You do not need to include in-text citations or entries in your reference list for commonly known software, programming languages, mobile apps or social media, where you are not paraphrasing or quoting from them. If you have used common software then you need to simply give the proper name along with the version number (if applicable) within the body of your text .
In-text Citations: Follow standard Author/Year format - For further guidance see the In-Text Citations page
Further guidance
Guidance on Software and Mobile Apps is covered in section 10.10 of the APA Manual.
Guidance on Data Sets can be found in section 10.9 of the APA Manual with further guidance on the APA Blog
Guidance on Social Media can be found in Section 10.15 of the APA manual and on their APA Blog (under Online Media)
Copies of the APA Publication Manual are held in the Faculty Library - Check iDiscover for availability.
When to cite social media posts
Cite only original content from social media sites, if you have discovered a link to external content such as an article or blog post, cite the original source itself with no need to acknowledge the social media cite as the location where you found the link.
No in-text citations or entry in your reference list are needed when mentioning a social media site in general, e.g
The Education Faculty Library uses Twitter (https://twitter.com/edfaclib) to keep library users up to date with services and news.
Content of social media posts
Spelling and punctuation is often nonstandard, however do not alter this and cite as it is in the post itself.
Replicate any emojis where you can, if not provide the emoji name in square brackets. e.g. [grinning face] (full list of emojis available here: https://unicode.org/emoji/charts/full-emoji-list.html)
Social media posts may contain text only, text with audiovisuals or audiovisuals alone.Include the text of any post (first 20 words only) and then add a description of any audiovisual material in square brackets after the text of the post.
Title information = Text of post up to 20 words. / Text of post up to 20 words [description of audiovisuals]. / [Description of audiovisuals].
Date of posts
Provide the most detailed format of the date as you can in the reference list - (Year, Month day).
In-text citations follow the standard author/Year format.
Retrieval date
For posts that can not be edited such as tweets, there is no need to include your retrieval date, although for Facebook and Instagram posts that can be edited, you will need to include a retrieval date in your reference list
*Please note the date formats:
Private social media pages/profiles
If a person has *Not agreed* to be identified as a source, do not provide the name, instead secure confidentiality by using pseudonyms and disguising identifying material. Further information can be found on the APA Blog
Because content from private or friends-only social media profiles are not retrievable by everyone, you must obtain permission to cite any material or include a copy of the discussion in your appendix
How to reference...
Include the [@username] after the author or group name.
Content of post = Text of post up to 20 words. [Description of audiovisuals].
Description of audiovisuals = [Image attached] [Thumbnail with link] [Infographic] etc
Date of tweets: Provide the most detailed format of the date as you can in the reference list - (Year, Month day).
In-text citations follow the standard author/Year format.
Individual tweets
Author, INITIALS [@username]. (year, Month day). Content of post (if any text) [Description of audiovisuals] [Tweet]. Twitter. URL
Name of group [@username].(year, Month day). Content of post (if any text) [Description of audiovisuals] [Tweet]. Twitter. URL
Education Library [@edfaclib].(2021, March 17). Referencing sending you round in circles? You @CamEdFac Library Team can help! Take a look at our referencing guide (including [Gif included] [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/edfaclib/status/1372111212826169344?s=20
Twitter profile
Retrieval date: Provide a retrieval date as the contents of the page will change over time.
Date element: No date in included in the date element and in-text citations use (n.d.)
Author, INITIALS [@username]. (n.d.). Tweets [Twitter profile] Twitter. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
Name of group [@username]. (n.d.).Tweets [Twitter profile] Twitter. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
Education Library [@edfaclib]. (n.d.).Tweets [Twitter profile] Twitter. Retrieved September 1, 2021, from https://twitter.com/edfaclib
In-text Citations
Follow standard Author/Year format. For further guidance see the In-Text Citations page
Author: Include the [@unsername] after the author or group name.
Content of post = Text of post up to 20 words [description of audiovisuals]. / [Description of audiovisuals].
Description of audiovisuals = [Photographs] [Instagram Story] [Infographic] [Video] etc
Date of posts: Provide the most detailed format of the date as you can in the reference list - (Year, Month day).
