THE APA DOCUME~TATION STYLE

Section 1. Mechanics of Style: Important tips for Academic Writing

Section 2. Citing References in Text
Section 3. Writing the Reference List

Put in block (single space) any long quotation of 40 words or more. Do not use quotation marks to
enclose quotations in block. Do not use double quotation marks to enclose any quoted material within a
block quotation.

Eg. AI-Edwan, Z., & Hamaidi, D (2011) made the following comments:

Knowledge-based economy is one of the key phrases that is used repeatedly in

the modem society, especially in the field of education policy discourse (Rinne,
2007). Knowledge-based economy; as a source of economy that depends on using,
implementing, creating, and producing knowledge that improve the quality of life
by using technology implications and human resources (Arabeyat, 2005); is one
of the new implemented trends in the field of education in Jordan. This topic resonates
to the global belief that 'knowledge economy' is the most important source of
economy in the 21 st century.
Single aces between

Use italics for the following:

• Titles of books
• Periodicals
• Films, Videos, TV Shows
• Microfilm Publications

Numbers

• Use numerals to express numbers 10 and above

E.g. 34 em wide 25 students io" grade students

(see APA Manual for exceptions)

• Use numbers to represent time, dates, ages, scores, points on a scale, exact sums of money
numerals.

E.g. 2hr 12 min. 12:00 p.m. 3-y-olds scored 3 on a 7-polnt scale

• Use numbers that denote a specific place in a numbered series, parts of a book and tables and
each number in a list of 4 or more numbers.
E.g. Grade 7{but the seventh grade} Table 3 Groups 5,6,7,8,9

Use words to express numbers that begins a sentence, title (not of book) or text heading,

and for common fractions

One work by one author: Author- Date

USE: Brown (2003) found that among participants early development of cognitive skills was
excellent

OR Early development of skills is dependent on geographical location (Brown, 2003).

One work by multiple authors for two authors cite both names at all times. For three or more
(up to five) authors cite all the first time then include only the surname of the first author
followed by et al.

Use:
.
Solomon, Taylor, and Lynn, {2008} found that ...

For subsequent citations USE: Solomon et al. found (year is omitted also)

Please note: E.g. Boys are usually early readers (Solomon, Taylor & Lynn, 2008).

The final name of an author when used in text must be written with the word (land". However,
in parenthetical citation, in tables and capttons, and in the reference list, the surname of the
last author is written using the ampersand (&) see example above.

When a work has six or more authors, cite only the surname of the first author followed by et
al, (not italicized and with a period after al)

For Classical Works

For very old works, cite the year of translation you used, with the prefix trans before the year.

E.g. (Aristotle, trans. 1930) If you know the original date you may use it accordingly:

Bronte (1844/1990)

Major classical works such as the Bible ,Qur'an , ancient Greek and Roman work (Plato,
Aristotle) do not have to be included in your reference, just cite in your text the version used.

E.g. James 4:1-12 (New International Version)

(Qur'an S:6-8)
Personal Communication- Cite this in the text only. Use as follows:

E.g. Abigail Smith( personal communication, April 7, 2000)

(Abigail Smith, personal communication, April 7, 2000)

The reference list is ordered alphabetically using the author's surname. If a book or article has
no author or editor or person responsible for the work, the title is used instead. The definite
and indefinite articles (A' and "Theil are usually not used to alphabetize when the begin the title
of a work. Sometimes organizations are authors and publishers.

According to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. (2DiD), the
following forms are acceptable:

Book with one author

o
Johnson, A. (200). A short guide to action research. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Note: If no year is given put (n.d.) where the year would be for each case!

If there is an editor/s treat as author e.g. Johnson, A. (Ed.). (2000)

Book with two authors

Davis, G. A., & Rimm, S. B. (1998). Education of the gifted and talented: Inspiring the child (3rd

ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and jacon

Note .lndentation from margin for second line and edition statement!

Book with up to 5 authors

Hunsaker, S.L., Abeel, D., & Callahan, CM. (1998). Title of work in italics, first letter of first word

ONLY capitalized. (ed. statement if any). Location: Publisher (name of company).

Note: For books with six or more authors use only first author followed by et al.

A Journal Article
Gupta, M., & Manjrekar, P. (2012). Using mobile learning to enhance quality in higher education. SIES
Journal of Management, 8(1), 23-30.
i.e. Author (year). Title of journal article upper and lower case. Title of journal, upper casebegins each
mportant words ttolicized, volume number itaticized, (issue number). page number range
If from a database with 001, USE:
Gupta, M., & Manjrekar, P. (2012). Using mpbile learning to enhance quality in higher education. SIES
Journal of Manogement, 8(1), 23-30.~oi:1O.xxxxxxxxxx
OR without 001:
Gupta, M., & Manjrekar, P. (2012). Using mobile learning to enhance quality in higher education. SIES
Journal of Management, 8(1), 23-30. Retrieved from http://www. Homepageurl
Newspaper Articles
Nelson, A. P. (2011, September 11). Lack of water affects health sector. The Sunday Gleaner, pp A1,
A3,A4-AS.
Online Newspaper Article
Nelson, A. P. (2011, September 11). Lack of water affects health sector. The Sunday Gleaner, pp A1, A3,
A4-AS. Retrieved from http://gleaner.newspaperarchive.col11/

EBook
Clarke, K., Whitmarsh, J., & Waller, T. (2011). Making sense of theory and practice in early childhood:
The power of ideas. Open University Press. Retrieved from http//:www.ebscohost.com/ehost/

Citation of a Web Page

Author, A. A. (Date of publication]. Title 0/ Page/Document. Retrieved from URL

E.g.: About.com. (2012). Representativeness heuristic - Psychology definition of the week. Retrieved
from http://psychology.about.com/

PLEASESEETHE APA PUBLICATION MANUAL FOR THOROUGH INFORMATION OR ALTERNATIVELY THEIR

WEBSITE AT www.apastyle.org/elecref.htmIFOR HELP

SOURCE:
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Prepared by
Charmaine R. Smith
Snr. Lec/Lib. 2012