Tips and examples for citing online resources, including articles, reports, webpages, library databases. The examples provided on this guide follow the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition.
Special Note About the Examples Below:
The examples provided on this guide follow the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition. While the APA provides clear instructions for most standard publication types, some business resources have unique elements that make the guidelines open to interpretation. Some examples provided below contain adaptations made by the Bentley Library's reference librarians to enhance the clarity of the citations for the Bentley University community.
Holland, C. P. (1995). Cooperative supply chain management: The impact of interorganizational information systems. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 4(2), 117-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/0963-8687(95)80020-Q
If the article does not have a DOI and is from an academic research database, end the reference after the page range. In this case the reference is the same as for a print article.
Journal Article
Arruda-Filho, E., Cabusas, J., & Dholakia, N. (2010). Social behavior and brand devotion among iPhone innovators. International Journal of Information Management, 30(6), 475-480.
Magazine Article
Twenge, J. M. (2017, September). Has the smartphone destroyed a generation? Atlantic, 320(2), 58–65.
Newspaper Article
Burkitt, L. (2010, December 16). McDonald's joins the line looking to expand in China. Wall Street Journal [Eastern edition], B8.
If the article does not have a DOI but does have a URL that will resolve for readers (e.g., it is from an online journal, magazine or newspaper that is not part of a database), include the URL of the article at the end of the reference.
Huerta, D., Perez-Liston, D., & Jackson, D. (2011). The impact of TARP bailouts on stock market volatility and investor fear. Banking and Finance Review, 3(1), 45-54. http://www.bankingandfinancereview.com/bfr/index.php/bfr/article/view/183
Stoddart, T. (2020, July 1). Content marketing: A modern guide. Copyblogger. https://copyblogger.com/content-marketing/
Use the same format for both print books and ebooks.
Book
Lewis, R., & Dart, M. (2010). The new rules of retail: Competing in the world's toughest marketplace. Palgrave Macmillan.
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000
Edited Book
Jameson, J. (Ed.). (2020). International perspectives on leadership in higher education: Critical thinking for global challenges. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315122410
Nakayama, T. K., & Halualani, R. T. (Eds.). (2011). The handbook of critical intercultural communication. Wiley.
Book Chapter
Smith, A. C. T. (2017). Sport marketing. In R. Hoye & M. M. Parent (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of sport management (pp. 138-159). Sage.
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Claritas. (2017). Pop facts demographics report: Middlesex County [Data]. Retrieved September January 29, 2019, from https://claritas360.claritas.com/
Claritas. (2019). Market potential report: Alcohol in analysis area Boston, et al MA-NH Nielsen Designated Market Area (DMA)[Data]. Retrieved January 29, 2019, from https://claritas360.claritas.com/
Claritas. (2020). Profile worksheet: Quick service restaurants used past 30 days Five Guys (A) [Data]. Retrieved August 5, 2020, from https://claritas360.claritas.com/
Harris, K. M., & Udry, J. R. (2018, August 6). National longitudinal study of adolescent to adult health (Add Health), 1994-2008 (Public Use) [Data Set]. ICPSR. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR21600.v21
Pew Research Center. (2020). Congress on social media, 2015-2020 [Data set]. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/dataset/congress-on-social-media-2015-2020/
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Company Information
Dun & Bradstreet. (n.d.). Merck & Co. Inc. [Company profile]. D&B Hoovers. Retrieved August 10, 2020, from http://logon.onesource.com/
Dun & Bradstreet. (2019, November 12). CRUSH Report for Merck & Co. Inc. D&B Hoovers. http://logon.onesource.com/
Merck & Co. Inc. (2020, February 26). Form 10-K. D&B Hoovers. http://logon.onesource.com/
SWOT, Industry and Analyst Reports
This database contains reports authored by a variety of sources (e.g. MarketLine, GlobalData). Cite the original source of the data in the author element.
