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Formatting a Bibliography

Bibliographies must:

Be in a single alphabetical order by the author's surname.

There should NOT be any sub-sections by item type (eg. Book, Thesis, Online Article) or format (eg. DVD, Kit, Web-page)

For works with no author, list by the title and include in the alphabetical author list at the appropriate point in the alphabetical sequence.

See EXAMPLE.


Have all the required bibliographic elements, i.e. Authors, Title, Edition, etc) listed in the correct order.


Use correct and consistent punctuation.

Include the names and initials of all of the first 6 authors (inclusive). 
If there are 7 or more authors use  et al. 

This also applies to Editors.

Refer to detailed examples below in 'Books, Authors' and 'Books, Editors'

 

Underline or italics?

APA states that the significant information in a reference can be underlined or in italics, as long as you are consistent.

However, the Department of Psychology prefers underlining so Psychology students should underline as given in the examples below.

Print Resources

Non-book resources (Multimedia)

 

 
Online/Web Resources

 


Print resources

Books (Authors)

List the following bibliographic details, in the following order:
  1. Name/s of author(s) [surname, and initials]
  2. Year of publication in parentheses (  ) [followed by a full stop]
  3. Title of publication underlined or in italics [followed by a full stop]
  4. Edition (in parentheses) if other than the first [followed by a full stop] [edition always abbreviated to ed.]
  5. Place of Publication [followed by a colon]
  6. Publisher [followed by a full stop]

 

A U T H O R S of Books - Examples :

ONE AUTHOR:

Comer, R. J. (1998). Abnormal psychology (3rd ed.). New York: Freeman.

TWO AUTHORS:

Henshaw, W. P., & Smithers, S. S. E. P. (1998). Elementary topographical systems. London: Simons & Birtwhistle.
THREE AUTHORS:

Harrison, E., Smith, S., & Wrightson, D. K. (2003). An introduction to biosciences. London: Tottingham, Saville and Townes.
FOUR AUTHORS:

Wilson, K. T., Watson, S., Thompson, E. M., & Hargreaves, W. P. T. (1994). Historical research into gender preferences in Edwardian social activites. Edinburgh: Street and Barnes.
FIVE AUTHORS:

Anderson, T., Coombs, K., Ivarsen, L., Strong, O., & Bertson, E. (1995). Global population projections : an assessment of current trends. Boston: Tomorrow Press.
SIX AUTHORS:

Greaves, A., Abbott, W., Butler, T., Carson, P., Devere, H., & Gregson, T. (2006). Environmental impacts of nuclear accidents. New York: Feldmore, Timms and Wills.

SEVEN (or more) AUTHORS:

Cornwold-Upton, M. A. S., Beechworth, D., Greentree, P. D., Ferguson, Q. F., Zacks, T., Pitt, M., et al. (2007). Evolutionary evidence for primate migration routes from Africa into Eurasia. London: University Press.

When there are MORE than SIX Authors, APA, lists the names for Authors 1-6 inclusive. However, the name of the seventh Author is replaced by;  et al.
NB. It is rare to find books written by more than 3 or 4 Authors.

 

 

Books (Editors)

List the following details, in order:

  1. Name/s of Editor(s) [surname, and initials]
  2. Year of publication in parentheses (  ) [followed by a full stop]
  3. Title of publication underlined or in italics [followed by a full stop]
  4. Edition (in parentheses) if other than the first [followed by a full stop] [edition always abbreviated to ed.]
  5. Place of Publication [followed by a colon]
  6. Publisher [followed by a full stop]


E D I T O R S for Books – Examples :

ONE EDITOR:

Maville-Jones, L. V. (Ed.). (2003). Learning techniques of infants. Adelaide: Watson, Little and Thomas.