In-text citations follow the standard author/Year format.
Individual Instagram Post
Author, INITIALS [@username]. (year, Month day). Content of post (if any text) [Description of audiovisuals]. Instagram. URL
Name of group [@username].(year, Month day). Content of post (if any text) [Description of audiovisuals] Instagram. URL
Education Library [@edfaclib].(2021, August 18).Did you know that the Education Library has children's books you can use to aid your teaching? We even have [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/CStav7TNgTd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Instagram Story
Retrieval date: Provide a retrieval date as content can change
Date element: No date in included in the date element and in-text citations use (n.d.)
URL: For long and complex URLs you can use a shortened form using bitly etc. Either the long or short form of a URL is acceptable.
Author, INITIALS [@username]. (year, Month day). Title of story [Instagram Story]. Instagram. URL
Name of group [@username].(year, Month day). Content of post (if any text) [Description of audiovisuals] Instagram. Retrieved Month day, Year, from URL
Sir Cam’s Cambridge Diary [@camdiary]. (n.d.). Books [Instagram Story]. Instagram. Retrieved September 1, 2021, from https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18144662512173863/
Instagram profile
Retrieval date: Provide a retrieval date as the contents of the page will change over time.
Date element: No date in included in the date element and in-text citations use (n.d.)
Author, INITIALS [@username]. Instagram posts [Instagram profile] Instagram. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
Name of group [@username]. Instagram posts [Instagram profile] Instagram. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
Education Library [@edfaclib]. Instagram posts [Instagram profile] Instagram Retrieved September 1, 2021, from https://www.instagram.com/edfaclib/
In-text Citations
Follow standard Author/Year format. For further guidance see the In-Text Citations page
Content of post = Text of post up to 20 words. / Text of post up to 20 words [description of audiovisuals]. / [Description of audiovisuals].
Description of audiovisuals = Sharing ocontent: [Image attached] [Thumbnail with link] or Status updates [Infographic] [Photo] etc etc
Date of posts: Provide the most detailed format of the date as you can in the reference list - (Year, Month day).
In-text citations follow the standard author/Year format.
Individual Posts
Author, INITIALS. (Year, Month day). Content of post (if any text) [Description of audiovisuals]. Facebook. URL
Name of group. (Year, Month day). Content of post (if any text) [Description of audiovisuals]. Facebook. URL
Facebook Page
Retrieval date: Provide a retrieval date as the contents of the page will change over time.
Date element: No date in included in the date element and in-text citations use (n.d.)
Title: Use the relevant title from the page, i.e Timeline, Home, About, Photos
Author, INITIALS. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]..Facebook. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
Name of group. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]..Facebook. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
In-text Citations
Follow standard Author/Year format. For further guidance see the In-Text Citations page
Posts from Online Forums
Author: Include author's full name if available followed by [@username]
Date of posts: Provide the most detailed format of the date as you can in the reference list - (Year, Month day).
In-text citations follow the standard author/Year format.
Surname, INITIALS [@Username]. (Year, Month day). Title of discussion thread [Description of the format eg Online forum comment/Electronic mailing list etc]. Title of forum/site . Retrieved from URL
Jakins, A [[@edteach] (2005, February 13). Complex needs and inclusion [Online forum post]. Reddit. https://reddit.com/comments/complexneeds
In-text Citations
Follow standard Author/Year format. For further guidance see the In-Text Citations page
Blog post
In-text: Standard Author/date format (only need the year)
Reference list:
Surname, INITIALS. (Year, Month Date Published). Title. Name of blog. URL
Surname/Institution, INITIALS. (Year, Month Date Published). Title. Name of blog. URL
Comment on a blog post
Include the person who left the comment as the author, using the format as it appears (either a real name or a username).
Provide the comment title or up to the first 20 words of the comment; then within square brackets add [Comment on the blog post "Title of blog post"]
Link to the comment itself if possible, otherwise, link to the blog post.
