When it comes to academic writing, the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is a commonly used format. Whether you’re writing a research paper, essay, or thesis, one of the key elements of your work is the “Works Cited” or “References” page. This page lists all the sources you’ve used throughout your work, making it crucial to avoid common mistakes that can harm the credibility of your research. Let’s break down the most common errors and how to avoid them.
Misunderstanding the Basics of APA Formatting
APA style has specific guidelines for how citations should appear in the reference list. It follows a particular structure where the author’s name comes first, followed by the publication year, title, and source. Deviating from this structure is one of the most frequent errors students make. APA emphasizes consistency, so you must ensure that all entries follow the same structure without any deviation.
Inconsistent Citation Styles
One of the biggest mistakes in the APA works cited page is blending different citation styles. For example, you might start with APA but end up throwing in some MLA or Chicago elements, especially if you’re using different citation generators.
Mixing APA with Other Styles
Mixing APA with MLA or Chicago is a frequent mistake, and it often happens unintentionally. Pay close attention to the style you are required to use and double-check each citation to ensure it’s consistently APA throughout.
Incorrect Formatting of Book, Journal, and Website Citations
Book titles in APA are italicized, and only the first word of the title is capitalized unless it’s a proper noun. The same rule applies to journal articles, but journal names themselves are capitalized and italicized.
Forgetting to Include All Sources
Another common mistake is failing to cite all the sources you’ve referred to in your paper. Some students mistakenly believe that they only need to cite direct quotes. However, APA requires you to cite any source that has influenced your paper, even if you’ve only paraphrased the ideas.
Citing Only Quoted Sources
It’s not enough to cite just the sources you quote directly. You must also include citations for paraphrased or summarized material, as these still draw on someone else’s work.
Overlooking Paraphrased or Summarized Content
Even if you put an idea in your own words, you still need to cite the source. Failure to do so can lead to plagiarism.
Failing to Alphabetize the Works Cited List
Your reference list must be in alphabetical order by the last name of the first author. Skipping this step can make your works cited page look unorganized and unprofessional.
The Importance of Alphabetical Order
Organizing sources alphabetically ensures clarity and makes it easier for readers to locate the sources you’ve referenced in your text. It’s a simple, but crucial, part of APA style.
How to Correctly Alphabetize by Authors’ Last Names
When alphabetizing, start with the last name of the first author listed. If there are multiple authors, follow the order listed in the source. In cases where there is no author, alphabetize by the title of the work.
Incorrectly Formatting Author Names
Getting the author’s name wrong is a common issue. In APA, the author’s last name is listed first, followed by their initials. When there are multiple authors, their names should be separated by commas, with an ampersand (&) before the final name.
Multiple Authors
If a source has two to 20 authors, all should be listed. However, if a source has more than 20 authors, list the first 19, followed by an ellipsis, and then the last author’s name.
Citing Corporate Authors or Organizations
Sometimes the author is a corporate body or organization. In this case, use the name of the organization in place of the author. Be sure not to abbreviate unless it’s a widely recognized acronym like WHO (World Health Organization).
Misusing Capitalization in Titles
In APA, only the first word of the title and subtitle, as well as proper nouns, should be capitalized. Other words remain lowercase.
APA Title Case Rules
When writing titles, capitalize the first word, any proper nouns, and any word following a colon or dash. Everything else should be lowercase unless it’s a proper noun.
Common Capitalization Mistakes
A common mistake is capitalizing every word in a title, which follows MLA or Chicago formatting rules but is incorrect in APA.
Incorrect Use of Italics
Italics are important in APA citations and are used to differentiate between various types of sources.
When to Use Italics in APA Citations
Italicize the titles of books, journals, and periodicals. Do not italicize the titles of journal articles or webpages. This is one of the most frequently missed details in APA formatting.
Italics for Titles of Books and Periodicals
Ensure that you italicize book titles, journal titles, and periodicals, while keeping journal article titles in regular typeface.
Improper Use of Punctuation
Punctuation in APA citations can be tricky. Common mistakes include misplacing periods and commas, or leaving them out entirely.
Missing Commas and Periods
Make sure to place periods after the author’s initials, between parts of the citation, and at the end of each citation. Commas should separate elements like author names and publication years.
Misplacement of Periods and Commas in Citation Entries
One typical error is placing periods or commas outside quotation marks or italics. In APA, punctuation is a precise part of the formatting.
Neglecting DOI and URL Links
Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) are a critical part of APA citations, especially for journal articles. They provide a permanent link to the content. Failing to include DOIs or URLs for online sources is a major mistake.
APA Rules on DOIs and URLs
If an article has a DOI, include it in the citation. If it does not, and you accessed it online, include the URL.
When and Where to Include DOI/URL in Citations
DOIs or URLs should come at the end of the citation. Always start with “https://” to ensure proper APA formatting.
Including Unnecessary Information
Including too much information can make your citation look cluttered. For example, APA no longer requires retrieval dates for most online sources unless the content is likely to change (like wikis or news articles).
Avoiding Extra Details Like Retrieval Dates
Avoid adding retrieval dates unless the source is likely to be updated over time, such as webpages that change regularly.
Only Including Relevant Publication Information
Stick to the necessary details: author, date, title, and source. Avoid adding unnecessary elements like page numbers for non-journal sources.
Improper Formatting of Electronic Sources
Citing websites and online journals can be confusing. One common mistake is treating them like print sources when they should follow specific online citation rules.
Website Citation Rules
Cite websites by providing the author (if available), date, title of the page, website name, and the URL. Do not include “Retrieved from” unless the content is likely to change.
Mistakes in Citing Online Journal Articles
Always include the DOI if it’s available. If no DOI is present, provide the URL of the journal or publisher.
Overlooking Hanging Indents
APA formatting requires hanging indents for all citations. This is where the first line of each citation is aligned to the left, and all subsequent lines are indented.
Why Hanging Indents Are Important
Hanging indents help make your reference page more readable. They allow the reader to easily distinguish between different citations.
How to Properly Apply Hanging Indents in Word Processing Tools
In word processing programs like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, you can create a hanging indent by adjusting the paragraph formatting settings. This ensures all citations are properly aligned.
Failing to Double-Check the Entire Page
Finally, failing to proofread your entire works cited page is a significant error. Many students rely too heavily on citation generators without verifying that the format is correct.
Importance of Proofreading
Always double-check the formatting of your citations manually. Citation generators can make mistakes, especially with electronic sources.
Using Citation Generators Wisely
While citation generators can be helpful, they aren’t always perfect. It’s essential to review each citation for accuracy and consistency.
Conclusion
Creating a flawless APA works cited page is a task that requires attention to detail. By avoiding these common mistakes—such as inconsistent formatting, improper author name listings, and neglecting DOIs or URLs—you can create a well-organized and professional works cited page that enhances your overall academic work. Take the time to carefully follow APA guidelines, and you’ll significantly reduce the risk of citation errors.
FAQs
1. Why is it important to cite paraphrased sources?
Citing paraphrased sources ensures you give credit for ideas that aren’t your own, helping to avoid plagiarism.
2. What is the difference between APA and MLA formatting?
APA focuses on author-date citations, while MLA emphasizes the author-page number format. They also differ in how sources are listed.
3. How can I quickly create hanging indents?
In most word processors, you can create a hanging indent by adjusting paragraph settings. In Word, use the “Special” dropdown under “Indents.”
4. What should I do if a source doesn’t have an author?
If no author is available, start the citation with the title of the source.
5. Should I use citation generators?
Citation generators can be helpful, but always double-check the results to ensure they follow the latest APA guidelines.
