How Do I APA Format an Eric Document for a Reference List?

Author's Name

• The author's name should be positioned at the beginning of your citation. In APA style, the author's last name is listed first, followed by a comma. Then the author's first initial is listed. If a middle initial is given, position this after the author's first initial. For example: Skinner, B.F.

  If the document is authored by an organization instead of an individual, list the full name of the organization, followed by a period.

Date of Publication

• According to APA format, you should list the year of publication after the author's name when citing an ERIC document. The year of publication should be enclosed in parentheses, and followed by a period. For example: (2010).

  If for some reason there is no year of publication listed, use "n.d." For example: (n.d.).

Document Title

• The title of the ERIC document should be the third piece of information listed. The full title should be listed, followed by a period. According to APA style, only the first letter of the title should be capitalized. If there is a subtitle, capitalize the first letter of the subtitle as well. You must also capitalize any proper nouns that appear in the document title and subtitle. If there is a subtitle, separate the title and subtitle with a colon. For example: Many dragons, a single flame: The basis of Chinese educational reform.

Report Number

• If the ERIC document contains a report number, it should be listed after the document title. Place the report number in parentheses, followed by a period. For example: (Report No.EBDB-76-67).

  If no report number is listed on the document resume sheet, then you do not need to list one in your citation.

Publisher Information

• List the city and state in which the publisher is located. Use the postal abbreviation for the name of the state. The city and state should be separated by a comma. Place a colon after the state abbreviation. Then list the name of the publisher, followed by a period. For example: Orono, ME: Maine Educational Center.

  If no publisher information is listed for the document, simply omit this information from your citation.

ERIC Document Number

• Each ERIC document is assigned a unique number, and this should be included in your citation after the publisher information. The number should be listed in parentheses, with specific phrasing. For example: (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED698453).

  If you are citing an ERIC document that you accessed on microfiche, the ERIC document number is the last piece of information you must cite.

Date of Access and Database

• If you accessed the ERIC document online, you must also list the date on which you accessed the document, as well as the database you used to access the document. When listing dates of access, use a month-day-year format. You must use specific phrasing and punctuation, in accordance with APA style. For example: Retrieved July 9, 1980, from ERIC database.

  This is the last piece of information that you need to cite.

Finished Citation Format

• If you are citing an ERIC document accessed on the Internet, your finished citation should appear in the following general format: Author. (Year). Title of document. (Report Number). City, State: Publisher. (ERIC Document Number). Date of Access and Database.

  For example: Smith, A. B. (2010). Many dragons, a single flame: The basis of Chinese educational reform. (Report No.EBDB-76-67). Orono, ME: Maine Educational Center. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED698453). Retrieved July 9, 1980, from ERIC database.

  If you are citing an ERIC document that you accessed on microfiche, simply omit the date of access and database information.