General Guidelines
* Consistency: Use a single style guide (like APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) consistently throughout your references list.
* Alphabetical Order: References are typically listed alphabetically by the first author's last name (or by title if there's no author).
* Hanging Indentation: The first line of each reference is flush left, while subsequent lines are indented. This makes the list easier to read.
* Complete Information: Each reference should include all necessary information for the reader to find the source.
Common Reference Styles
Here's a look at the general formats for common citation styles:
1. APA (American Psychological Association)
* Journal Article:
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. *Journal Title*, *Volume Number*, *Issue Number*, page numbers. https://doi.org/xxxxxxxxx
* Book:
Author, A. A. (Year). *Title of book*. Publisher.
* Website:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). *Title of webpage*. Name of website. Retrieved from URL
2. MLA (Modern Language Association)
* Journal Article:
Author. "Title of Article." *Title of Journal* Volume.Number (Year): page numbers.
* Book:
Author. *Title of Book*. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year.
* Website:
Author. "Title of Page." *Name of Website*. Date of Publication/Revision. Web. Date Accessed.
3. Chicago
* Journal Article:
Author. "Title of Article." *Title of Journal* (Volume Number, Issue Number, Year): page numbers.
* Book:
Author. *Title of Book*. City of Publication: Publisher, Year.
* Website:
Author. "Title of Page." Name of Website. URL. Accessed Date.
Example References (APA Style)
Journal Article
* Smith, J. D., & Jones, A. B. (2023). The impact of technology on student learning. *Educational Psychology Review*, *45*(3), 456-472. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-022-09745-8
Book
* Brown, L. (2022). *The history of the American novel*. Oxford University Press.
Website
* World Health Organization. (2023, June 12). *COVID-19 pandemic*. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2020-DON385
Tips for a Clean References List
* Use a consistent format for titles (e.g., italics for book titles, quotation marks for article titles).
* Ensure all elements are included in the correct order.
* Be precise with dates, volume numbers, and page numbers.
* If you're using a citation manager, verify that it's generating accurate references in your chosen style.
Remember: Consult your specific style guide or course instructions for detailed formatting requirements.