APA Reference for a Journal Article

A Detailed Guide and Example for Proper APA Citation Formatting

Highlights

Accurate Bibliographic Details: Ensure all elements such as authors, year, title, and journal information are included.
APA 7th Edition Format: Follow the APA 7th edition guidelines for placement, punctuation, and italicization.
DOI and URL Usage: Include the DOI if available; otherwise, use the URL provided.

Introduction

Properly citing sources is an essential practice in academic writing. It not only lends credibility to scholarly work but also allows readers to locate and verify sources easily. The APA (American Psychological Association) referencing style is widely used across various disciplines, especially in social sciences. In this detailed guide, we will focus on creating an APA reference for a particular journal article accessed via the URL: https://www.al-kindipublisher.com/index.php/jefas/article/view/2695.

The key components of an APA reference for a journal article include the names of the authors, the publication year, the article title, the name of the journal, the volume and issue numbers, the page range, and the DOI or URL. Proper formatting also involves the correct use of italics and punctuation. Below, we will deconstruct each component of the reference, provide insights into the logic behind the APA style, and offer additional guidance on ensuring accurate citation in your academic work.

Understanding the APA Reference Format

General Structure

The APA reference format for a journal article is structured as follows:

General Template

Author Last Name, Initial(s). (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, Volume Number(Issue Number), Page Range. DOI or URL

This template ensures that all crucial details are captured and presented in a uniform way, facilitating easy identification and retrieval of the original article.

Detailed Breakdown

1. Author(s) Name(s)

In the APA style, the names of authors are presented with the last name first, followed by initials for the first and middle names. When there are multiple authors, they are separated by commas, with an ampersand (&) used before the final author's name. For the specific article in question, the authors are:

Garcia, K. L., Habaña, K., & Canto, D.

2. Publication Year

The publication year is enclosed in parentheses and immediately follows the authors’ names. For this article, the publication year is:

(2022).

3. Article Title

APA style requires the title of the article to be in sentence case, meaning only the first word of the title and subtitle (if any) and proper nouns are capitalized. For our article:

The Effects of Labor Migration and OFW Remittances on the Level of Poverty in the Philippines.

4. Journal Name, Volume, and Issue Numbers

The title of the journal should be presented in full and italicized, followed by the volume number which is also italicized. The issue number is placed in parentheses immediately after the volume number, but it is not italicized. For the article, the journal details are:

Journal of Economics, Finance and Accounting Studies, 4(1)

5. Page Range

The page range indicates the span of pages on which the article appears within the journal. In this case:

203-221

6. DOI or URL

The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is a permanent identifier for electronic documents. If a DOI is available, it should be presented; if not, then the URL of the article can be provided. In our case, the article has a DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32996/jefas.2022.4.1.13

Creating the APA Reference

By integrating the information detailed above, the complete APA reference for the article from the provided URL is as follows:

Garcia, K. L., Habaña, K., & Canto, D. (2022). The effects of labor migration and OFW remittances on the level of poverty in the Philippines. Journal of Economics, Finance and Accounting Studies, 4(1), 203-221. https://doi.org/10.32996/jefas.2022.4.1.13

Extended Explanation and Context

Background on APA Style

APA style, developed by the American Psychological Association, provides standardized guidelines for formatting academic papers and citing sources. Its rules are widely adopted in various academic disciplines, ensuring clarity and uniformity in scholarly communication. The seventh edition of the APA Publication Manual includes updates that account for new forms of media and technological contexts.

One feature of APA style is its emphasis on clarity. It requires that every reference provides enough detail for a reader to locate the original source, effectively supporting academic transparency. The details provided in the reference—such as the authors, title, and DOI—play a key role in this process, ensuring that even if the reader is unfamiliar with a source, they can use the reference to find the original material.

Importance of Accurate Citations

Accurate citations serve several critical purposes. First, they acknowledge the work of other researchers, thereby upholding the ethical standards of academic work. Second, they provide context to the arguments or findings presented in any academic text, allowing for easier verification and further exploration. Third, in the more practical setting of research, citations help avoid allegations of plagiarism or misattribution, which can severely undermine an individual’s scholarly credibility.

For these reasons, taking the time to double-check bibliographic details and ensuring that a reference complies with APA guidelines is an important step in the research process.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mismatched Punctuation

One of the frequent errors researchers encounter while citing sources is the incorrect usage of punctuation. APA style employs specific punctuation rules, such as the use of periods after initials and commas that separate elements of the citation. For example, authors’ initials should be followed by periods, and individual author entries should be properly separated.

Incorrect Italicization

The journal name and volume number must be italicized, whereas the issue number should not be. Misapplication of these rules can lead to inconsistencies in how references appear, potentially confusing the reader. Paying attention to the guidelines detailed above helps eliminate such errors.

Omitting Critical Information

In some instances, researchers may inadvertently omit essential information, such as the DOI. The DOI is particularly important because it provides a permanent link to the source, making future access easier, even if the URL changes. Always ensure that every critical component of the reference is present.

Further Analysis Using an HTML Table

Below is an HTML table summarizing the key components of the APA reference for the article:

Component	Details
Authors	Garcia, K. L., Habaña, K., & Canto, D.
Year	2022
Article Title	The effects of labor migration and OFW remittances on the level of poverty in the Philippines
Journal Name	Journal of Economics, Finance and Accounting Studies
Volume and Issue	4(1)
Page Range	203-221
DOI	https://doi.org/10.32996/jefas.2022.4.1.13

This table provides a visual representation of the citation components, ensuring that every part of the reference is clear and correctly formatted. Such visual breakdowns can assist students and researchers in verifying their work against standardized guidelines.