Clarivate Analytics. (2020, April 5). Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp: Cortellis company and pipeline overview report. D&B Hoovers. http://logon.onesource.com/
GlobalData. (2020, May 22). Merck & Co. Inc. [SWOT report]. D&B Hoovers. http://logon.onesource.com/
MarketLine. (2020, May). Pharmaceuticals in South Africa [Industry profile]. D&B Hoovers. http://logon.onesource.com/
Build Company List
Dun & Bradstreet. (n.d.). [List of public, parent companies in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry (primary) in the United States]. D&B Hoovers. Retrieved August 10, 2020, from http://logon.onesource.com/
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Company Profile
Date Axle. (n.d.). New Balance Athletics, Brighton, MA [Headquarter] [Company profile]. Retrieved February 15, 2022, from https://www.referenceusa.com
Company List
Data Axle. (n.d.). [List of companies in Providence, RI with 100-999 employees]. Retrieved February 15, 2022, from https://www.referenceusa.com
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Data and Custom Searches
DemographicsNow. (n.d.). [Geography: Massachusetts; People & companies: Business list search for primary NAICS only - 312120 breweries] [Data]. Retrieved August 6, 2020, from https://link.gale.com/apps/DNOW
Easy Analytic Software (EASI), Alteryx, & Experian. (n.d.). Complete demographic summary report: Geography 01803 (zip) Burlington, MA [Data]. DemographicsNow. Retrieved August 5, 2020, from https://link.gale.com/apps/DNOW
Easy Analytic Software (EASI), Alteryx, & Experian. (n.d.). Household comparison report: Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA [Data]. DemographicsNow. Retrieved May 1, 2018, from https://link.gale.com/apps/DNOW
Mosaic Profile
Experian. (2022). Type G25: Urban edge. Mosaic USA. Retrieved August 19, 2023, from https://link.gale.com/apps/DNOW
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Entry with a group author
Central Intelligence Agency. (2021, March 15). Austria. In The world factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/austria/
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Gerrymander. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved June 27, 2019, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gerrymander
Entry with individual author in an edited book
Fitzgerald, J. A., & Tengler, D. L. (2019). Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. In B. Naris (Ed.), The Gale encyclopedia of mental health (4th ed., Vol. 3, pp. 1156-1160). Gale.
Stiff, C. (2019). Social media and cyberactivism. In A. Attrill-Smith, C. Fullwood, M. Keep, & D. J. Kuss (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of cyberpsychology (pp. 370-393). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198812746.013.21
Entry without an author
Guyana. (n.d.). In Europa world online. Routledge. Retrieved March 3, 2021, from http://www.europaworld.com
Dissertation/thesis retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database
Vasiliou, V. (2020). Increasing gender diversity on corporate boards: Voices of male and female directors in the United States (Publication No. 27963279) [Doctoral dissertation, Bentley University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
Dissertation/thesis published online in an archive or repository
Hoar, S. R. (2019). Presidential power and partisan polarization [Master’s thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology]. DSpace@MIT. https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/124272
Unpublished dissertation/thesis
Smith, C.L. (1990). Job search strategies: Their effects on job search success [Unpublished master's thesis]. Cornell University.
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Euromonitor International. (n.d.). Market sizes for hot drinks - coffee - Germany, 2016-2019 [Data]. Passport. Retrieved August 5, 2020, from https://www.euromonitor.com/
Euromonitor International. (2020, February). Footwear in Japan. Passport. https://www.euromonitor.com/
Euromonitor International. (2020, April 23). Snacks for children: Targeting a new generation of parents. Passport. https://www.euromonitor.com/
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Guyana. (n.d.). In Europa world online. Routledge. Retrieved March 3, 2021, from http://www.europaworld.com
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Apple, Inc. (2019, October 31). Form 10-K. FactSet. https://www.factset.com/
FactSet Research Systems. (n.d.). Apple Inc. acquires Mobeewave Inc. (July 31, 2020) [Deal snapshot]. Retrieved August 10, 2020, from https://www.factset.com/
FactSet Research Systems. (n.d.). Apple Inc. [Company profile]. Retrieved August 10, 2020, from https://www.factset.com/
FactSet Research Systems. (n.d.). Apple, Inc. [Broker outlook]. Retrieved August 10, 2020, from https://www.factset.com/
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Reference List examplesCiting the Codification
FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board). (n.d.). Accounting standards codification (ASC). Retrieved January 16, 2013, from https://asc.fasb.org/
Citing a section of the Codification
FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board). (n.d.). ASC 605-50-45-1. Retrieved January 16, 2013, from https://asc.fasb.org/
Citing an Accounting Standards Update, Exposure Document or Other Source from the Codification
FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board). (2012, October 24). Accounting standards update (ASU) No. 2012-07. Retrieved January 16, 2013, from https://asc.fasb.org/
In text citation examplesQuotations from participants in an original research study you conducted (including focus groups) do not need citations or reference list entries. One reason that citations and references are excluded is that they could compromise participants’ confidentiality, which is an ethical violation.
