Databases are crucial resources for accessing scholarly articles and documents in academic research. Citing databases in APA style requires specific elements: author’s name, article title, journal name, publication date, database name, and DOI or URL. These components apply to both in-text citations and reference list entries.
Citing Different Types of Databases
Scholarly Databases vs. Commercial Databases
Scholarly databases, such as PubMed and JSTOR, contain peer-reviewed articles and academic papers. Commercial databases, like ProQuest and EBSCOhost, offer a mix of scholarly and non-scholarly content, including magazines and trade publications. Understanding the type of database you’re citing is crucial, as it influences the citation format.
Citing Online Databases
For online databases, always include the URL or DOI. For example, a citation from an online scholarly database might look like this:
Smith, J. A. (2020). The impact of social media on adolescent psychology. Journal of Adolescent Research, 35(2), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1002/jar.2057
Citing Offline Databases
Offline databases, such as CD-ROM or institutional archives, require a different approach. Include the medium in the citation. For example:
Doe, J. (2018). Environmental policy changes in the 21st century [CD-ROM]. Environmental Data Archive.
Essential Components of a Database Citation
Author Information
Always start with the author’s last name, followed by their initials. If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear in the source. Use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name.
Publication Date
Include the publication year in parentheses right after the author’s name. If no date is available, use “n.d.” for “no date.”
Title of the Database
Italicize the title of the work. For articles, capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle. For periodicals, capitalize all major words.
Database URL or DOI
A DOI is preferred over a URL because it provides a permanent link to the content. If no DOI is available, use the URL. Place this information at the end of the citation.
Guide to Crafting a Database Citation
Gathering Necessary Information
Ensure you have all the required details: author(s), publication date, title, and source (URL or DOI).
Formatting the Author’s Name
Start with the last name, followed by initials. For multiple authors, use commas to separate names and an ampersand before the final author’s name.
Adding the Publication Date
Place the year of publication in parentheses right after the author’s name.
Writing the Title in Italics
Italicize the title and use sentence case for articles and lowercase for the first word of the subtitle.
Including the URL or DOI
End the citation with the DOI or URL. Ensure the link is complete and functional.
Special Cases in Database Citations
Multiple Authors
For works with up to 20 authors, list all names. For more than 20, list the first 19, followed by an ellipsis (…), and then the final author’s name.
No Author
If no author is listed, start with the title of the work. For example:
The state of climate science. (2021). Environmental Studies Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/esj.2041
No Publication Date
If the publication date is not available, use “n.d.” For example:
Brown, T. (n.d.). Historical perspectives on renewable energy. Energy Research, 10(4), 45-67. https://doi.org/10.1002/er.3012
Database Without a DOI
If no DOI is provided, include the URL of the database. Ensure it directs to the exact page of the source.
Examples of APA Database Citations
Scholarly Database Citation Example
Green, P. L., & White, H. B. (2019). Advances in cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychology Today, 28(3), 112-130. https://doi.org/10.1037/cbt.2019.002
Commercial Database Citation Example
Johnson, R. K. (2020). Market trends in consumer electronics. Tech Industry Review. Retrieved from https://www.techindustryreview.com/market-trends
Citation Example for an Online Database
Martin, L. J. (2018). Urban development and planning. Urban Studies Quarterly, 45(2), 98-115. https://www.jstor.org/stable/urban.45.2.98
Citation Example for an Offline Database
Davis, M. T. (2017). Agricultural practices in the Midwest [CD-ROM]. Agricultural Data Center.
Tools and Resources for APA Citations
Use WriterBuddy APA Database Citation generator to simplify and automate the citation process. However, always review generated citations for accuracy.
FAQs
1. Why are accurate database citations important in academic writing?
Accurate database citations are essential because they ensure the credibility and traceability of your research, prevent plagiarism, and honor the original authors’ contributions. Proper citations allow readers to verify your sources and build upon your work, maintaining the integrity of academic discourse.
2. How do I cite a database without a DOI in APA style?
If a database does not provide a DOI, include the URL of the database instead. Make sure the URL directs to the exact page of the source. For example: Johnson, R. K. (2020). Market trends in consumer electronics. Tech Industry Review. Retrieved from https://www.techindustryreview.com/market-trends.
3. What should I do if there is no author listed for a database entry?
If no author is listed, start the citation with the title of the work. For example: The state of climate science. (2021). Environmental Studies Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/esj.2041.
4. Can online citation generators like WriterBuddy be trusted for APA citations?
Online citation generators like WriterBuddy can be very helpful for creating APA citations quickly. However, it’s important to always review the generated citations for accuracy and adherence to APA guidelines, as automated tools can sometimes make errors.
Conclusion
APA Database Citation process involves including author information, article details, journal information, and database specifics. Following these guidelines helps properly attribute ideas and provides readers with necessary information to locate the original content.
Related Citation Tools
| Citation Generator | Chicago Citation |
| Easily generate accurate citations across various styles, saving time and avoiding formatting errors. | Produce consistent Chicago-style citations, suitable for history, literature, and the arts. |
| APA Citation | Harvard Citation |
| Create precise APA citations effortlessly, ideal for students and researchers following APA guidelines. | Generate Harvard-style citations with ease, commonly used in the humanities and social sciences. |
| MLA Citation | AMA Citation |
| Generate accurate MLA citations quickly, perfect for academic papers that require MLA formatting. | Quickly create citations following the AMA style, ideal for medical and health-related academic writing. |
| ABNT Citation | IEEE Citation |
| Automatically generate citations in accordance with ABNT standards, essential for academic writing in Brazil. | Generate accurate IEEE citations, perfect for engineering, computer science, and other technical fields. |
| Vancouver Citation | ACS Citation |
| Create accurate citations using the Vancouver system, widely used in medical and scientific research papers. | Produce citations in the ACS style, tailored for chemistry and related scientific disciplines. |
| Turabian Citation | CSE Citation |
| Easily create citations in Turabian style, a simplified version of Chicago, ideal for students and researchers. | Generate citations in the CSE style, commonly used in the natural sciences, including biology and environmental studies. |
