4TH EDITION

GUIDE TO

RESEARCH
& CITATION
APA STYLE

LIBRARIES
 RESEARCH & CITATION GUIDE

Welcome!
Welcome to the Seneca Libraries Guide to Research and Citation, APA Style.

Note: This research guide is based on the Publication manual of the American Psychological Association
(6th ed.). The contents are accurate to the best of our knowledge. Some examples illustrate Seneca
Libraries’ recommendations and are marked as modifications of the official APA guidelines.

What is Citing?
When you use someone else’s ideas, words or images in your paper, you must clearly show who
created the work and where the original item can be found. Citation is an organized set of rules that
make these acknowledgements consistent and easier to understand.

What is APA?
APA is a set of rules for publications, including research papers. APA style was created by the
American Psychological Association.
In APA, you must “cite” sources that you have paraphrased, quoted or otherwise used to write your
research paper. Cite your sources in two places:
1. In the body of your paper where you add an in-text citation in brackets.
2. In the Reference List at the end of your paper where you give more complete information about
the source.

Common Terms

Academic Honesty: Academic honesty means that all Seneca College persons will conduct
themselves in an honest and trustworthy manner in all aspects of their academic career. See Seneca’s
Academic Policy for more detailed information at www.senecacollege.ca/academic-policy.
Copyright: Copyright literally means the right to copy either in print or online. Copyright has rights
for both authors and users in an effort to create a balanced and fair use of copyrighted works. In
Canada, copyright protection is automatic upon the creation of a work.You have to ensure you are
following Canadian copyright law whenever you reproduce or distribute someone else’s copyrighted
works.
In-Text Citation: A brief note at the point where information is used from a source to indicate
where the information came from. An in-text citation should always match more detailed information
that is available in the Reference List.
Paraphrasing: Taking information that you have read and putting it into your own words.
Paraphrased information should be followed by an in-text citation.
Plagiarism: Taking, using, and passing off as your own, the ideas or words of another.
Quoting: The copying of words of text originally published elsewhere. Direct quotations generally
appear in quotation marks and end with a citation.
Reference: Details about one cited source. Individual references are listed in your Reference List.
Reference List: Contains details on ALL the sources cited in a text or essay.

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RESEARCH TIPS

The Research Process

Before You Start Your Research

Make sure you have a clear understanding of the type of research materials required for
your assignment (e.g. websites, scholarly journal articles, books, etc.).

The Research Process

Research is a process that requires planning and may take longer than you think. Begin
your research as early as possible to give yourself enough time to locate relevant
resources and to get help if you need it.

Start your research with the steps outlined below.You may find you have to go back to
a previous step to find the best resources for your assignment. For example, if you start
searching in step 2 and see you aren’t getting many good search results, you may have to
go back to step 1 to review your topic and the keywords you’re using to find new ways
to search.

1. Define your topic

and think of keywords
for searching

2. Search to find
4. Cite your sources Your Topic related books,
journals, newspapers,
videos, etc.

3. Evaluate what you

find and choose the
best sources

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Identifying Types of Articles

Is it a journal, magazine, or newspaper article?

Well… does it have a

START bibliography at the end?

Yes No

Skim the first few paragraphs.

More than 3 pages long? Are there lots of words that
are difficult to understand?

Yes No Yes No

Does the article state what Compare the date of the article to the
events talked about in the article. Are they
education the author has or
within a few weeks of each other?
what university they are
affiliated with?
Yes No

Yes No
It’s most likely a
Would most people reasonably
newspaper article! consider this article more educational
It’s most likely a journal (Like one from the than entertaining?
article! Toronto Star or
(Like one from Canadian Montreal Gazette!) Yes No
Nurse or Marketing
Research!) It’s most likely a
magazine article!
(Like one from
Macleans or Today’s
Parent!)