When quoting a research participant, state in the text that the quotation is from a participant and follow the basic APA guidelines for formatting quotations of under or over 40 words.
Kodali, S., & Cyr, M. (2020, July 16). The state of the US shopper — COVID-19. Forrester Research. https://go.forrester.com/
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Company Profile
Gale Group. (n.d.) Uber Technologies, Inc. [Company profile]. Gale Business Insights. Retrieved January 16, 2023, from https://bi.gale.com/essentials
Market Share Reporter entry
Top frozen plain potatoes/french fries/hashbrowns brands, 2021. (2023). In V. L. Burton III (Ed.), Market share reporter (33rd ed.). Gale.
SWOT Report
GlobalData. (2022, September). Abbott Laboratories [SWOT report]. Gale Business Insights. https://bi.gale.com/essentials
Cearley, D., Jones, N., Smith, D., Burke, B., Chandrasekaran, A., & Lu, C. (2019, October 21). Top 10 strategic technology trends for 2020 (ID: G00432920). Gartner. https://www.gartner.com
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Google. (n.d.). [Google Maps restaurants on Moody Street, Waltham, MA]. Retrieved July 17, 2020, from https://goo.gl/maps/hFy4KwLX8EHdhjru6
The specific agency responsible for the report appears as the author. The names of any parent agencies not present in the group author name appear in the source element as the publisher.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Autism spectrum disorder (NIH Publication 22-MH-8084). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/documents/health/publications/autism-spectrum-disorder/22-MH-8084-Autism-Spectrum-Disorder.pdf
* Note: See the Reports & White Papers box below for examples of reports not published by government agencies and white papers.
Fernandez, C. (2019, November). Medical & recreational marijuana stores (US Specialized Industry Report OD4142). IBISWorld. https://www.ibisworld.com/
Hyland, S. (2020, May). Hotels & motels in the US (US Industry NAICS Report 72111). IBISWorld. https://www.ibisworld.com/
IBISWorld. (2020, May). Number of college students (US Business Environment Profiles Report F601). https://www.ibisworld.com/
eMarketer. (2022, July). B2B digital ad spending, US, 2020-2024 [Chart]. Insider Intelligence. https://www.emarketer.com/
Enberg , J. (2022, August 23). Influencer marketing 2022. Insider Intelligence. https://www.emarketer.com/
MarketLine. (2020, January 30). General Mills Inc. [Company profile]. Business Source Complete.
MarketLine. (2019, April). Bakery & cereals in the United States [Industry profile]. Business Source Complete.
MarketLine. (2022, July 22). Ford Motor Company SWOT analysis. [SWOT analysis]. Business Source Complete.
Annual Reports
Target. (2000, January 29). Form 10-K. Mergent Archives. https://www.mergentarchives.com/
Commodity Yearbook
Commodity Research Bureau. (2018). The CRB Commodity Yearbook 2018.
First Research Industry Profile
Dun & Bradstreet First Research. (2020, April 27). Drug stores [Industry profile]. Mergent Archives. https://www.mergentarchives.com/
D&B Industry Norms and Key Business Ratios
Dun & Bradstreet. (2018). SIC 5812 Eating places [Industry ratios]. In Industry norms and key business ratios.
Mergent Manual
Mergent. (2018). Dell Technologies. In Mergent OTC Unlisted Manual.
