What is the purpose of using brackets in an APA reference list?

Using brackets in an APA reference list serves the purpose of indicating non-routine information that is crucial for the identification of a work. This may include details such as the type of publication, specific editions, or any other relevant information that helps to distinguish the work from others or provides essential context. This practice ensures that readers have access to pertinent information without cluttering the citation with extraneous details.

In contrast, highlighting the title of a work typically does not involve brackets; titles are formatted in italics or quotation marks as per APA guidelines. Clarifying an author's qualifications is usually achieved through other means, such as author notes or biographical information rather than through brackets. Lastly, while related works may be discussed in the text or footnotes, they are not listed within the citation of a specific reference, meaning that brackets would not be used for this purpose in a reference list.