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RESEARCH TIPS

Evaluating Information

Evaluating Information

A research assignment is only as good as the information used to create it. The following
criteria should be used when evaluating all types of resources, including: books, magazine,
journal and newspaper articles, and websites.

What is the
purpose? Is
it to teach,
inform, sell or Is the
entertain? information
Who is the
intended current
audience? enough for my
topic?

Evaluation:
Is the Questions to Does the
information Ask Yourself information
supported by relate to my
evidence? topic?

Who is the
Is the author?
information What are the
biased? author’s
qualifications?

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Paraphrasing and Quoting

There are two ways to integrate the information you have gathered into your assignment: you can
paraphrase or you can quote. Both are acceptable, as long as you cite your sources properly. See
page 2 for definitions of paraphrasing and quoting.

Paraphrasing is used to show that you understand what the author wrote.You must make sure that
you completely reword the passage, not just change a few words here and there.

When quoting you typically place quotation marks around the selected passage.

You will need to cite your source after both a quote and a paraphrase.

Quotation from Original Source

Homeless individuals commonly come from families who are riddled with problems and marital
disharmony, and are alienated from their parents. They have often been physically and even
sexually abused, have relocated frequently, and many of them may be asked to leave home or are
actually thrown out, or alternatively are placed in group homes or in foster care. They often have
no one to care for them and no one knows them intimately.

Reference List Citation:

Rokach, A. (2005). The causes of loneliness in homeless youth. The Journal of Psychology, 139, 469-
480. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.

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Example - Quoting

ü Proper Quoting:
The homeless were typically neglected growing up since they “commonly come from families who
are riddled with problems and marital disharmony” (Rokach, 2005, p. 477).
or
As Rokach (2005) notes, the homeless “often have no one to care for them and no one knows them
intimately” (p. 477).

Typically an in-text citation will have the author’s last name and the year of publication. In the second
quoting example, because the author’s name was given leading into the quote, the name didn’t have to be
repeated in the citation.

Example - Paraphrasing

x Incorrect Paraphrasing:
The homeless come from families with problems. Frequently, they have been physically or sexually
abused, or have lived in group homes. Usually, no one cares for them or knows them intimately
(Rokach, 2005).

ü Correct Paraphrasing:
Many homeless experience isolation in part due to suffering from abuse or neglect during their
childhood (Rokach, 2005).

The incorrect example is too close to the original source. The student only changed or removed a few
words. The correct example keeps the idea of the original, but phrases it in a new way.

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 RESEARCH & CITATION GUIDE

Books & eBooks

Titles Book In Print with One Author
Capitalize the Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title
first letter of of book: Subtitle if given (edition if given and is not first edition). Publication
the first word
of the title, and City, Province, State or Country: Publisher Name often shortened.
any proper
Watson, J. (2012). Human caring science: A theory of nursing (2nd ed.). Sudbury,
nouns such
as the names MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
of places or
people. If there In-Text Paraphrase: (Author’s Last Name,Year)
is a colon (:) in Example: (Watson, 2012)
the title, also In-Text Quote: (Author’s Last Name,Year, p. Page Number)
capitalize the Example: (Watson, 2012, p. 70)
first letter of
the first word
after the colon. eBook From a Library Database with One Author
Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title
Place of
Publication of book: Subtitle if given (edition if given and is not first edition). Retrieved

For cities in from Database Name database.

the US and
Schildt, H. (2011). Java:The complete reference (8th ed.). Retrieved from Books
Canada list the
city name and 24x7 database.
the province or
state code. For In-Text Paraphrase: (Author’s Last Name,Year)
other countries, Example: (Schildt, 2011)
list the city In-Text Quote: (Author’s Last Name,Year, p. Page Number)
name and the Example: (Schildt, 2011, p. 101)
country.

No Author
If no author or creator is provided, start the citation with the title/name of the
item you are citing instead. Follow the title/name of the item with the date of
publication, and the continue with other citation details. Note: an author/creator
won’t necessarily be a person’s name. It may be an organization or corporation,
for example Health Canada.

