What is the format for referencing a journal article in APA style?

The chosen answer correctly follows the APA style format for referencing a journal article. In APA format, the citation structure begins with the author's last name followed by the initials of the first and middle names (if applicable). After the author's name, there is a year of publication placed in parentheses, which is essential as it indicates the timeliness of the research.

The title of the article is presented in sentence case, meaning only the first word of the title and any proper nouns are capitalized. This is followed by the title of the journal, which is italicized and presented in title case, meaning that all major words are capitalized. This differentiation helps readers easily identify the source type. The citation is completed with the volume number, which is also italicized, and the issue number in parentheses (not italicized) directly following the volume number. Finally, the page range is included, indicating the specific pages where the article can be found.

This format ensures clarity and consistency, which are key components of APA style, enabling readers to locate the source efficiently.