Skip to Main Content

APA

ACU Library guide to referencing in APA7 style

Data sets

Reference list

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of data set (Numerical identifier; Version #) [Data set]. Publisher. DOI or URL

Example:

Mills, K., Unsworth, L., Williamson, M., Ferguson, A., Quinn, M., Clay, R., Trembath, M., & Maksoud, T. (2019). Developing the multimodal language of emotions of low SES primary students (LP150100030; 2016-2019) [Data set]. Australian Catholic University. https://doi.org/10.26199/5dfbfbaffd787

In-text

(Mills et al., 2019) or Mills et al. (2019) …

Notes

  • Include a retrieval date only if the data set is designed to change over time. 
  • If citing existing data, cite the publication in which the data were published (for example, a journal article or webpage) rather than the data set itself.
  • If the data is unpublished provide the source (, for example, university) if known. 
  • For multiple authors, consult the guidance provided by APA for reference lists and in-text citations.

Standards

Reference list

Standards organisation. (Year of publication). Title of standard (Standard number). Publisher. https://xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Example:

Standards Australia. (2010). Guide for managing risk in not-for-profit organisations (HB 266:2010). Techstreet. https://subscriptions.techstreet.com/

In-text

(Standards Australia, 2010) or Standards Australia (2010) recommend that …

Notes

  • When the publisher is the same as the author, omit the site name from the reference.
  • Provide page numbers or paragraph numbers when doing a direct quote.
  • Further examples are available on the APA Style Blog.

Statistics

Reference list

Author. (Year, Month day). Title of document (Cat. No. XXX). https://xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Example:

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2018, April 23). Childhood education and care, Australia, June 2017 (Cat. No. 4402.0). http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4402.0Main+Features1June%202017?OpenDocument

In-text

(Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2018)

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, 2018) reported …

Subsequent citations: (ABS, 2018)

Notes

  • Acronyms for long organisational names can be used if the acronym is added in brackets after first use (see in-text example above).
  • More details on elements to include when citing different document types are available at Citing ABS sources (ABS website).
  • Copy and paste the complete URL to avoid transcription errors.
  • If the URL is very long, a functioning, shortened link can be used.
  • For multiple authors, consult the guidance provided by APA for reference lists and in-text citations.