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Editors eBook From a Website with One Author

If you have Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title
more than one of book: Subtitle if given (edition if given and is not first edition) [Name of
editor list their
names after Electronic Book Provider or Device version if any, e.g. Google Books version,
the first editor
Kobo version]. Retrieved from URL
listed in the
book, giving
Nightingale, F. (1860). Notes on nursing:What it is, and what it is not
their initials and
last name. Put [Google Books Version]. Retrieved from http: //books.google.ca/
an ampersand
books?id=YxIDAAAAQAAJ&dq=nursing&pg=PR5#v=onepage&q&f=false
(&) before the
last editor’s
In-Text Paraphrase: (Author’s Last Name,Year)
name.
Example: (Nightingale, 1860)
When you have In-Text Quote: (Author’s Last Name,Year, p. Page Number)
one editor Example: (Nightingale, 1860, p. 157)
the short
form (Ed.) is
used after the
editor’s name. If Short Stories, Essays, Chapters or Articles From a
you have more Book (Anthology or Collection)
than one editor
use (Eds.) Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title
instead. of chapter, article, essay or short story. In Editor’s First Initial. Second Initial
If there is no if Given. Editor’s Last Name (Ed.), Title of book (pp. first page number-last
editor given,
page number). Publication City, Province, State or Country: Publisher Name
you may leave
out that part of often shortened.
the citation.
Stockert, P.A. & Taylor, C. (2014). Sleep. In P.A. Potter, A.G. Perry, J.C. Ross-Kerr &
M.J. Wood (Eds.), Canadian fundamentals of nursing (5th Cdn. ed., pp. 993-
1016). Toronto, ON: Elsevier.

In-Text Paraphrase: (Author’s Last Name,Year)

Example: (2 authors) (Stockert & Taylor, 2014)
In-Text Quote: (Author’s Last Name,Year, p. Page Number)
Example: (2 authors) (Stockert & Taylor, 2014, p. 998)

See In-Text Citation For 2 or More Authors on Page 10

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Pamphlets, Handouts, Encylopedias & Dictionaries

In-Text Citation for 2 or More Authors
Second and Second and
Number of First Time
Subsequent Times First Time Quoting Subsequent Times
Authors/Editors Paraphrase
Paraphrase Quoting
(Case & (Case & (Case & Daristotle, (Case & Daristotle,
Two
Daristotle, 2011) Daristotle, 2011) 2011, p. 57) 2011, p. 57)
(Case, Daristotle, (Case, Daristotle,
(Case et al., 2011,
Three to Five Hayek, & Raash, (Case et al., 2011) Hayek, & Raash,
p. 57)
2011) 2011, p. 57)
(Case et al., (Case et al. 2011, (Case et al., 2011,
Six or More (Case et al., 2011)
2011) p. 57) p. 57)

Reference List Citation for 2 or More Authors

When a book has one to seven authors or editors, all authors’ names are cited in the Reference
List citation. When a book has eight or more authors or editors, list the first six authors followed
by three spaced ellipses points (. . .), and then the last author’s name.

Pamphlet in Print with a Group or Corporate Author

Name of Corporate/Group Author. (Year of Publication). Title of pamphlet or brochure: Subtitle
if given [Brochure]. Publication City, Province, State or Country: Publisher Name often
shortened. Note: Use the term [Brochure] for a pamphlet or brochure.

Region of Waterloo Public Health. (n.d.). Eat well for less [Brochure]. Waterloo, ON: Author.

In-Text Paraphrase: (Name of Corporate/Group Author,Year)

Example: (Region of Waterloo Public Health, n.d.)
In-Text Quote: (Name of Corporate/Group Author,Year, p. Page Number)
Example: (Region of Waterloo Public Health, n.d., p. 15)

Note: In this example the author is also the publisher of the brochure. In this case put the word
Author where you’d normally put the publisher’s name.