TWO EDITORS:

Tovey, H., & Arnott, S. M. (Eds.). (2002). Relational and integrated numeric analysis of multi-phase transitional energy flows within contained n-spaces. New York: Mathematical Press.
THREE EDITORS:

Townsend, M. L., Andersen, F., & Upton, S. (Eds.). (2003). Conventional matrix integration techniques. Berlin: Schrub Books Press.
FOUR EDITORS:

Freemann, G., Carruthers, M. S. W. E., Delbridge, E., & Von Ingolsonn, L. (Eds.). (2004). Biographical readings in the emergence of European Totalitarianism. Amsterdam: Van Nuefeld & Viednevers.
FIVE EDITORS:

Bittleson, W. F., Canford, W. A., Deverson, L., Fishmore, N. T., & Greenway, M.-A. (Eds.). (1999). Lyrical and melodic structures in the late works of Brahms and Schubert. London: Treble & Bass Press.
SIX EDITORS:

Van Der Hessen, S. G., Hatten, B., Idman, V. F., Judge, K. M., Youngstan, L., & Cadsterway, H. G. (Eds.). (2000). Web graphics in three easy steps. Mexico City: Lurid House.

SEVEN (or more) EDITORS:

Billetsohn, W., Otherson, J., Green, M. A., Black, P., Neesmith, M., Sanders-Dodds, Z. T., et al. (Eds.). (2008). Lighting techniques for effective drama production in limited spaces. London: Architecture & Design.

When there are MORE than SIX Editors, APA, lists the names for Editors 1-6 inclusive. However, the name of the seventh Editor, etc is replaced by;  et al.
NB. It is rare to find books with more than 3 or 4 Editors.

 

 

 

Chapters in Books

List the following details, in order:
  1. Author(s) of chapter [surname, initials]
  2. Year of publication in parentheses ( ) [followed by a full stop]
  3. Chapter title [followed by a full stop]
  4. Editor/s of book preceded by "In"
  5. Title of book underlined or in italics
  6. Page numbers of chapter in parentheses [followed by a full stop]
  7. Place of Publication [followed by a colon]
  8. Publisher [followed by a full stop]

 

CHAPTERS IN BOOKS – Examples :

CHAPTER (pp. 334-389) with ONE AUTHOR:

Matterson, A. (2003). Readings in the development of intra organisational management theory. In H. T. Greaves & S. Van Iverssen (Eds.), Modern management : theoretical overviews and historical debates (pp. 334-389). London: Academic Books.

CHAPTER (pp. 772-797) with TWO AUTHORS:

Peters, J. V., & Neverton, O. (2008). Hadron decay rates within neuton absorbing flux-constant finite boundary layers. In I. P. De La Villers (Ed.), Dynamic and semi transient electro-mangnetic field event phenomena : a current research analysis (pp. 772-797). Paris: CERN.

CHAPTER (pp. 369-383) with THREE AUTHORS:

Forgas, J. P., Burnham, D. K., & Trimboli, C. (1991). Mood, memory and social judgments in children. In K. M. McConkey, & N. W. Bond (Eds.), Readings in Australian psychology (pp. 369-383). Sydney: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

 

 

 

Journal Articles

List the following details, in order:
  1. Author/s of article [surname, initials]
  2. Year of publication in parentheses ( ) [followed by a full stop]
  3. Title of article [followed by a full stop]
  4. Journal Name underlined or in italics [followed by a comma]
  5. Volume number underlined or in italics [followed by a comma if no issue number is given]
  6. Issue number in parentheses ( ) [only needed if issues are individually paginated] [followed by a comma]
  7. Page number(s) [followed by a full stop]

 

JOURNAL ARTICLES – Examples :

JOURNAL ARTICLE – with ONE AUTHOR:

Wilson, D. H. (2004). Inversion analysis techniques for barium ion quantum decay states as influenced by pulsed neutron exposures. Atomica and Energia, 28 (4), 101-143.

JOURNAL ARTICLE – with TWO AUTHORS:

Klimoski, R., & Palmer, S. (1993). The ADA and the hiring process in organisations. Consulting Psychology Journal : Practice and Research, 45 (2), 10-36.

JOURNAL ARTICLE – with THREE AUTHORS:

Bevers-Hastings, M., Smithers, T. D., & Andes, E. (2005). Comparative emotional responses of trainee OTs during extended rotations in regional Australia. Journal of Educational Research and Vocational Training, 45 (5), 147-161.

