Reference list

To construct the reference list at the end of your assignment, list all the sources you have acknowledged in in-text references, and arrange them alphabetically.

Note that every detail must be accurate including:

These details vary with the type of reference. Follow the examples below and in the APA referencing factsheets exactly. (There are reasons for all these conventions and variations.)

Basic rules

  • Book titles are italicised.

  • Titles of journal articles are not italicised.

  • Titles of journals are italicised.

  • Page numbers are given only for journal articles and chapters from edited books.

Here are examples of how to create reference list entries for the most common types of texts. For other types and more details, please consult your APA referencing factsheets.

1. Book

McInerney, D. & McInerney, V. (1998). Educational psychology: Constructing learning, Sydney Aust.: Prentice Hall.

2. Journal article

Connell, R. W. (1990), Curriculum and social justice, Queensland Teachers Union Professional Journal, 8, 7-11.

3. Chapter in an edited book

Holdaway, D. (1987), Real learning in classrooms, in Independent learners, J. Hancock & B. Comber (Eds.) North Ryde, Aust.: Methuen Australia (pp. 26-38).

4. Government publication

National Project on the Quality of Teaching and Learning (1996). National competency framework for beginning teaching. Leichhardt, Aust.: Australian Teaching Council.

(The ministry or agency issuing the report is regarded as the author)

5. Online references

Include the following information:

  • author’s name

  • date of publication or creation of information

  • title of work

  • online address

When referencing online sources, keep in mind this rule:

Your reference must enable your readers to find the material.

This means that your in-text reference must point your readers to the appropriate entry in the reference list, and that entry must show readers where to find the information for themselves.

< main menu < section index < back