How to Do a Citation for a Glossary in APA Format
The American Psychological Association format is a writing style used in the social and behavioral sciences as well as many other disciplines. APA format guides the way you cite sources to properly attribute material.
Print-Based Glossary
A citation for a print-based glossary should begin with the title of the entry. You also must include the edition number, place of publication and publisher. For example:
Phenomenology. (2004). In Merriam-Webster's dictionary (italicize all words except "In") (11th ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.
When you cite this entry within your text, use the word and the year within parentheses. For example: (Phenomenology, 2004).
If you quote from the definition, you must also include the page number. For example: (Phenomenology, 2004, p.599).
Online Glossary
Online glossary citations must include a link to the entry rather than the publication information. For example:
Enigma. (2013). In Merriam-Webster online (italicize all words except "In"). Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enigma
If the entry does not have a date listed, use the abbreviation "n.d." in place of the year. For example:
Enigma. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster online (italicize all words except "In"). Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enigma
When citing the word within the text, include the word and year. Even if you quote from an online entry, you do not need a page number. For example: (Engima, 2013).
References
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 6th Edition; American Psychological Association
- College of St. Scholastica: Citation Help for APA, 6th Edition
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