LibGuides: APA 7th Edition Referencing Guide1: Retrieval dates (postgrads)

Retrieval dates for non-archived webpages

When referencing non-archived webpages (webpages that are designed to change) in your work, you will need to include a retrieval date with the URL. To determine if a page is archived or non-archived, check for a permalink button. If a permalink is available, the page is archived and does not require a retrieval date.

The following resources require retrieval dates:

A webpage continually updated with new data (e.g., a population clock).

UpToDate articles (and some other medical resources where information is likely to be regularly updated)

Online dictionary/encyclopedia entries

Online maps (e.g., Google Maps)

Social media (e.g. Twitter profile or Facebook page)

Tips

If a webpage is likely to change (e.g., one that invites user-editing or is updated with new data), it is likely to be unarchived and to require a retrieval date when referencing.

If a webpage links to its 'version history', this indicates the webpage is designed to change and will likely require a retrieval date when referencing.

A webpage with no date (n.d.) is more likely to change than one with a clear publication date.

See Chapter 10 (Reference Examples) of the Publication Manual for examples of web resources that require a retrieval date when referencing.

Examples

The example below shows how to include a retrieval date when required.

Reference list entry

StatsNZ. (2019, November 14). Estimated population of NZ. Retrieved 20 January, 2020, from https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/population-of-nz

In-text citations

Narrative
StatsNZ (2019) shows that ... (para. 2).

Parenthetical
... (StatsNZ, 2019, para. 2).

Note
Only include the retrieval date in the full reference list entry; it is not necessary to include the retrieval date in in-text citations.