Proper referencing is the foundation of academic writing. Whether you’re writing a research article, thesis, or lab report, using a consistent citation style like APA format ensures your work is credible and professional. This guide from Pedigogy.com helps students understand the structure and examples of APA references, focusing on journal articles — one of the most commonly cited sources in academic writing.
Basic Format for References of Journal Articles
When referencing journal articles in APA (7th edition), include these components:
- Author(s): The surname followed by the initials.
- Year of publication: Placed in round brackets.
- Title of the article.
- Journal name: In italics.
- Volume number: In italics.
- Issue number: In round brackets (no italics).
- Page range of the article.
- DOI or URL (if available).
✅ Tip: The first line of each citation is left-aligned, and the subsequent lines are indented by 0.5 inches (5–7 spaces) — known as a hanging indent.
Examples of APA Journal References
Below are examples for different types of journal citations in APA format, commonly used in research papers.
1. Single Author
In-text citation:
“Black tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water” (Ruxton, 2016, p. 34).
Reference list:
Ruxton, C. (2016). Tea: Hydration and other health benefits. Primary Health Care, 26(8), 34–42. https://doi.org/10.7748/phc.2016.e1162
2. Two Authors
In-text citation:
Aspy and Proeve (2017) have found …
Reference list:
Aspy, D. J., & Proeve, M. (2017). Mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation: Effects on connectedness to humanity and to the natural world. Psychological Reports, 120(1), 102–117. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294116685867
3. Three to Twenty Authors
In-text citation:
Geraghty et al. (2016) suggest …
Reference list:
Geraghty, S., Lauva, M., & Oliver, K. (2016). Reconstructing compassion: Should it be taught as part of the curriculum? British Journal of Nursing, 25(15), 836–839. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2016.25.15.836
4. 21 or More Authors
In-text citation:
Khan et al. (2019) used criteria which included “reduced or lost sense of smell.”
Reference list:
Khan, A., Huynh, T. M. T., Vandeplas, G., Joish, V. N., … Bachert, C. (2019). The GALEN rhinosinusitis cohort: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps affects health-related quality of life. Rhinology, 57(5), 343–351. https://doi.org/10.4193/Rhin19.158
5. Journal Articles Without DOI
If no DOI is available, cite it like a print article.
Example:
Nairne, D. C., & Wilkinson, H. (2018). What’s love got to do with it? Vermont Connection, 39(1), 106–112.
6. Cochrane Database Articles
In-text citation:
Hodder et al. (2019) identified 78 relevant trials.
Reference list:
Hodder, R. K., O’Brien, K. M., … & Wolfenden, L. (2019). Interventions for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in children aged five years and under. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008552.pub6
7. Online Journal Article Without DOI (With Article Number)
Reference list:
Marion, T., Reese, V., & Wagner, R. F. (2018). Dermatologic features in good film characters who turn evil: The transformation. Dermatology Online Journal, 24(9), Article 4. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1666h4z5
8. Print Journal Article Without DOI
Reference list:
Duncan, S. (2016). Voices from the grandstands: The attitudes of Australian football fans towards community development. Sporting Traditions, 33(2), 19–40.
9. Online Journal Article Without Page Numbers
Reference list:
Christensen, G., Dafoe, A., Miguel, E., Moore, D. A., & Rose, A. K. (2019). A study of the impact of data sharing on article citations using journal policies as a natural experiment. PLoS ONE, 14(2), Article e0225883. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0225883
10. Secondary Sources
In-text citation:
Constituting a “global movement toward a more naturalistic approach for childbirth” (Goldbas, 2012, as cited in Sullivan & McGuiness, 2015, p. 20).
Reference list:
Sullivan, D. H., & McGuiness, C. (2015). Natural labor pain management. International Journal of Childbirth Education, 30(2), 20–25. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/sn_pubs/51/
Conclusion on writing references
Mastering APA reference format is essential for all university students, especially those involved in scientific research and publication. It reflects academic honesty, consistency, and respect for intellectual property. Whether you’re studying agriculture, veterinary science, or any other discipline, correct referencing helps your research stand strong among peers.
Want to improve your academic writing and referencing skills?
Explore Pedigogy’s Research and Publication Hub for expert-led lessons, citation tools, and writing guides tailored for B.Sc. Agriculture and B.V.Sc. & A.H. students. For more citation and research-writing guides, visit Pedigogy.com’s Research Hub — your trusted platform for research-based academic learning.
Share this post!
Updated on 3 November 2025