Reference list:
Surname, INITIALS. (Year, Month Date Published). Comment Title (or first 20 words). [Comment on the blog post "Title of blog post"]. Blog Title. URL
In-text Citations
Follow standard Author/Year format. For further guidance see the In-Text Citations page
YouTube video
**(For video clips on institutional websites please see guidance under Film, TV, Radio, Stage & Music section ).**
Author = the name of the account that uploaded the video, this can be a name or username.
To cite the words of individuals featured in a video, you need to name or describe the individual(s) in the body of your text. The citation will cite the author who uploaded the video.
If the account did not actually create the work, it is good practice to look for the original author’s YouTube channel, official website, or other social media to see whether the same video is available elsewhere. If you are unable to locate the original, you will need to explain this in the body of your text and cite as a secondary source (please see the Additional Guidance box).
Date = Provide the specific date on which the video was uploaded
Title = The title of the video should be in italics. Include the description [Video] in square brackets after the title (not in italics).
Provide the site name (YouTube) and URL of the video.
Account Name. (Year, Month Day). Video Title [Video]. Site name. URL
Zeteron. (2007, January 1). Zotero Intro [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq94aBrc0pY
Direct quotes:
If you are quoting from a YouTube video then you need to include the time stamp for any comments you use:
(Zoteron, 2007, 01:54)
YouTube Channel
Title = YouTube channel pages begin on the “Home” tab by default. If you want to cite one of the other tabs (e.g., Videos, About, Playlists)
Title of the section should be in italics and then include the description [YouTube channel] or [Vimeo channel] etc in square brackets after the title.
Date = No date in included in the date element and in-text citations use (n.d.)
Retrieval date = Provide a retrieval date as the contents of the page will change over time.
Account Name. (n.d.). Title of section [Site name channel]. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
Zoteron. (n.d.). Videos [YouTube channel]. Retrieved September 7, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/user/Zoteron/videos
In-text Citations
Follow standard Author/Year format. For further guidance see the In-Text Citations page
See our Zotero Guide for guidance on downloading and using Zotero.
General guidance:
The results of AI generative tools are not retrievable by other readers, therefore it is important to note the exact text created because a unique response will be generated in each session, even if given the same prompt.
You may also put the full text of responses from AI tools in an appendix of your paper, so readers have access to the exact text that was generated.
Referencing sources from generative AI
This is a fast-evolving area, therefore please refer to the guidance on how to reference sources generated by AI tools via the following resources:
APA Blog: How to cite ChatGPT
Cite them Right: Generative AI
|
Remember to note University Policy on the use of AI Students are permitted to make appropriate use of artificial intelligence tools to support their personal study, research and formative work. Where doing so, it is recommended that you discuss this with your supervisor or lecturer to understand how best to engage with these tools whilst still benefiting from the educational experience as intended. A student using any unacknowledged content generated by artificial intelligence within a summative assessment as though it is their own work constitutes academic misconduct, unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment brief. |
You only need to provide a reference for specialised software, and commonly known software such as Microsoft Office do not need in-text citations or entries in your reference list.
For example:
Participants were given a link to an online survey, created using Survey Monkey (http://www.surveymonkey.com) and had been previously been asked to download the Facebook app on their mobile devices
If you’re citing a particular page from the cite (e.g. the “About us” page), you should reference that page following the guidelines for a webpage.
For specialised software and software that your audience may not be familiar with, such as computer game software, please follow the guidance below:
Reference List:
Descriptor = Computer software / Mobile app / Computer game
Reference the year the version you used was released, even though previous versions may have been released in different years.
Software and computer games
Author, INITIALS. or Group author. (Year). Title of the software (Version) [Descriptor]. Publisher Name or App Store. URL (if applicable).
To reference content on a social media app, please see the specific guidance for each platform.
Mobile app
Author, INITIALS. or Group author. (Year). Title of entry. in Title of work (Version number) [Mobile app]. Publisher Name or App Store. URL
Loud Crow Interactive. (2014). PopOut! The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Version 1.7) [Mobile app]. iTunes App Store.
