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APA Referencing Guide

Based on the NWU Referencing Guide.

Dictionaries



1. Dictionaries with an author(s)

When the dictionary has an author or authors (thus not editor(s) or compiler(s)), the text reference and entry in the reference list are handled the same as a book with an author.

Peters, P. (2013). The Cambridge dictionary of English grammar. Cambridge University Press.

Text:
The term morpheme refers to “the minimal unit of linguistic meaning, a form to which a meaning may be attached” (Peters, 2013, p. 151).

2. Dictionaries with an editor(s) or compiler(s)

Use the editor’s surname in the text reference, the same way as a text reference for a book. In the reference list entry, after the surname(s) of the editor(s) or compiler(s) qualify it with the appropriate abbreviation for editor(s) or compiler(s).

VandenBos, G. R. (Ed.). (2015). APA dictionary of psychology (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association.

Text reference:
The APA dictionary of psychology defines obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as ... (VandenBos, 2015).

3. Dictionaries with an editor(s) or compiler(s), each entry written by different author(s)

Treat this the same as collected works or encyclopedias.

Brokaw, D. (1990). Character and personality. In R. J. Hunter (Ed.), Dictionary of pastoral care and counselling (pp. 136-137). Abingdon Press.

Text reference:
(Brokaw, 1990).

4. Online dictionaries

When an online dictionary is updated over time and not archived, include a retrieval date in the reference list entry.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Culture. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved September 9, 2019, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture

Text reference:
Culture refers to the “customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.).

5. Dictionaries on mobile apps

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster dictionary (Version 4.3.3) [Mobile application]. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/apps

Text reference:
(Merriam-Webster, n.d.).