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Reference list example

See how to format an APA 7 reference list. Follow citation order, layout, and style rules to present sources correctly in your academic work.

What to include in your reference list

  • Give an entry for every source you have cited in the text.
  • Do not add entries for works you have not used, however relevant.
  • Do not include entries for works you have not read.

How to arrange your references

  • List your references alphabetically by the author's surname.
  • If the title begins with  ‘A’, ‘An’ or ‘The’, list alphabetically by the second word.
  • If you have more than one entry with the same author, order them by year (earliest first).
  • If you have more than one entry with the same author and year, list them alphabetically by title, and add a lower-case letter to each year (e.g., 2025a, 2025b).

How to format your reference list

  • Begin the reference list on a new page at the end of your document.
  • Use the heading ‘References’, centred at the top of the page.
  • Alphabetise your reference list. In Word: select your references, then click on the 'AZ' button in the paragraph section of the menu bar.
  • Use double line spacing. In Word: select your references and use Ctrl+2 (Command+2 on a Mac) to double-space lines.
  • Use a hanging indent (approx. 0.75 cm or 4-5 spaces). In Word select your references and use Ctrl+T (Command+T on a Mac).
References will be formatted slightly differently depending on the source type.

Example reference list

References

Ambrosy, J. & Allen-Cheng, S. (2023). A teachers guide to outdoor education curriculum: Victorian edition. Federation University. https://oercollective.caul.edu.au/teachers-guide-outdoor-ed-vic

Britton, D. & Polman, R. (2022). Measuring sportspeople’s regulation of their own emotions via social processes and interactions: Validating the interpersonal emotion questionnaire. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 21(5). 857-868. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2022.2089197

Bozkurt, A. (2024a). GenAI et al.: Cocreation, authorship, ownership, academic ethics and integrity in a time of generative AI. Open Praxis, 16(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.55982/openpraxis.16.1.654

Bozkurt, A. (2024b). Tell me your prompts and I will make them true: The alchemy of prompt engineering and generative AI. Open Praxis, 16(2), 111-118. https://doi.org/10.55982/openpraxis.16.2.661

Frost-Camilleri, L. (Host) (2023, February 24). Sharon Davis – Educational placements. (No. 5) [Audio podcast episode]. In Feducate – Speaking of education…. Federation University. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feducate/episodes/Sharon-Davis---Educational-Placements-e1v7utr

Gazula, S. (2017). Nutrition. In R. Hill, H. Hall, P. J. Glew, & C. Taylor (Eds.), Fundamentals of nursing and midwifery: A person-centred approach to care (3rd ed., pp. 1030-1072). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins

Labas, A., Long, B.M., & Liu, D. (2023, September 27). New study shows we can create value from food waste by turning it into a highly desirable material – nanocellulose. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/new-study-shows-we-can-create-value-from-food-waste-by-turning-it-into-a-highly-desirable-material-nanocellulose-214153

Mitchell, D., Wilson, J.Z., & Archer, V. (Eds.) (2015). Bread and roses: Voices of Australian academics from the working class. Sense Publishers.

Pruis, K. (2019). Rethinking English language support: Reflections from Chinese international students on communicating orally in English in the study abroad context. [Doctoral dissertation, Federation University]. Federation ResearchOnline.

Roga, E. & Pruis, K. (2023). Lessons learnt from developing support services for systematic and scoping reviews in a regional university library. Journal of Health Information and Libraries Australasia, 4(3) 45-53. https://doi.org/10.55999/johila.v4i3.177

TED. (2023). Dr David Waldron: Rethinking the ghost story [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqWhT1XzYdA

Additional guidance

American Psychological Association. (2022). References. APA style. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references

Federation University. (2020). APA 7 quick guide: Reference list. https://studyskills.federation.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/apa7_quick-guide_ref-list_2020.pdf