Types of sources. Look at the Directory to APA Style on p. 463 for guidelines on citing various types of sources—print books (or parts of print books), print periodicals (journals, magazines, and newspapers), and digital written-word sources (an online article or a book on an e-reader). A digital version of a source may include updates or corrections that the print version lacks, so it’s important to provide the correct information for readers. For sources that consist mainly of material other than written words—such as a film, song, or artwork—consult the “other sources” section of the directory. And if you can’t find a model exactly like the source you’ve selected, see the Checklist on p. 466.

articles from web and database sources. You need a subscription to look through most databases, so individual researchers almost always gain access to articles in databases through the computer system of a school or public library that pays to subscribe. The easiest way to tell whether a source comes from a database, then, is that its information is not generally available for free to anyone with an Internet connection. Many databases are digital collections of articles that originally appeared in edited print periodicals, ensuring that an authority has vouched for the accuracy of the information. Such sources often have more credibility than free material available on the Web.