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APA Referencing and Plagiarism: Reference List

This Guide will help you to correctly reference your assignments using the APA style.

Requirements

  • The list of references is created on a separate page
  • The heading is centred at the top of the page and is titled References.
  • Arrange entries by in alphabetical order according to the surname of the author followed by the author's initials. If there is no author, list according to the first main word of the title.
  • Use hanging indents (1.25 cm) for each reference, meaning that the first line of each reference is left margin aligned and subsequent lines are indented.
  • Emphasise main titles in italics
  • Double space all reference entries.
  • Do not include personal communications such as private letters, telephone conversations, emails etc. Cite these references in text only.

  • Date of retrieval is not  usually required for web sources unless they are likely to change over time (e.g. wikis).
  • If there is no publication date, use the copyright date of the work if available.
  • When a work is not dated it is noted as (n.d.) as in no date.
  • Maintain the order of authors’ surnames as they are expressed in the source material. 

Using italics in APA can be a little confusing.  

The key thing to remember is that where there are two titles in the reference (e.g. a journal title and an article title, or a book title and a book chapter title, you must italicise the title of the main source (i.e. the journal title or book title)

For example:

Saunders, A. (2009). Lessons learned: Planning for post-disaster recovery and  reconstruction, The Australasian Journal of Trauma Studies, 2(4), 245-263.

Grant, K. (2011). A framework for thinking about technology pedagogy. In M. Beverly (Ed.), Technology for children: New trends in research. (pp. 87-103). Jossey-Bass.

Reference List Example

REFERENCES

American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.).

Butler, G. (2023, September 16). Hazard burns could be fuelling the fire danger:  Indigenous practices offer another way. SBS News. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/hazard-burns-could-be-fuelling-the-fire-danger-indigenous-practices-offer-another-way/pevprmc3f

Chapman River estuary. [Photo].  (n.d.).  City of Greater Geraldton. Retrieved September 19, 2023, from https://www.cgg.wa.gov.au/residents/community-engagement/current-community-engagement-activities/chapman-river-estuary-action-plan.aspx

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Obesity.  In Britannica Academic. Retrieved September 19, 2023, from https://academic.eb.com/levels/collegiate/article/obesity/56643

Harvey, J. (2008). Principles of refrigeration (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

MacKenzie, D. (2006, June 3). Putting a face to a skull. New Scientist, 190(2554), 26-27.

Moore, T.L., & Syed, R. (2023). Viruses that cause arthritis. UpToDate. Retrieved September 19, 2023, from  https://www-uptodate-com.elogin05.dtwd.wa.gov.au

Morton, S.R., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Lindenmayer, D. B., Olson, M. H., Hughes, l., McCulloch, M.T., McIntyre, S., Nix, H.A., Prober, S.M., Saunders, D.A., Andersen, A.N., Burgman, M.A., Lefroy, E.C., Lonsdale, W.M., McMichael, A.J., Parslow, J.S., Steffen, W., Williams, J.E., & Woinarski, J.C.Z. (2009). The big ecological questions inhibiting effective environmental management in Australia. Austral Ecology, 34(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.2008.01938.x

Western Australia. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. (2023). Leafy sea dragon. https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/wildlife-and-ecosystems/marine/marine-parks/fun-facts/leafy-sea-dragon

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