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Quoting With Class Handouts from My.Seneca (Blackboard)

No Page Instructor’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year Handout Was
Numbers
Created if known). Title of handout: Subtitle if any [Class handout]. Retrieved
If there are no from URL for My. Seneca
page numbers
and there Magowan, A. (2013). Career resources at the library [Class handout]. Retrieved
are section
headings, give from https://my.senecacollege.ca/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp
the name of
the heading, In-Text Paraphrase: (Instructor’s Last Name,Year)
followed by Example: (Magowan, 2013)
the word In-Text Quote: (Instructor’s Last Name,Year, p. Page Number)
“section” and Example: (Magowan, 2013, p. 2)
the number of
the paragraph
within the Online Encyclopedia or Dictionary From a Website -
section it is
from with the
Unknown Author
word “para” Title of entry. (Year of Publication). In Editor’s First Initial. Second Initial if given.
before it. Last Name (Ed.), Name of encyclopedia or dictionary (Edition if given and is not
first edition). Retrieved from URL
If there are
no section
Acetone. (2012). In Macmillan dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.
headings,
write only the macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/acetone
author’s last
name and year. In-Text Paraphrase: (“Title of entry”,Year)
Example: (“Acetone,” 2012)
In-Text Quote: See below for how to quote in-text when there are no
page numbers.

Quoting With No Page Numbers Example

Here’s an example of an in-text citation to quote with no page numbers: (Carruthers, 2002,
Functions and Duties section, para. 2)
Include the author’s last name, the year, the name of the section followed by the word section and
the paragraph the quote came from in that section.

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Images & Journals

Figure Reproducing Images, Charts,Tables & Graphs
Numbers
If you copy or recreate an image, table, graph or chart in your assignment, you
Each image must create a note underneath it to show where you found it.
you reproduce You do not include this information in a Reference List.
should be
assigned a
figure number,
starting with
Image Reproduced From a Website
number 1 for Note: Applies to Graphs, Charts, Maps, Drawings, Tables and Photographs
the first image
Figure X. Description of the image or image title if given. Adapted from “Title
used in the
of Website,” by Author/Creator’s First Initial. Second Initial. Last Name if given,
assignment.
publication date if given, Title of Website. Retrieved Month, day, year that you last
viewed the website, from URL. Copyright date by Name of Copyright Holder.
Title
Images may Note: Information about the image is placed directly below the image in your
not have a set assignment.
title. If this is
the case give A B C
a description
of the image Example: 7 55 9
where you
would normally -- ~ ~
put the title.
iii == 66
Copyright
Include Figure 2. Table of symbols.Adapted from “Case One Study Results,” by G.A. Black,
copyright 2006, Strong Online. Retrieved June 14, 2013, from http://www.strongonline/
information casestudies/one.html. Copyright 2010 by G.L. Strong Ltd.
in the citation
if it is given,
including the
year and the
copyright
holder.
Copyright
information on
a website may
often be found
at the bottom
of the home
page.

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DOI Numbers Journal Article From Library Database with DOI -

in Library One Author
Databases
Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title
Some electronic
of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Journal, Volume Number(Issue Number if
content is
assigned a page numbering begins at 1 for each issue in the volume), first page number-
unique number last page number. doi: doi number
called a Digital
Object Identifier Bailey, N.W. (2012). Evolutionary models of extended phenotypes. Trends in
(DOI). If a DOI
is provided Ecology & Evolution, 27, 561-569. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2012.05.011
for a journal
article, include In-Text Paraphrase: (Author’s Last Name,Year)
it after the page Example: (Bailey, 2012)
numbers of In-Text Quote: (Author’s Last Name,Year, p. Page Number)
the article as Example: (Bailey, 2012, p. 562)
“doi:###”.