Entry from a mobile app (reference works) - These are treated in a similar way to chapters in an edited book
Author, INITIALS. or Group author. (Year). Title of mobile app (Version number) [Mobile app]. Publisher Name or App Store. URL
It is always good practice to read and reference the original source of a work. If this is not possible you need to include the secondary source in your reference list, i.e the item you are using (whether it is a book, journal article or any other material) and acknowledge the original source by using the phrase (as cited in ...) in your in-text citation.
In-text:
MacGilchrist argues that ....(as cited in Brundrett & Rhodes, 2011, p. 99)
Reference List:
Brundrett, M., & Rhodes, C. (2011). Leadership for quality and accountability in education. London: Routledge.
To cite quotes from an online source where there are no visible page numbers, use paragraph numbers, where available, with the abbreviation para and include the section heading where available, for example (project introduction, para. 3).
Where the section heading is unmanageable to cite in full, use a shortened version enclosed in quotation marks, for example, use ("Mandatory Labelling," para. 4) for the heading Mandatory labelling has targeted information gaps and social objectives.
**DO NOT use the page numbers from material that you have printed out from an online source as different printers may reflect different pagination**
Use the information from the version/format you have read.
All examples are for book sources, please adapt for other source types following guidance in the relevant sections of this guide
Translated works
Use the information from the version/format you have read and acknowledge the translator.
Reference List (book example):
Surname, INITIALS, (date). Title (INITIALS, Surname, Trans.).Publisher.
Piaget, J (1969). The psychology of the child (H. Weaver, Trans.). Basic Books.
In-text:
(Piaget, 1969)
Citing your own translations
In-text
If you translate a passage from one language into another it is considered paraphrasing and not a direct quotation. Thus, to cite your translated material, all you need to do is include the author and date of the material in the in-text citation. It is helpful to include the page number in the citation as this will help any readers who do not speak the original language to find the translated passage.
Reference List:
In the reference list, provide the citation for the work in its original language and in addition to this provide an English translation of the title of the work in [square brackets] after the foreign-language title, without italics.
Further guidance and more examples can be found on the APA Blog
Works written in languages other than English
It is helpful to provide an English translation of the title in square brackets. For example, an original French edition of a work by Piaget:
Use the information from the version/format you have read
Reference List (book example):
Surname, INITIALS. (Date). Title. [Translated Title]. Publisher.
Piaget, J. (1966). La psychologie de l’enfant [The psychology of the child]. Presses Universitaires de France.
In-text:
(Piaget, 1969)
Reference List (Journal article example):
Surname, INITIALS. (Date). Article title in original language [English translation of article title]. Journal name (Transliterated if in non-roman script), volume(Issue), Page(s). DOI or Web address (If access online)
Citing a work written in another language script
Titles should be transliterated and translated into English as in the example below of a source in Arabic, where the Arabic language has been transliterated from the Arabic alphabet to the Latin alphabet. Then you also put an English translation of the title of the document in squire brackets after the transliterated title.
Najm, Y. (1966). Al-qissah fi al-adab Al-Arabi al-hadith [The novel in modern Arabic literature]. Dar Al-Thaqafah.
Further guidance and more examples can be found on the APA Blog here
Works written in a non-Roman script
You will need to transliterate the details of sources into the Roman script. Further guidance and more examples can be found on the APA Blog
Author(s)
For the author you would use solely the transliterated form of their name(s) and you do not include the original script in either your reference list or any in-text citations
黒澤 明 transliterated is Akira Kurosawa
The in-text citation would be the transliterated author surname and date, e.g (Kurosawa , 2002)
Title (not journal titles, please see below)
For titles you need to use the transliterated form and include the English translation within square brackets
七人の侍 transliterated is Shichinin no Samurai,
Journal titles, please see below
For journal titles you need to use the transliterated form only, with no need to include the English translation in square brackets
An Example of a transliterated source (a film)
The final reference would look like this:
Kurosawa, A. (Director). (1954). Shichinin no samurai [Seven samurai]. Toho: Japan.
(Kurosawa, 1954)
An Example of a source in Arabic (Book)
The Arabic language has been transliterated from the Arabic alphabet to the Roman alphabet, after which you also put an English translation of the title of the document in squire brackets (after the transliterated title).
