A reference list is required in APA Style papers that include works cited in the text. The reference list allows readers to identify and locate the cited works.
The following example shows the proper format of an APA Style reference list.
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Reference list setup is covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Sections 2.12 and 9.43 to 9.49 and the Concise Guide Sections 1.12 and 9.42 to 9.48
Follow these directions for an APA Style reference list:
Start the reference list on a new page after the text.
Write the label “References” at the top of the page in bold and centered.
- Do not use the labels “Works Cited,” “Bibliography,” or “Reference List.”
- If the reference list includes only one reference, it is okay to use the label “Reference” (singular).
Type each reference as a single paragraph, justified to the left margin.
Alphabetize references according to the first word of the reference (usually the last name of the first author).
Follow additional guidelines to alphabetize works
- with the same authors and same publication date
- that would shorten to the same “et al.” form
- by different authors with the same surname
When a work has no author, the title is the first element of the reference, and so the reference is alphabetized by the title.
Apply a 0.5-in. hanging indent to the whole reference list, which keeps the first line of each reference flush left and indents any subsequent lines 0.5 in.
Double-space the whole reference list. Do not add extra space between references.
A reference that begins near the end of a page can carry over to the next page—let your word-processing software automatically handle things like paragraph and line breaks.
DOIs and URLs can be either blue and underlined (i.e., the default setting for hyperlinks) or plain text that is not underlined.
Double-check that all the works cited in the text are included in the reference list.
- Add any missing references to the reference list.
- Exceptions: Personal communications, which cannot be retrieved, are cited in the text only; likewise, general mentions of websites require a link in the text only.
Double-check that all the works in the reference list are cited in the text.
- If a work is not cited, either add information from the work and cite it, or delete the reference from the list.
- Exception: References in a meta-analysis do not require in-text citations (although you can cite them if desired).
Ensure page numbers display on every page of the paper in the top right corner, including on all pages of the reference list.