Articles are found in journals, magazines, and newspapers. However, it can be confusing to find articles because journals and magazines are also called periodicals. During your studies you will be accessing electronic and print articles. The most difficult task when citing articles is establishing what type and format you are using.
Journals are generally scholarly (often referred to as academic or peer-reviewed), and magazines are commonly more for general use.
If a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is listed on either a print or an electronic source, it must be included in the reference list. A DOI is a unique alphanumeric code that identifies a certain source. It may be presented as a number with decimals and slashes or it may be presented as a URL.
Example:
87.1678/16076320414622005
https://doi.org/10.1177/02109395241298359
The DOI is commonly found on the first page of an article. For more information on DOIs and where to locate a DOI on a source, see pages 298 of the APA Manual.
The DOI flow chart created by APA staff is very useful. To learn more about DOIs see the tutorial video created by APA.
Citation Format
Format for an Article from an Online Journal
The most difficult component of citing articles is knowing exactly the type of article you are using. You will find articles:
NOTE: there is a distinct difference between an article you are using from a Library database and that from an online journal available through the Internet. If you are unsure, ask the staff at the Reference Desk.
Reminder
When an article has no DOI add the URL of its home page <no period> after the article page numbers; alternatively, add the database name <period>. If citing from an electronic database, use “Retrieved from name of database” for a database that is freely available to anyone. Use “Available from name of database” if the database is by subscription only.
Some databases do not provide DOIs. If the article you are citing does not include a DOI, provide the home page URL of the journal. If you are accessing the article from a library database, you will need to do a web search to locate the URL. You do not have to include the name of the database in the citation.
If there is no DOI provided, try searching CrossRef.org, a free DOI lookup.
Journal article: Retrieved online with digital object identifier (DOI)
(Example on p. 198, #1 of the APA Manual )
Example:
Corral, R. (2024). Complexity and psychology. Studies in Psychology, 45(2–3), 239–250.
https://doi.org/10.1177/02109395241298359
Direct quotation in text:
(Corral, 2024, p. 238)
Journal article: Retrieved online with no DOI: Give URL of the journal home page (even if retrieved from a database) (p. 199 #3)
Example:
Matthews, M.M., Johnson, R., & Paine, S. (2012). Heart aware for Canadian women.
Health Care for Canadian Women, 12, 18-26. http://www.map.ab.ca/journals/titles/85748390.asp
Citation in text:
(Matthews, Johnson, & Paine, 2012)
The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University offers an online resource which can be used in some cases. However, it does not include everything required for citing sources in one place.
The APA citation style does not cover Canadian government sources, and has only a limited section on American government resources.
Please refer to the staff at the Library Reference Desk for clarification when citing Canadian government sources.