JOURNAL ARTICLE – with FOUR AUTHORS:

Dupoint, M., Watters, W., Uxbridge, S., & Kittersway, B. (2008). Domestic and household relationship patterns during the early decades of Marxism in the former USSR. Politcal and Historical Developments in Society, 11 (5), 334-345.

JOURNAL ARTICLE – with ONE AUTHOR but NO Volume or Issue Numbers – use the Date.

White, A. (2002, February 22). Rising $um Australian Doctor. 33-35

 

 

Newspaper Articles

List details as for journal articles, however for the date, use the year, then the month and day of issue.

Page number/s are placed at the end of the citation and preceded by "p." for a single page, or "pp." for more than one page.

Rifkin, J. (2000, July 25). Halt before we reap the whirlwind, Sydney Morning Herald, pp. 15, 17.

 

Conference Papers

List details as for chapters in books.

Thoms, M. C. & Swirepik, J. (1998). Environmental flow management in New South Wales, Australia. In H. Wheater & C. Kirby (Eds.), Hydrology in a changing environment: proceedings of the British Hydrological Society International Conference, (pp. 281-287). Chichester: Wiley.

Encyclopedias and dictionaries

To reference the books themselves:

Mitcham, C. (2005). Encyclopedia of science, technology and ethics (Vols. 1-4).  Detroit: Macmillan Reference

Note: any edition statement (eg 3rd ed.) would go first in the brackets with the volume statement - eg (3rd ed., Vols 1-22)
For major reference works with a large editorial board, you may use the lead editor and et al for the editor.

Ponzetti, J. J. et al. (Ed.). (2003). International encyclopedia of marriage and family (2nd ed., Vols 1-4).  New York: Macmillan Reference

To reference entries from an encyclopedia or dictionary:

Bergmann, P.G. (1993). Relativity. In The new encyclopedia britannica (Vol. 26, pp.501-508). Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica.  
(This example comes from Purdue Universities OWL resources at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/09/)

 

Non-book resources (mulitmedia)

Videos

List details as for book, and include the form of the item, e.g., videotape, after the title.

  1. Names of primary contributors (usually producer & director) (full stop)
  2. Year of production in parentheses (full stop)
  3. Title of video underlined or in italics
  4. Medium in square brackets, e.g. [Videotape] (full stop)
  5. Name and location of distributor in parentheses

Ducat, V. (producer). (1991). Waste not, want not [Videotape]. (Available from: Film Australia: Lindfield, NSW)

 

Television

Single episode from a television series

These can be difficult to reference, as the required information is often not available, but the following details should be listed if possible:

  1. Scriptwriter (surname & initials) (full stop)
  2. Year of production in parentheses (full stop)
  3. Title of episode
  4. Director's name followed by ,Director in parentheses (full stop)
  5. Producer's name preceded by "In" and followed by Producer in parentheses (comma)
  6. Title of series underlined or in italics (full stop)
  7. Place of production (colon)
  8. Production company (full stop)

Momberg, J. (Ed.). (1996). Other people's children. In V. Moncrieff (Producer), Four corners. Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Company.

A television broadcast

These also can be difficult as you may not have all the information.

  1. Producer or Executive Producer (surname & initials) (full stop)
  2. Year and day and month of broadcast in parentheses (full stop)
  3. Title followed by [Television broadcast] (full stop)
  4. Place of broadcast (colon)
  5. Name of broadcaster and/ Production company (full stop)

Sexton, M. (2002, December 5). Silent Flood [Television broadcast]. Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

 

 

Electronic resources

If your reference ends with the url, then do not put a full stop (or period) after the url.

 

An online book (ebook)

You need the same details as for a print book, plus the retrieval date and url.

Dhillon, G. (2002). Social responsibility in the information age: issues and controversies. Hershey, PA: Idea Group. Retrieved December 14,  2005, http://0-www.netlibrary.com.library.newcastle.edu.au/Details.aspx

 

Chapter in an online book (ebook)

Treat this as you would a chapter in a print book and then add the access date and url.

Chapman, S. & Dhillon, G.S. (2002).  'Privacy and the internet: the case of Double Click, Inc'. In G Dhillon Social responsibility in the information age: issues and controversies, (pp. 75-88).  Hershey, PA: Idea Group. Retreived December 14, 2005, http://0-www.netlibrary.com.library.newcastle.edu.au/Details.aspx

An online reference book.

