Which punctuation is used to separate elements within an APA reference list entry?

In APA style, the correct punctuation used to separate elements within a reference list entry is the period. This punctuation is essential for delineating the various parts of the reference, such as the author, publication year, title, and source information. Each major component of the reference is typically followed by a period, which helps to clearly indicate the end of one piece of information and the beginning of another. This structured approach ensures that references are formatted consistently, allowing readers to easily navigate and locate the cited works.

While commas are used in specific contexts within references, such as separating multiple authors' names or distinguishing certain elements within a part of the citation, the primary function of separating the main elements is fulfilled by periods. Other punctuation marks like semicolons and colons serve different purposes in writing and citation formatting, making them unsuitable for this specific function in the context of APA reference entries.