How do I create a reference for journal without a DOI number?

Answer

A DOI number (Digital Object Identifier) is a unique URL used to quickly locate a specific resource online.  According to APA rules, if an article, ebook, or other resource has a DOI number, it must appear in the Source segment of the reference entry. A standard reference entry has these elements, in this order:

Author. (Date). Title. Source.

 

However, many articles do not have DOI numbers. If an article does not have a DOI number, use the article's permanent link from the library database (this is a Rasmussen rule, see below for more information). Use this URL in the Source segment of the reference entry.  For example:

Isak-Ercan, Z. (2017). Culturally appropriate positive guidance for young children. Young Children, 72(1),

15. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=ehh&AN=121665493&site=eds-live&custid=s9076023 

For more examples of how to cite journal articles both with and without a DOI, see our APA guide here: http://guides.rasmussen.edu/apa/articles


Rasmussen Rule: 

•According to Rule 9.34, "For works without DOIs from most academic research databases, do not include a URL or database information in the reference because these works are widely available....The reference should be the same as the reference for the print version of the work" (APA, 2020, p.299).
•APA does allow institutions to modify rules in some instances.  When a resource from a library database does not have a DOI and a permalink for that resource is available, the permalink is included in the source element of the reference.
 
References

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th

ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

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  • Last Updated Jun 24, 2020
  • Views 13706
  • Answered By Kerry Louvier

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