FAQS

Generally, a retrieval date is not included in a reference. According to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.), a retrieval date is needed in only a few instances.  The retrieval date is included when a website designed to change often (for example, weather.com and news websites) is cited and archived pages are not readily available (APA, 2020, p.290).   Some websites, such as Wikipedia, that change frequently have archived pages with stable links.  Include a retrieval date for these types of websites so that the reader knows which version is being cited.

If a retrieval date is included in the reference, it appears in the source element of the citation before the URL:

… Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://www.xxxxxx

If a website is static, the date the item was retrieved should not be included in the citation. The format and example of a reference for an article found on the internet is provided below:

If you are using NoodleTools, note that a pop-up box appears when you click the retrieval date section. That pop-up box says NOT to include a retrieval date unless the website will change regularly.

Reference

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000