, and how
that internalization in turn can result in disordered eating and a distorted
sense of body image (pp. 1-2).

Note: APA does not require a page number reference for summaries, but
you are encouraged to include it when it would help the reader find the
relevant information in a long text. Be sure to ask your professor whether
page numbers are needed for summaries in papers written for his/her
class.
This complete citation appears in Mizuki's reference list:
Polivy, J., & Herman, C. P. (2004). Sociocultural idealization of thin female
body shapes: An introduction to the special issue on body image and
eating disorders. Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology, 23, 1-6.
doi:10.1037/0033-2909.134.3.460
Tips on Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing can be tricky. You need to make sure that you don't copy the
original author's style or wording. Even if you have a citation, such
borrowing would be considered plagiarism. Paraphrases should sound like
you, using vocabulary and sentence structures that your reader would
recognize as your work. To make sure you are not plagiarizing
unintentionally, think about and jot down the source's main points. Then,
write your paraphrase without looking at the original. When you have
finished, compare your paraphrase with the original:
Have you simply changed a few words to synonyms? Try again.
Being handy with a thesaurus is not enough to make the sentence
yours.

 Have you included exact sequences of words from the original? If so,
make sure to put quotation marks around those phrases, or re-write
until the entire paraphrase is your words.
Have you retained the meaning of the original? Changing the author's
meaning is not plagiarism, but academic honesty requires you to
represent other's work accurately in your writing.
Here's an example of a good paraphrase from Mizuki's paper:
Original
To the extent that a woman's self-image is challenged or threatened by an
unattainable ideal of an impossibly thin female physique, she may well
become susceptible to disruption of her self-regard, and may be more likely
to develop an eating disorder.
Paraphrase in Paper (APA)
If a woman interprets the media's representation of thinness as the ideal
she must achieve, her sense of self-esteem might be threatened and even
damaged, making her more likely to exhibit disordered eating patterns
(Polivy & Herman, 2004, p. 2).

Note: APA does not require a page number reference for summaries, but
you are encouraged to include it when it would help the reader find the
relevant information in a long text. Be sure to ask your professor whether
page numbers are needed for summaries in papers written for his/her
class.
This complete citation appears in Mizuki's reference list:
Polivy, J., & Herman, C. P. (2004). Sociocultural idealization of thin female
body shapes: An introduction to the special issue on body image and
eating disorders. Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology, 23, 1-6.
doi:10.1037/0033-2909.134.3.460

Citing Module Recap:

Always cite and document other people's words, ideas, and other
intellectual property that you use in your papers and that influence
your ideas.
o Plagiarism is taking other people's words and/or ideas and
presenting them as your own.
o Always use quotation marks when using exact words of an
author. It is not enough to give the source.
o When paraphrasing, do not copy author's style or wording.
Even if you have a citation, such borrowing is considered
plagiarism. When you paraphrase using your own words, credit
must still be given to the original author for the idea.
There are many citation styles - always ask which style your
professor prefers.
Always make sure you are clear on what would be considered
acceptable group work.

When in doubt, ask your professor.

https://web.williams.edu/wp-etc/acadresources/survival_guide/CitingDoc/CitingContents.php