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Citing sources according to APA guidelines

APA Style @ TiU

4.7 Data sets ǀ Software, Mobile apps ǀ Tests, Scales, Inventories

Data set

What is a DOI?

In the reference list 

Fischer, S., & Orlowski, T. (2020). Child care licensing study, United States, 2017 (ICPSR 37700; Version V2) [Data set]. ICPSR. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR37700.v2

Statistics Netherlands. (2018). International trade; Imports and exports, SITC 3, country, 1996-2017 [Data set]. https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/figures/detail/7137eng

  • Begin the reference with the last name(s) and initial(s) name of the author(s), followed by the publication year.
  • List the title of the dataset (in italics). Include any numeric identifier and version number of the dataset, not in italics and in parentheses (as in the first example). 
  • Add a form-specific description in square brackets (important for identification and retrieval of the data set). 
  • Provide the name of the publisher. Capitalize the first word and all major words.
  • Omit the publishing organization when the publishing organization is the same as the organisational author (as in the second example).
  • End the reference with the DOI if the data set has a DOI. If the data set does not have a DOI, give the URL.
  • Do not include a period after the DOI/URL.

In the text

Parenthetical citations: (Fischer & Orlowski, 2020; Statistics Netherlands, 2018)

Narrative citations: Fischer and Orlowski (2020) and Statistics Netherlands (2018)

Software, Mobile app

No reference required

If you mention (but not quote or paraphrase) common software or mobile apps in the text, a reference is not necessary. What does 'common' mean? Examples are:

  • Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
  • Social media apps (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok)
  • Adobe products (e.g., Adobe reader, Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat)
  • Survey software (e.g., Qualtrics, Survey Monkey)
  • Statistical programs (e.g., R, SPSS, SAS)

 In the text, whenever you mention common software or mobile apps, you must specify the version number (if applicable). Refer to Subsection 1.11 for an example. 

Reference required

If you mention specialized software or mobile apps in the text, a reference is required.

In the reference list

Honaker, J., King, G. & Blackwell, M. (2018). Amelia II (Version 1.7.5) [Computer software]. Github. https://github.com/IQSS/amelia

ATLAS.ti Scientific Software Development. (2023). ATLAS.ti Web (Version 5.8.0) [Computer software]. https://atlasti.com

Blub Blub. (2020). Speech blubs: Language therapy (Version 2.4.3) [Mobile app]. Google Play Store. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.blubblub.app.speechblubs

  • Begin the reference with an individual’s name as the author if s/he has proprietary rights to the program or the mobile app (as in the first example). In all other cases, use the name of the organization that publishes/distributes the software or mobile app. 
  • Provide the publication year of the version you used.
  • List the name of the software or mobile app (in italics). Include the version number in parentheses (if relevant).
  • After the title, include a form-specific description in square brackets.
  • Then, provide the publishing organization's name. Note that in the second example, the author and the publishing organization are identical. In such cases, the publishing organization's name is omitted to avoid repetition.
  • End the reference with the URL. 
  • Do not include a period after the URL. 

In the text

Parenthetical citations: Honaker et al., 2018; ATLAS.ti Scientific Software Development, 2023); Blub Blub, 2020)

Narrative citations: Honaker et al. (2018), ATLAS.ti Scientific Software Development (2023), and Blub Blub (2020)

Test, Scale, Inventory

Please note Cite the test, scale or inventory itself only if a manual or other supporting literature is not available. If a manual is available, cite the manual.

In the reference list 

Project Implicit. (n.d.). Disability IAT. https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html

  • Begin the reference with the author(s) or organizational author.
  • On the position of the date, write "n.d." (for "no date") because the year of publication is unknown.
  • Provide the title of the measurement instrument (in italics).
  • End the reference with the URL (do not include a period after the URL).

In the text

Parenthetical citation: (Project Implicit, n.d.)

Narrative citation: Project Implicit (n.d.)

In the reference list 

Endler, N. S., & Parker, J. D. (2004). Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation (CISS): Technical manual. Pearson.

  • Begin the reference with the last name(s) and initial(s) of the author(s), followed by the year of publication.
  • List the title of the test, scale or questionnaire (in italics). 
  • End the reference with the name of the publisher. 

In the text

Parenthetical citation: (Endler & Parker, 2004)

Narrative citation: Endler and Parker (2004)