How do I reference an entire database? (APA)
Answer
In most cases, you will be referencing the information found within a database (a journal article, report, book chapter, image etc.), rather than the database itself. If you are referencing a source you have found on a database, identify the source, and follow the referencing guidance on the A-Z page. For example, data from FAME, Mintel, or Statista can be referenced as a report or an image, depending on the information used. Journal articles found on Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, SCOPUS etc. will be referenced as journal articles.
You may be required to mention that you have used a database, for example, in your methodology when writing a dissertation. As you are simply stating that you used a database, rather than citing the information within the database, no APA reference is usually needed (see Example 1).
However, some subject areas may require a reference in this circumstance - please check with your tutor if you are unsure. If in doubt, provide a reference using the format for software and apps (see Example 2).
Example 1
CINAHL, PsycInfo and Academic Search Complete were used to search for relevant literature.
Example 2
In-text citation
Literature searches were conducted using CINAHL (EBSCOHost, n.d.).
Reference list
EBSCOHost. (n.d.). CINAHL Ultimate [Database]. EBSCO Publishing. https://web.p.ebscohost.com/ehost/search/advanced?vid=0&sid=8f4a53b4-2170-4aff-aa2c-a4dbfe3704e7%40redis
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