APA Style Guide

APA citations are particularly suitable for students, researchers, and professionals in the social sciences, including psychology, sociology, economics, education, and business, as well as in nursing and other health sciences. Established by the American Psychological Association, this citation style excels in areas requiring a straightforward, concise, and standardized method for referencing sources. It helps authors avoid plagiarism, lend credibility to their work, and provide readers with a coherent mechanism to locate source material. Given its widespread acceptance and application within these fields, individuals engaging in academic writing, research publications, or any scholarly activity that values precise documentation of sources should utilize APA citations to ensure their work adheres to the professional standards of their discipline.

Visit our Primo Research Guide if you have any questions.

• Begin your research with an initial search in Primo, and then explore subject-specific databases for more targeted results.
• Utilize Boolean search terms to enhance your search effectiveness: AND narrows results to those containing both search terms; OR expands results to include either search term (not necessarily both); and NOT eliminates results containing the specified term.
• Commence with a general search, refining it to become more specific as needed. If you possess a basic understanding of your desired focus, search using a broad term and narrow it down based on available resources.
• Examine the subject terms and keywords used in the articles you discover. If they appear relevant, consider incorporating them into your search terms. Should your results be too extensive, add supplementary search terms to refine your inquiry further.
• To search for a specific phrase, enclose it in quotation marks. This ensures the search engine looks for the exact phrase, rather than each word individually. For instance, searching "To be or not to be" will yield that precise phrase, rather than individual words.
• To locate a word or phrase within an article PDF, e-book, or webpage, use the CTRL and F keys to open a search box that scans the text within a document. Remember to maintain a formal tone and employ an informative writing style in English throughout your research process.

If you need more, check our advanced guide to Database Search Tips.