Which element is essential in an APA-style reference list entry?

In an APA-style reference list entry, the year of publication is essential because it provides readers with a clear context of when the work was produced. This temporal marker is crucial for evaluating the relevance and currency of the information presented. When readers are assessing the credibility of sources, knowing the publication year helps them to understand how recent the research or ideas are, which can influence the interpretation of the findings.

Including the year also aligns with APA guidelines, which emphasize the importance of recent research in many fields, particularly the sciences and social sciences, where knowledge and theories can evolve rapidly. Other factors, such as the author's social media accounts or the abstract of the work, do not belong in a reference list entry as they do not provide standard bibliographic information required for proper citation. Similarly, the publisher's physical location is no longer a required element of APA references in the latest guidelines, emphasizing the shift towards more relevant information like the publication year.