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Company information
Deutsche Bank. (2020, March 3). Form 20-F. Mergent Intellect. https://www.mergentintellect.com/
Mergent. (n.d.) Tesla, Inc.: Company description. Mergent Intellect. Retrieved April 4, 2020, from https://www.mergentintellect.com/
Custom Search
Mergent. (n.d.). [Advanced company search: Geography U.S. - top 10 metropolitan areas; number of employees 1,000+; annual growth 5%+; industry classifications manufacturing, wholesale trade, information, finance, insurance, scientific/technical services, and management] [Data]. Mergent Intellect. Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://www.mergentintellect.com/
Demographic Information
Claritas. (2020). Pop-facts: Demographic trend report - Middlesex county [Data]. Mergent Intellect. Retrieved July 27, 2020, from https://www.mergentintellect.com/
First Research Industry Profiles
Dun & Bradstreet First Research. (2020, April 27). Drug stores [Industry profile]. Mergent Intellect. https://www.mergentintellect.com/
KBR (Key Business Ratios):
Dun & Bradstreet. (n.d.). SIC 7997 Membership sports and recreation clubs: Industry quartile data [Industry Ratios]. Mergent Intellect. Retrieved July 15, 2020, from https://www.mergentintellect.com/
Dun & Bradsteet. (n.d.). Southwest Airlines [Company Ratios]. Mergent Intellect. Retrieved July 15, 2020, from https://www.mergentintellect.com/
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Company and Industry Information
Mergent. (n.d.). Apple, Inc.: Ownership [Company profile]. Mergent Online. Retrieved July 19, 2020, from https://mergentonline.com/
Mergent. (2020, March). Technology: North America [Industry profile]. Mergent Online. https://mergentonline.com/
Mergent. (2020, August 6). Apple, Inc.: Mergent fundamental report. Mergent Online. Retrieved August 7, 2020, https://mergentonline.com/
Country Reports
Dun & Bradstreet. (2020, March). Country insight report: Ghana. Mergent Online. https://mergentonline.com/
Mergent. (2019) . Country profile: Ghana. Mergent Online. https://mergentonline.com/
Government Filings
Apple Inc. (2020, July 31). Form 10-Q. Mergent Online. https://mergentonline.com/
Investext & Broker Research Reports
J. P. Morgan. (2020, August 3). Payments: Interesting chess move by Apple buying Mobeewave to turn iPhones into POS devices. Mergent Online. https://mergentonline.com/
MarketLine. (2020, June). Apple, Inc.: MarketLine strategy, SWOT and corporate finance report. Mergent Online. https://mergentonline.com/
Zacks. (2020, July 28). Apple, Inc.: Zacks company report. Mergent Online. https://mergentonline.com/
Owen, J. (2023). Pet food - US - 2023. Mintel. https://www.mintel.com/
Dubina, L. (2023, June 16). Marketing to LGBTQ+ communities in today's divisive climate. Mintel. https://www.mintel.com/
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Experian. (2022). Type G25: Urban edge. Mosaic USA. Retrieved August 19, 2023, from https://link.gale.com/apps/DNOW
Crosstabs
Note: Because it would be very difficult to provide a title that describes all of the variables included in a custom crosstab analysis, simply list the name of the study used as the title.
Catalyst platform:
MRI-Simmons. (2021). 2021 Fall MRI-Simmons USA [Data set]. MRI-Simmons Catalyst. https://www.mrisimmons.com/
MRI-Simmons. (2021). 2021 Fall MRI-Simmons Connect [Data set]. MRI-Simmons Catalyst. https://www.mrisimmons.com/
Insights platform:
MRI-Simmons. (2020). Fall 2020 NHCS adult study 12 month [Data set]. MRI-Simmons Insights. https://www.mrisimmons.com/
MRI-Simmons. (2019). Fall 2019 Simmons Connect Plus [Data set]. MRI-Simmons Insights. https://www.mrisimmons.com/
Quick Reports
Catalyst platform:
MRI-Simmons. (2021). Demographic profile quick report: Theme parks - visited in last 12 months- Walt Disney World (Florida) - Magic Kingdom (2021 Fall MRI-Simmons USA) [Data set]. MRI-Simmons Catalyst. https://www.mrisimmons.com/
MRI-Simmons. (2021). Social media activity profile quick report: Sparkling water/seltzer - type/total users drank in last 6 Months - flavored (2021 Fall MRI-Simmons Connect) [Data set]. MRI-Simmons Catalyst. https://www.mrisimmons.com/
Insights platform:
MRI-Simmons. (2020). Demographic profile quick report: Fast food restaurants visit most often Dunkin' Donuts (Fall 2020 NHCS adult study 12 month) [Data set]. MRI-Simmons Insights. https://www.mrisimmons.com/
MRI-Simmons. (2019). Social media profile quick report: National Football League (NFL) very interested (Fall 2019 Simmons Connect Plus study) [Data set]. MRI-Simmons Insights. https://www.mrisimmons.com/
Note: If the article is from a news website that does not have an associated daily or weekly newspaper (e.g. MSNBC, CNET), use the format for a webpage on a news website instead.