Najm, Y. (1966). Al-qissah fi al-adab Al-Arabi al-hadith [The novel in modern Arabic literature]. Dar Al-Thaqafah.
If the information needed to create a reference list entry is missing or unknown please follow the guidance from the APA Blog (taken from Section 9.4 of the APA Publication Manual, 7th edition)
If you only have an approximate date, place “ca.” (short for “circa”) before the year (or years if a date range)
(ca. 1959)
Date ranges have a hyphen between them (no space)
(ca. 1959-1962)
For further guidance please follow the guidance from the APA Blog (taken from Section 9.42 of the APA Publication Manual, 7th edition)
Reference List
For your reference list, include all authors with the last author name preceded by & (up to 20 authors).
For works with 20 or more authors, list the first nineteen then use an ellipsis (...) and list the name of the last author of the work (no & is required).
Please see examples in the Books by Multiple Authors Box for further guidance
In-Text Citations
For works with 1 or 2 authors include all names in every in-text citation
Parenthetical citations use the & between surnames (for 2 authors) and before the last surname for 3 or more authors, e.g
(Brown, 2017) or (Green & Preston, 2006)
Narrative citations spell out 'and' in between surnames (for 2 authors) and before the last surname for 3 or more authors, e.g
Brown (2017) or Green and Preson (2006)
For works with 3 or more authors, use the first author surname plus et al. (not italicised) for all in-text citations. The exception to this is when doing so would lead to confusion with other citations (i.e citations with the same lead author surname and year), in which case, include all author names to make the citation clear.
Parenthetical citations
(Green et al., 2006)
Narrative citations
Green et al. (2006)
Additional guidance on in-text citations can be found on the APA Blog
Reviews are referenced following the format for the source they are published in, with the addition of the original source information in square brackets after the review title (if there is one), e.g [Review of the book/film/TV series Book etc title, by Initial(s) Surname of author/editor/writer/director]
For reviews in books and journals provide the year of the review.
Surname, Initial(s) of reviewer, (YYYY). Title of review if there is one [Review of the book/film/TV series Book etc title, by Initial(s) Surname of author/editor/writer/director] Source information i.e Journal/Book title. DOI or URL if there is one
For reviews from websites or newspapers provide the year, month and date of the review.
Surname, Initial(s) of reviewer, (YYYY, Month Day). Title of review if there is one [Review of the book/film/TV series Book etc title, by Initial(s) Surname of author/editor/writer/director] Source information i.e Journal/Book title. DOI or URL if there is one
Book review published in a journal
Fforde, A. (2016). [Review of the book Politics in contemporary Vietnam: party, state and authority relations, by J. London (Ed.).] Journal of Vietnamese Studies, 11(3-4), 365-372. doi: 10.1525/jvs.2016.11.3-4.365
Book review on the back or front pages of a book
Cite as you would a chapter in a book, e.g.
Fforde, A. (2016). [Review of the book Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods, (6th ed.), by R. Yin.] In R. Yin, Case study research: design and methods (6th ed., Back cover). Sage.
Film review published on a website
Fforde, A. (2016, March 5). [Review of the film Mary Poppins, by R. Stevenson,Dir.] Title of Website, URL
TV series review published on a website
Whole series
Fforde, A. (2016, March 5). [Review of the TV series Doctor Who, by R. Stevenson,Dir.] Title of Website, URL
Individual episode
Fforde, A. (2016, March 5). [Review of the TV series episode "Praxeus", by R. Stevenson,Dir.] Title of Website, URL
*Please note that you should not use Anon. or Anonymous in an in-text citation unless the author has specifically been stated as such in the source*
*For works where there is no author you need to start the reference with the title information instead*
Stuck with referencing? The Library Team are happy to help with all of your referencing queries!
Email: library@educ.cam.ac.uk
Or you can book a 1:1 appointment with a member of the Library Team
Unsure which source type to use?
Sometimes the distinctions between source types can be ambiguous, in which case consistency is the most important thing. If a source could be defined as more than one source type then a judgement is needed to choose which format to use and you then need to be consistent throughout your work to make sure all other similar sources are referenced the same way.
