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ebooks: Referencing eBooks with APA 7th Edition

Citing eBooks in APA Style

APA Book Citations

APA style is primarily used by the social sciences when writing papers and citing sources. This guide is based on the 7th edition published in 2020. 

When using the APA style for citations, ebooks (and audiobooks) will follow the same structure as a printed book. You are only adding the URL or DOI for where you found the ebook. 

Full APA citations are listed on a Reference page at the end of a written work, listed alphabetically. If you have multiple entries by the same author, you list them in order by the date they were published (newest appearing first).

Important Elements for APA Book Citations:

  • Author's last name and initials for their first and middle names (if applicable)
  • Publication date
  • Title, in the "down" style (you only capitalize the first word of the title and subtitle)
  • Publisher Name
  • Link to the URL or DOI where you accessed the material
  • If citing a chapter from a book, include the chapter number, page numbers, and edition information
  • Remember to use a hanging indent of 1/2 inch on citations that are longer than one line!

 

Template for an eBook Citation in APA Style:

Last name, Initials. (Year published in parentheses). Title of book in italics. Publisher Name. URL or DOI. 

Example eBook Citation in APA style:

Cain, S. (2012). Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that won't stop talking. Penguin Random House. http://libbyapp.com

 

Template for a Chapter Citation from an Edited eBook in the APA Style

An edited book refers to a book made from chapters written different authors and complied by the editors. Because there are different authors for each chapter, you want to create a full reference citation for the specific chapter and author you are referencing. 

Last name, Initials. (Year Published). Title of the chapter (NOT italicized). In Last Name(s) of editor(s) (Ed), Title of whole work in italics, (edition and page ranges of chapter cited). Publisher. URL or DOI link

Example eBook Chapter Citation from an Edited Book in APA style:

Hussey, L.K. (2019). Customer Service. In L.K. Hussey & D.L. Velasquez (Eds.), Library management 101 : A practical guide (pp.59-64). American Library Association. https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/lib/uiowa

 

More information about the APA 7th Edition can be found using the Citation Help guide or the APA Style Guidelines directly.