You do not
Journal Article From Library Database no DOI -
need to put a
period after a
One Author
DOI number. Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title
If no DOI of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Journal,Volume Number(Issue Number if
number is given, page numbering begins at 1 for each issue in the volume), first page number-
Seneca Libraries
recommends last page number. Retrieved from Database Name database.
that you add
Retrieved Carlisle, D. (2012). In the line of fire. Nursing Standard, 26(39), 18-19. Retrieved
from _____ from Academic Search Premier database.
database as
opposed to In-Text Paraphrase: (Author’s Last Name,Year)
the URL for Example: (Carlisle, 2012)
an entry or In-Text Quote: (Author’s Last Name,Year, p. Page Number)
database. This Example: (Carlisle, 2012, p. 18)
is to avoid
difficulties with
links.

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Magazines & Newspapers

Journal Article From a Website - One Author
Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title of article:
Subtitle if any. Name of Journal,Volume Number(Issue Number if given). Retrieved from URL

Flachs, A. (2010). Food for thought: The social impact of community gardens in the Greater
Cleveland Area. Electronic Green Journal, 1(30). Retrieved from http://escholarship.org/uc/
item/6bh7j4z4

In-Text Paraphrase: (Author’s Last Name,Year)

Example: (Flachs, 2010)
In-Text Quote: See Page 11 for how to quote in-text when there are no page numbers.

Magazine Article From a Website

Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title of article: Subtitle
if any. Name of Magazine,Volume Number(Issue Number if given), first page number-last page
number if given. Retrieved from URL

Freedman, D. H. (2012, June). The perfected self. The Atlantic. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.
com/magazine/archive/2012/06/the-perfected-self/8970/4/?single_page=true

In-Text Paraphrase: (Author’s Last Name,Year)

Example: (Freedman, 2012)
In-Text Quote: See Page 11 for how to quote in-text when there are no page numbers.

Alphabetical Order in Reference List

When putting works in alphabetical order, ignore initial articles such as “the”, “a”, or “an”. For
example the title The best of Canada would be alphabetized as if it started with the word best
instead of the word The. If the title begins with a number, alphabetize it as if the number was spelled
out. For example the title 5 ways to succeed in business would be alphabetized under F as if it had
started with the word Five.

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No Authors Magazine Article From a Library Database - One

If a magazine Author
article has no Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication,
author, start the
Month Day if Given). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Magazine,
citation with
the article title. Volume Number(Issue Number if page numbering begins at 1 for each
See Page 8 for issue in the volume), first page number-last page number. Retrieved from
how to cite
Database Name database.
when no author
is given.
Abramsky, S. (2012, May 14). The other America 2012. Nation, 294(20), 11-
Anonymous 18. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
If a magazine
In-Text Paraphrase: (Author’s Last Name,Year)
article is
Example: (Abramsky, 2012)
written by
“Anonymous”, In-Text Quote: (Author’s Last Name,Year, p. Page Number)
put the word Example: (Abramsky, 2012, p. 14)
“Anonymous”
where you’d
normally have Newspaper Article From a Library Database
the author’s Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication,
name.
Month Day if Given). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Newspaper, p.
SectionPage if given. Retrieved from Database Name database.
Websites
As content is Schachter, H. (2012, June 18). What does it take to be a good team player? The
likely to change
Globe and Mail, p. B7. Retrieved from Canadian Newstand Major Dailies
over time, the
date websites database.
are viewed are Note: If an article ends with a question mark or exclamation mark (!), you do
included in not need to add a period to mark the end of the title.
the retrieval
information. In-Text Paraphrase: (Author’s Last Name,Year)
Example: (Schachter, 2012)
In-Text Quote: (Author’s Last Name,Year, p. Page Number)
Example: (Schachter, 2012, p. B7)

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Newspapers & Websites

No Database Newspaper Article From a Website

Name Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication,
If you find an Month Day if Given). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Name of Newspaper
article using
Retrieved from URL
Library Search
make sure to
Aw, J. (2012, June 12). Stopping the soda bulge: Why we need to consider
click through
to read the full restricting sugary beverages. National Post. Retrieved from http://life.
text article. nationalpost.com/2012/06/12/stopping-the-soda-bulge-why-we-need-to-
Once you are
consider-restricting-sugary-beverages/
looking at the
full article it
In-Text Paraphrase: (Author’s Last Name,Year)
usually says the
Example: (Aw, 2012)
database name
at the top or In-Text Quote: See Page 11 for how to quote in-text when there are no
bottom of the page numbers.
screen.