Practical Usage and Application of the Reference

Academic Writing and Research

Incorporating correct citations is crucial in academic writing, whether you are writing a research paper, thesis, or any scholarly article. The reference provided in the APA style should be included in the reference list or bibliography section at the end of your work. Doing so allows your readers to locate the original source material, fostering an environment of academic integrity and trust.

For example, when discussing the socio-economic impact of labor migration on poverty in the Philippines, you might refer to the article by Garcia, Habaña, and Canto (2022) to support your arguments. Including the complete APA reference ensures that your readers have direct access to the detailed analysis that supports your claims:

Reference Management and Citation Tools

There are various citation management tools available that help researchers generate APA formatted references seamlessly. Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote allow for the quick extraction of citation information from academic databases and websites. Using these tools, researchers can minimize errors and ensure compliance with citation guidelines. However, manual verification remains crucial, especially when dealing with unique or less common sources.

Understanding the underlying principles of APA referencing empowers you to correct any discrepancies that automated tools might miss. For instance, if an automated system incorrectly formats the volume and issue numbers or the placement of periods and commas in author initials, you’ll be able to spot and fix such issues.

Verifying Citation Information

It is a good practice to verify each component of a citation before finalizing your reference list. During the verification process, checking the original publication is advised if any details are unclear or incomplete. Academic publishers and journal websites typically provide detailed citation information, and ensuring consistency between your reference list and the publisher’s details enhances the credibility of your work.

For example, the publisher’s website for the referenced article clearly outlines the authors, publication year, article title, journal title, volume, issue, page range, and DOI. This confirmation helps to avoid discrepancies that might arise from outdated references or misinterpretation of bibliographic data.

Additional Considerations in APA Referencing

Handling Multiple Authors

In APA style, articles with multiple authors are cited by listing all the contributing authors in the reference entry. If the citation is mentioned parenthetically in the text, APA guidelines recommend listing the first author followed by “et al.” when there are three or more authors. This approach minimizes redundancy while still maintaining accuracy. The full reference list entry, however, should list every author’s name.

Importance of the DOI

The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is a critical element in modern academic citations because it provides a stable, persistent link to the digital object. Even if the URL changes due to website redesigns or other reasons, the DOI remains constant, ensuring that the source can always be accessed. In the example provided, the DOI "https://doi.org/10.32996/jefas.2022.4.1.13" guarantees the long-term accessibility of the article.

Formatting the Reference List

Your reference list should be organized alphabetically by the last name of the first author. Each reference entry should have a hanging indent, meaning that all lines after the first line of each reference should be indented. This practice improves readability and aligns with APA style guidelines. Although this formatting is usually managed by word processors or citation management software, knowing the underlying structure is important for manually correcting any issues.

Here is a quick checklist for handling APA references:

Ensure all necessary components (author names, year, title, journal details, DOI/URL) are present.
Check that punctuation and italics follow APA guidelines.
Verify the reference details against the original source.
Use a hanging indent for each entry in the reference list.
Double-check DOIs and URLs for accuracy.

Example in Context

To illustrate the comprehensive process of creating an APA reference, let us consider an integrated example that embeds the reference within the context of a research discussion:

Research on Labor Migration and Poverty in the Philippines

Recent studies have highlighted significant economic and social impacts resulting from labor migration. One influential piece of research examined how labor migration and the remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affect poverty levels within the Philippines. The study, published in a reputable journal of economics and finance, provides in-depth analysis and empirical data on the transformative role of remittances in poverty alleviation.

In discussing these findings, researchers have noted that the remittances sent back home serve as a critical source of income for many families, reducing the incidence of extreme poverty and contributing to broader economic growth. However, the dynamics are complex, with factors such as regional economic disparities and market fluctuations playing pivotal roles. The study by Garcia, Habaña, and Canto (2022) offers valuable insights into these dynamics by presenting detailed statistical evidence and analysis.

The complete APA reference for this study is:

Including a properly formatted reference not only enhances the credibility of the researcher’s work but also allows peers to engage with the underlying data and conclusions. Students and other researchers are encouraged to closely follow APA guidelines to ensure their academic writing meets expected standards.

Conclusion

In summary, creating an APA reference for a journal article involves careful attention to detail and a structured approach to presenting bibliographic information. The complete reference provided for the article accessed via this URL is a prime example of how to accurately include all necessary details such as the authors, publication year, article title, journal name, volume and issue numbers, page range, and DOI.

Understanding and applying the APA 7th edition guidelines is essential for ensuring that academic work is both credible and easy to navigate. Through careful breakdown of each component and adherence to proper formatting rules, scholars can greatly enhance the clarity and professionalism of their work. The insights provided in this guide, along with the detailed explanation and context, should empower students and researchers to confidently create and verify APA citations in their academic endeavors.

References

Garcia, K. L., Habaña, K., & Canto, D. (2022). The effects of labor migration and OFW remittances on the level of poverty in the Philippines. Journal of Economics, Finance and Accounting Studies, 4(1), 203-221. https://doi.org/10.32996/jefas.2022.4.1.13