This summer new editions were published for both APA and MLA citation styles. Both have undergone some significant format changes that you should be aware of. The Libraries have published Quick Guides to both versions of each style. Please make sure your students know which edition you expect them to follow.
APA 6th Edition
The main change is the inclusion of the DOI (digital object identifier) which is a unique persistent number assigned to any digital object[LB1] (journal article, book chapter) to provide consistent access regardless of URL changes.
- If there is an assigned DOI, it is included even if it is a pdf
- If there is no DOI, the URL of the journal website is given even if the article was retrieved from a database
- Date of retrieval is no longer included unless the article is not the final version ie. a preprint
- [Electronic version] is no longer included in the reference
APA Style (5th) Quick Guide (pdf)
APA Style (6th) Quick Guide (pdf)
MLA 7th Edition
- Titles are no longer underlined, they are italicized
- URLs are no longer included
- A publication medium is required such as Print, Web, DVD or TV