Brenner, J.C. (2004). Galvanic skin response. In Forensic Science: an illustrated dictionary (g. p1). Retrieved August 16th, 2006 from CRCnetBASE:  http://0-www.forensicnetbase.com.library.newcastle.edu.au/ejournals/books/book_summary/summary.asp?id=1244 

Notice that I have put in the publication source here - CRCnetBASE - but in most cases you could delete this and simply use the url.

Online Journal Articles

List the following details, in order:

  1. Author(s) of article (surname and initials)
  2. Year of publication (in parentheses) (full stop)
  3. Title of article (full stop)
  4. Journal Name (underlined or in italics)
  5. Volume number (underlined or in italics) (comma if no issue is given)
  6. Issue number (in parentheses) (only needed if issues are individually paginated) (comma)
  7. Page numbers or indication of length (full stop)
  8. Retrieved month day, year (comma)
  9. Database name (if article found in a database) preceded by "from"
    or
  10. URL (if article not from a database) preceded by "from"

Full text journal article from database
Wrubel, R. (1998). Biotechnology: right or wrong? Bioscience, 48 (3), 210+. Retrieved March 9, 2000, from Expanded Academic ASAP database.

Journal article abstract from database
Bussing, R., Schoenberg, N. E., Rogers, K. M., Zima, B. T. & Angus, S. (1998). Explanatory models of ADHD: do they differ by ethnicity, child gender, or treatment status? Journal of Emotional & Behavioral Disorders, 6 (4), 233-242. Abstract retrieved July 28, 2000, from PsycINFO database.

Full text journal article from an electronic journal
van Breda, L. & Passenier, P. O. (1998). Effect of path prediction on navigational performance, Journal of Navigation, 51(2),216-228.RetrievedNovember10,1999fromhttp://www.journals.cup.org/bin/bladerunner?30REQEVENT=&REQAUTH=0&116000REQSUB==&REQSTR1=NAV

Web pages

List the following details, in order:

  1. Author(s) of page (full stop)
  2. Date of publication in parentheses (full stop)
  3. Title of page underlined or in italics (full stop)
  4. Retrieved month day, year (comma)
  5. URL preceded by 'from'

Perry, R. (1997). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Causes. Retrieved July 31, 2000, from http://www.nyspsych.org/cybercol/sept97/perry.html

Web pages with no author
Salinity in Western Australia - an introduction. (1999). Retrieved January 25, 2000, from http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/natural/trees/Salinity/salwa.htm

Web pages with no date
Strauss, S. (n.d.). Pilot fatigue. Retrieved July 31, 2000, from http://www.ozemail.com.au/~dxw/Pilot_Fatigue.htm

Online images

Line drawing
In the body of your assignment you need to acknowledge the image:

"The line drawing of the phoenix (Fotosearch, 2005), shows an aggressive, angry beast…"
This would be represented in your bibliography as:
Fotosearch [image] (2005). Retrieved December 8, 2005, http://www.fotosearch.com/ICL104/dec_018/

Explanation: On December 8 2005, the pheonix line drawing was on the front page of a web search page called Fotosearch, offering commercial and free images.

Similarly,
Photograph or advertisement
"The advertisement for alcohol, 'Heir to the throne' (A decade of failure:  2003) uses a common euphemism for toilets to…" This would be represented in your bibliography as:

A decade of failure: self-regulation  of alcohol advertising in Australia [image] (2003).  (fig 4). Retrieved December 8, 2005, http://www.ias.org.uk/publications/alert/05issue2/alert0502_p16.html  

Explanation: The photograph 'Heir to the throne' is figure 4 in the online alert page A decade of failure:… It has its own, separate url (http://www.ias.org.uk/images/alert0502-ad4.gif) So it is necessary in the bibliography to indicate which figure 'Heir to the throne' is, so as to make it possible to find the image.   If the image alone were referenced with it's unique url, the reader might never find the web page with the 'article'.


For more information regarding APA style, see: American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. 5th ed. Washington, DC: Author.

Return to APA main page OR go to APA In-text referencing page