If it is Website by a Corporation, Institution or Group

ambiguous or Corporation/Group/Organization’s Name. (Year website was last updated/
says something
like “searching published, Month Day if given). Title of website. Retrieved Month Day,Year
12 databases” site was last viewed (if content is likely to change over time), from URL
and you can’t
tell which one World Health Organization. (2012). Data and statistics. Retrieved March 18,
the database
2013, from http://apps.who.int/research/en/
is from, enter
the name of In-Text Paraphrase: (Corporation/Group’s Name,Year)
the database Example: (World Health Organization 2012)
provider (e.g.
In-Text Quote: See Page 11 for how to quote in-text when there are
Proquest,
no page numbers.
EBSCO, etc.) as
the database.
No Author - Citing In-Text ..cont. on page 17
Where you’d normally put the author’s last name, instead use the first one, two,
or three words from the title. Provide enough words to make it clear which
work you’re referring to.

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No Author Website with a Known Author

If no author Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year website was
or creator is updated/published, Month Day if given). Title of website. Retrieved Month
provided, start
Day,Year site was last viewed (if content likely to change), from URL
the citation
with the title
Mabillard, A. (2011, December 29). Shakespeare online. Retrieved June 19,
/ name of the
item you are 2012, from http://www.shakespeare-online.com/
citing instead.
Follow the In-Text Paraphrase: (Author’s Last Name,Year)
title / name of Example: (Mabillard, 2001)
the item with In-Text Quote: See Page 11 for how to quote in-text when there are
the date of no page numbers.
publication, and
then continue
with other Chapter or Section from a Website – Corporate or
citation details. Group Author
Corporation/Group/Organization’s Name. (Year website was last updated/
An author /
creator won’t published, Month Day if given). Title of chapter or section: Subtitle if any.
necessarily be a In Title of section or page. Retrieved Month Day,Year site was last viewed
person’s name.
(if content is likely to change over time), from URL
It may be an
organization or Canadian Cancer Society. (2013). Cancer research. In Cancer information.
corporation, for
example Health Retrieved May 13, 2013, from http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-
Canada. information/cancer-101/cancer-research/?region=on

In-Text Paraphrase: (Corporation/Group’s Name,Year)

Example: (Canadian Cancer Society, 2013)
In-Text Quote: See Page 11 for how to quote in-text when there are
no page numbers.

No Author - Citing In-Text ..cont.

If the title in the References List is in italics, italicize the words from the title in the in-text citation.
If you are citing an article, a chapter of a book or a page from a website, put the words in quotation
marks. For example, Book: (Cell Biology, 2012) Article: (“Nursing,” 2011).

