Citation Explained Module 3: The Reference List

Citation Explained

Introduction

Module 1
Background

Module 2
In-Text Citing

Module 3
The Reference List

Module 4
Making It Easier

Module 3 - The Reference List

Introduction

The reference list is the bibliography at the end of your paper where you tell the reader how to find the sources to which you referred in the paper. The sources on the reference list must match the sources in your in-text citations.

Together we'll go through creating a citation using four examples. We've focused mainly on electronic resources, and we've selected examples from formats that we think you will encounter most often in your research at UMUC:

1. an article you found in one of the library's more than 100 databases.

2. an article received electronically through DocumentExpress or that you photocopied from a print library collection.

3. a chapter from a book. This selection is from an e-book but an example for a print book would be the same except that the last part of the citation, indicating when and where the e-book was retrieved, would be omitted.

4. a Web site located on the free Web.

Obviously each of these categories has many permutations, and there are other types of material you may need to cite as well. For example, you may use information from government documents, proceedings, videos, etc. Consult the VAIL Citation Examples: APA and MLA Styles or Citing Electronic Resources - APA and MLA styles for information on how to cite in these less common situations. If you don't find what you need there, additional examples are available in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th edition.

Some General Tips to Keep in Mind

When using APA style, remember to:

type the first line of the citation at the left margin; all other lines should be indented five spaces (use a hanging indent).
double-space the entire reference list. Alternately, you can single space the references and double space between references.
italicize the title of a book or a journal, regardless of whether it is in print or available electronically.
alphabetize entries letter by letter in your reference list at the end of your paper.
use the author's first initial, never the entire first name.
think of an electronic source as having two parts. Format the first part as though it were a print source and then add the subscription database or Web page information with the date you accessed it.