Newspaper article retrieved from the newspaper's website:
Bradsher, K. (2023, July 20). Why heat waves are deepening China’s addiction to coal. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/20/business/china-coal-climate-change.html
Newspaper article from print version or from print edition retrieved via a library database (e.g. ProQuest US Newsstream database):
Bradsher, K. (2023, July 21). Heat waves deepen China's dependence on coal. The New York Times, B1.
Stein, J., & Bhattarai, A. (2023, July 28). Recession fears ease as GDP growth beats forecast. The Washington Post, A1, A13.
Newspaper article that is retrieved via a library database that is missing page numbers:
Weisman, R. (2023, Jul 13). No more outsourcing? Making drugs locally is a key focus of the life sciences industry. The Boston Globe.
LexisNexis company dossiers pull together information from different sources, some published by LexisNexis (e.g. Corporate Affiliations) and some from outside publishers (e.g. Gale, Morningstar, MarketLine). Cite the publisher of the information you used. Articles retrieved from LexisNexis Academic are cited according the guidelines for Article Without a DOI, from an Academic Database or Print Version as shown in above on this page.
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Company Dossiers/Company Info search
Comparably. (July 31, 2020). The TJX Companies, Inc. Nexis Uni. https://www.lexisnexis.com/
LexisNexis. (2019, November 18). Amazon [Company profile]. Corporate Affiliations. https://www.lexisnexis.com/
Weiss Ratings. (2020, June 23). VMware Inc. Weiss Stock Research Reports. Nexis Uni. https://www.lexisnexis.com/
Create a Company list
LexisNexis. (n.d). [List of Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Massachusetts]. Retrieved August 5, 2020, from https://www.lexisnexis.com/
Part of the purpose of a reference is to lead your reader back to the source you used, but in some cases a source may not be retrievable. (e.g. private letters and email, personal conversations, phone calls, interviews and unrecorded webinars). These sources are treated as personal communications.
Because they do not provide recoverable data, personal communications are not included in the reference list. Cite personal communications in-text only. The in-text citation should include the initials and last name of the person and the date of the communication.
Examples of in-text citations for a personal communication:
J. Smith (personal communication, January 5, 2020) described how his company connected with customers through storytelling.
One of the key ways that a brand can connect with customers is through storytelling (J. Smith, personal communication, January 5, 2020).
Note about retrieval dates: Include a retrieval date in the reference if the work is unarchived and designed to change over time.
Plunkett, J. W., Plunkett, M. B., Steinberg, J. S., Faulk, J., & Snider, I. J. (n.d.). GrubHub Inc. [Company profile]. Plunkett Research Online. Retrieved August 7, 2020, from http://www.plunkettresearchonline.com
Note: we recommend including a retrieval date for the industry information because it is not archived.
Plunkett, J. W., Plunkett, M. B., & Snider, I. J. (2020, March 18). The sharing & gig economy's effect on employment, work life and careers. Sharing Economy Industry. Plunkett Research Online. Retrieved August 7, 2020, from http://www.plunkettresearchonline.com
Raz, G. (Host). (2016-present). How I built this with Guy Raz [Audio podcast]. NPR. https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this
Favreau, J., Lovett, J., & Vietor, T. (Hosts). (2020, June 1). Justice for George Floyd [Audio podcast episode]. In Pod Save America. Crooked Media. https://crooked.com/podcast/justice-for-george-floyd/
PowerPoint slides available online
Ogilvy Consulting. (2020, January 26). What's next: Social media trends 2020 [Slides]. Slideshare. https://www.slideshare.net/socialogilvy/whats-next-social-media-trends-2020
PowerPoint Slides and documents posted on your Brightspace course site
If the slides come from a classroom website, learning management system (e.g., Brightspace) or company intranet that your reader can access, provide the name of the site and its URL (use the login page URL for sites requiring login). If the audience for which are you writing does not have access to the documents, cite them as a personal communication.