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Websites

Website Report or Document from a Website – Corporate or

Content Group Author
If the content Corporation/Group/Organization’s Name. (Year report was last updated/
could change published, Month Day if given). Title of report: Subtitle if given. Retrieved
over time,
Month Day,Year site was last viewed (if content is likely to change over
include the
Month Day, time), from URL
Year you
viewed the site College of Nurses of Ontario. (2009). Practice standard: Ethics (Pub. No. 41034).
after the word Retrieved from http://www.cno.org/docs/prac/41034_Ethics.pdf
“Retrieved”
and before the In-Text Paraphrase: (Corporation/Group’s Name,Year)
words “from Example: (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2009)
URL” In-Text Quote: See Page 11 for how to quote in-text when there are no
page numbers.
No
Publication
Number Government Document From a Website
Because there Name of Government Department, Agency or Committee. (Year of Publication,
is a publication Month Day). Title of document: Subtitle if given (edition if given and is not first
number it is
included in edition). Retrieved Month Day,Year that you last viewed the website, from
the citation URL
after the title.
If there was Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services. (2010, April 27).Your
a chapter or preschool child’s speech and language development. Retrieved April 1, 2013,
section number,
from http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/earlychildhood/
it would be
included in the speechlanguage/ brochure_preschool.aspx
same place as
the publication In-Text Paraphrase: (Name of Government Department, Agency or
number as Committee,Year)
(Chapter xx) or Example: (Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth
(Section xx). Services, 2010)
In-Text Quote: See Page 11 for how to quote in-text when there are no
page numbers.

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Annotated Bibliography
How To Create An Annotated Bibliography
An annotated bibliography is a list of citations on a certain topic that provide a description of each
of the various books, articles, and other sources on the list. The annotated bibliography looks like a
Reference List but includes a summary and/or critical evaluation (i.e., annotation) after each source
that is cited. It can be part of a larger research project, or can be a stand-alone report in itself.

There are two types of annotations:

A summary annotation describes the source by answering the following questions: who wrote the
document, what does the document discuss, when and where was the document written, why was the
document produced, and how was it provided to the public. The focus is on description.
An evaluative annotation includes a summary as listed above but also critically assesses the work
for accuracy, relevance, and quality. Evaluative annotations can help you learn about your topic, develop
a thesis statement, decide if a specific source will be useful for your assignment, and determine if
there is enough valid information available to complete your project. The focus is on description and
evaluation.

Process for Writing an Evaluative Annotation:

1. Cite the source using APA style.
2. Describe the main ideas, arguments, themes, theses, or methodology, and identify the
intended audience.
3. Explain the author’s expertise, point of view, and any bias he/she may have.
4. Compare to other sources on the same topic that you have also cited to show similarities
and differences.
5. Explain why each source is useful for your research topic and how it relates to your topic.
6. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each source. Identify the observations or
conclusions of the author.

Remember
Annotations are original descriptions that you create after reading the document.
When researching, you may find journal articles that provide a short summary at the beginning of
the text. This article abstract is similar to a summary annotation.You may consult the abstract when
creating your evaluative annotation, but never simply copy it as that would be considered plagiarism.

Basic Writing and Format Tips

Each annotation should be one paragraph, between three to six sentences long (about 150 - 200 words).
Start with the same format as a regular Reference List.
After each citation, the annotation is indented two spaces from the left margin as a block.
All lines should be double - spaced. Do not add an extra line between the citations.
If your list of citations is especially long, you can organize it by topic.
Try to be objective, and give explanations if you state any opinions.
Use the third person (e.g., he, she, the author) instead of the first person (e.g., I, my, me).

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Annotated Bibliography
Example - Summary Annotation

Maak, T. (2007) Responsible leadership, stakeholder engagement, and the emergence of social capital.
Journal of Business Ethics, 74, 329-343. doi:10.1007/s10551-007-9510-5

This article focuses on the role of social capital in responsible leadership. It looks at both the
social networks that a leader builds within an organisation, and the links that a leader creates
with external stakeholders. Maak’s main aim with this article seems to be to persuade people of
the importance of continued research into the abilities that a leader requires and how they can
be acquired.

The underlined words below show what has been added to the summary annotation to make it an
evaluative annotation.

Example - Evaluative Annotation

Maak, T. (2007). Responsible leadership, stakeholder engagement, and theemergence of social capital.
Journal of Business Ethics, 74, 329-343. doi:10.1007/s10551-007-9510-5

This article focuses on the role of social capital in responsible leadership. It looks at both the
social networks that a leader builds within an organisation, and the links that a leader creates
with external stakeholders. Maak’s main aim with this article seems to be to persuade people of
the importance of continued research into the abilities that a leader requires and how they can
be acquired. The focus on the world of multinational business means that for readers outside
this world many of the conclusions seem rather obvious (be part of the solution not part of
the problem). In spite of this, the article provides useful background information on the topic
of responsible leadership and definitions of social capital which are relevant to an analysis of a
public servant.

