Reference works like encyclopedias are useful for introductory and background reading for early drafts, and they can help you formulate more complex research questions. Later drafts should rely on sources that go into more depth and specificity.
General Rules: Citing Reference Entries
In-text Citation: Information to Include
In-text citations and signal phrases can be woven into sentences and paragraphs in multiple ways, and what you emphasize depends on what information will be most relevant and/or persuasive to your reader. However, the following information should always be included:
Reference Citation: Information to Include
Title of entry. (date or n.d.). In Title of Reference Work in Italics. Retrieved date, from URL_but_not_active_hyperlink
Specific Example: Reference Entry Without an Author, for General Term/Topic Definition
In-text Citation Options
According to Investopedia (n.d.), the common definition of the term “trustee” as a person (or firm) who manages property or assets for a client has come under scrutiny recently.
The common definition of the term “trustee” as a person (or firm) who manages property or assets for a client has come under scrutiny recently (Investopedia, n.d.).
References Page Entry
Trustee. (n.d.). In Investopedia. Retrieved October 18, 2018, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/trustee.asp
Specific Example: Authored Encyclopedia or Reference Entry with a Date
In-text Citation Options
Investopedia defined “Free cash flow” (“FCF”) as the cash generated after accounting for “outflows to support operations and maintain capital assets” (Jagerson, 2019).
Free cash flow can be evaluated on a per share basis (Jagerson, 2019).
References Page Entry
Jagerson, J. A. (2019, May 20). Free cash flow. In Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/freecashflow.asp
Specific Example: Wikipedia Entry (APA has slightly different rules for Wikipedia)
If you are using Wikipedia, when possible, follow the footnote link to the original source, read it, and use that for evidence and citation. If you must cite Wikipedia, then the Publication Manual of the APA (2020) requires that you
Cite the archived version of the page so that readers can retrieve the version you used. Access the archived version on Wikipedia by selecting “View history” and then the time and date of the version you used. (p. 329)
In-text Citation Options
Wikipedia suggested that the rate of globalization has increased due to factors such as improvements in long-distance transportation and telecommunications (“Economic Globalization,” 2021).
The rate of globalization has increased due to factors such as improvements in long-distance transportation and telecommunications (“Economic Globalization,” 2021).
References Page Entry
Economic globalization. (2021, July 5). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Economic_globalization&oldid=1032056663