When citing online sources in APA style, it's essential to follow specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. The American Psychological Association (APA) provides detailed rules for citing online sources, which can be overwhelming for some writers. In this article, we'll break down the simplified rules for citing online sources in APA style, making it easier for you to navigate the process.
Understanding the Basics of APA Citation Style
The APA citation style is widely used in social sciences, education, and business. The style guide provides rules for citing various sources, including online sources, to maintain consistency and credibility in academic writing. When citing online sources, you’ll need to consider the type of source, its authorship, publication date, and URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier).
Types of Online Sources
Online sources can be categorized into several types, including:
- Online articles and blogs
- Aademic journals and databases
- Books and e-books
- Government reports and websites
- Social media and online forums
Each type of online source requires a specific citation format, which we’ll discuss below.
Citing Online Articles and Blogs
When citing online articles and blogs, you’ll need to include the author’s name, publication date, title of the article, and URL or DOI. The general format is:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day of publication). Title of the article. Title of the Publication. URL or DOI
For example:
Smith, J. (2022, February 10). The impact of social media on mental health. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/10/health/social-media-mental-health.html
Citing Academic Journals and Databases
When citing academic journals and databases, you’ll need to include the author’s name, publication date, title of the article, title of the journal, volume and issue numbers, and page numbers. The general format is:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, Volume(Issue), pp-pp. URL or DOI
For example:
Johnson, K. (2020). The effects of climate change on global food systems. Journal of Environmental Studies, 10(2), 12-20. https://doi.org/10.1037/env0000321
Citing Books and E-books
When citing books and e-books, you’ll need to include the author’s name, publication date, title of the book, and URL or DOI. The general format is:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the book. Publisher. URL or DOI
For example:
Williams, P. (2019). The impact of technology on society. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324⁄9780429029451
Citing Government Reports and Websites
When citing government reports and websites, you’ll need to include the author’s name, publication date, title of the report or webpage, and URL. The general format is:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the report or webpage. Retrieved from URL
For example:
United States Census Bureau. (2020). Population estimates. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest.html
Citing Social Media and Online Forums
When citing social media and online forums, you’ll need to include the author’s name, publication date, title of the post or comment, and URL. The general format is:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day of publication). Title of the post or comment. Name of the social media platform. URL
For example:
Jones, M. (2022, January 15). The importance of mental health awareness. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/mjones/posts/1234567890
| Type of Online Source | Example Citation |
|---|---|
| Online article | Smith, J. (2022, February 10). The impact of social media on mental health. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/10/health/social-media-mental-health.html |
| Academic journal | Johnson, K. (2020). The effects of climate change on global food systems. Journal of Environmental Studies, 10(2), 12-20. https://doi.org/10.1037/env0000321 |
| Book or e-book | Williams, P. (2019). The impact of technology on society. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429029451 |
| Government report or website | United States Census Bureau. (2020). Population estimates. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest.html |
| Social media or online forum | Jones, M. (2022, January 15). The importance of mental health awareness. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/mjones/posts/1234567890 |
What is the difference between a URL and a DOI?
+A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the web address of a source, while a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a unique identifier assigned to a digital source. When possible, use the DOI instead of the URL.
How do I cite an online source with no author?
+If an online source has no author, use the title of the source in the citation, and include the publication date and URL or DOI. For example: (Title of the source, 2022, https://www.example.com).
Can I use online sources with no publication date?
+If an online source has no publication date, use the abbreviation “n.d.” (no date) in the citation. For example: (Author, n.d., https://www.example.com).