Adapted From Memorial University Libraries. (2008). How to write annotated bibliographies. Retrieved
November 13, 2013, from http://www.library.mun.ca/guides/howto/annotated_bibl.php

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APA CITATION EXAMPLES

Sample Paper
Running head: SHORTENED TITLE 1

Left-side of the title page header: Right-side of the title page header:

Include the words “Running head:” followed by Page numbering starts o the title page and
the short title (first few words) in UPPERCASE should be one inch from the right-side of page

Full title, centered Full Title of Research Paper

Student’s name, centered Student’s Name

Course number CRS 101

Instructor’s name Professor’s Name

Date submitted September 18, 2012

This is only a suggested format. Please ask your instructor for individual preferences.

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Sample Paper
SHORTENED TITLE
The header contains the SHORT TITLE 2
of the paper and the page number
The title is centered, Uppercase and
Lowercase, but not Bolded or Italicized Full Title of Research Paper

Begin the first paragraph of your research paper with a half-inch indent. Avoid the

temptation of using the heading “Introduction” at the start of your paper. Your first sentence is

what should immediately follow the title. Paper is double-spaced

As your paper develops, you will want to incorporate your research. Sometimes you will use

direct quotes that “duplicate the original source word for word” (Jones & Brook, 2011, p. 3).

Other times, you will put the ideas from your research into your own words, and that paraphrased

material must also be cited in-text (Xiang, Cooper, Wilson & Liang, 2012). Even if your

information came from a website without an author, you must cite that source (Corporation,

2012). Font: Times New Roman Size 12

At the end of your paper, you will list all of your sources in a Reference List. The Reference List

page begins on a new page and must be included in every research paper.

Margins are set at 1” on all sides

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APA CITATION EXAMPLES

Sample Paper
SHORT TITLE at the top left corner and page
SHORTENED TITLE number at the top
right corner

of each page, 1/2
3
inch from the top of the page

Centre the title, , at the top of the page References

Corporation. (2012). Company brochure: Available online. Retrieved August 27, 2014 from

http://www.corporationxyz.brochure/pdf Citations should be double-spaced

Jones, A. B., & Brooks, C. D. (2011). Sample print book title. Toronto, ON: Publisher.

Xiang, E., Cooper, F., Wilson, G. H., & Lang, I. (2012). Sample title: Of an invented journal

article. Citations, 14(7), 34-41. doi: 10.1056/j.cit.2012.08.034

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Additional Resources
Legal Citations
Because of the complexity of legal citations, APA follows a legal citation style guide for citing sources
such as legislation and case law. Legal citations in your Reference List will look significantly different
from other material you may cite.

Seneca Libraries recommends following the Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation for citing legal
resources. In-text citations should still follow the standard APA format. Links to examples can be
found from other material that you may cite.

Subject Guides
Not sure where to start your research? Want to find great resources for your program? Check out
our Subject Guides! Visit the library at library.senecacollege.ca for more information.

Using EasyBib, KnightCite, or other citation generators

Writing accurate citations can be challenging. A wide range of tools are available to help you. However,
no tool is perfect. These citation generators can help you get started, but you are responsible for
the accuracy of the citations in your paper. Always check the citations you are given against the
information in this guide.

Assignment Calculator
Want to plan your time well? Use
the Assignment Calculator to help
you break down your assignment
or project into manageable
steps and direct you to useful
guides & services. Assignment
calculator can be found at
https://sparc4.senecac.on.ca/
assignmentcalculator/

All content, except where otherwise noted, created by

the Library Citation Committee lcc@senecacollege.ca

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