APA referencing is the author–date citation style of the American Psychological Association, now in its 7th edition. You cite sources in the text with the author surname and year, such as (Smith, 2020), and list full details alphabetically on a References page at the end. UK courses in psychology, education, nursing and the social sciences use APA referencing as standard.
Key takeaways
- APA stands for the American Psychological Association; the current version is APA 7.
- In-text citations are author–date: (Smith, 2020) or Smith (2020).
- Add a page number for direct quotes: (Smith, 2020, p. 15).
- Full sources go on a References page, alphabetical with a hanging indent.
- Use an ampersand (&) before the last author inside brackets.
What is APA referencing?
APA referencing is the author–date system created by the American Psychological Association for the social and behavioural sciences. It links a short in-text citation to a full entry on the References page so readers can find each source. Its emphasis on the year of publication suits subjects where recency of evidence matters.
How do APA in-text citations work?
Give the author surname and year. Use brackets when the citation is not part of the sentence: (Brown, 2021). When you name the author, put only the year in brackets: Brown (2021). For a direct quote, add the page: (Brown, 2021, p. 42). For two authors use & in brackets; for three or more use the first author plus “et al.”
How do you format an APA References entry?
- Journal article: Smith, J. (2020). Memory and learning. Journal of Psychology, 45(2), 110–125. https://doi.org/10.xxxx
- Book: Brown, A. (2019). Educational theory (3rd ed.). Routledge.
- Website: NHS. (2023, March 4). Mental health. https://www.nhs.uk
Quick APA referencing examples
| Source | References format |
|---|---|
| Journal | Smith, J. (2020). Memory and learning. Journal of Psychology, 45(2), 110–125. |
| Book | Brown, A. (2019). Educational theory (3rd ed.). Routledge. |
| Website | NHS. (2023, March 4). Mental health. https://www.nhs.uk |
APA References vs bibliography: what is the difference?
APA uses a References page that lists only the sources you cited in the text. A bibliography may also include background reading. Unless your tutor asks for an annotated bibliography, use a References page in APA.
Common APA referencing mistakes to avoid
- Writing “and” instead of “&” inside brackets.
- Omitting the year, which is essential in author–date styles.
- Listing all authors when three or more should be “et al.” in text.
- Calling the list a “Bibliography” instead of “References”.
For broader help, see our guides on how to write an essay and how to write coursework, and the official rules at APA Style. For hands-on support, Projectsdeal offers an essay writing service, psychology assignment help and a dissertation editing service.
Narrative vs Parenthetical Citations in APA
APA gives you two ways to cite in-text, and using both makes your writing flow better. A parenthetical citation places author and year in brackets at the end of a sentence: (Smith, 2024). A narrative citation weaves the author into your sentence, with the year in brackets straight after the name: “Smith (2024) argues that…” Use narrative citations when the author or study is the focus of your point, and parenthetical ones when the idea matters more than who said it. For a direct quotation, add the page number in both styles, for example (Smith, 2024, p. 15).
Which Subjects Use APA in UK Universities?
APA is the house style for the social and behavioural sciences, so you are most likely to meet it in psychology, education, nursing and health sciences, sociology and many business and management courses. Other disciplines have their own conventions — law uses OSCOLA, many humanities subjects use MHRA or MLA, and the sciences often use Vancouver — so always confirm the required style in your module handbook before you start.
APA 6 or APA 7? Choosing Your Edition
APA 7, published in 2019, is now the current edition and the one most UK universities expect, though some departments still reference APA 6 in older handbooks. The differences affect in-text citations for three or more authors, the removal of the publisher location, and how DOIs are presented, among other changes. Confirm which edition your course requires, and if it is the latest version, see our dedicated How to Reference APA 7 guide for the full set of updated rules and examples. When in doubt, apply APA 7 and stay consistent throughout your work.
Frequently asked questions about APA referencing
Is APA referencing author-date or numbered?
APA referencing is author–date. You cite the author surname and year in the text, and list sources alphabetically on the References page.
What subjects use APA referencing?
APA referencing is used mainly in psychology, education, nursing, sociology and other social and behavioural sciences.
Which APA edition should I use?
Use APA 7th edition unless your university specifies otherwise, as it is the current version of APA referencing.
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