Which type of source is NOT commonly included in an APA reference list?

The rationale for identifying text messages as a type of source that is not commonly included in an APA reference list stems from the nature of how APA guidelines categorize sources. In APA format, there are specific styles for various types of sources, such as books, journal articles, and unpublished dissertations, each with established formats for citation. These sources are typically formal publications, or they contain substantial research or scholarly content that aligns with academic standards.

Text messages, while they can hold significant information, are generally considered informal communication and do not fit into the traditional categories of academic sources. APA guidelines primarily emphasize documented, citable sources that conform to scholarly standards. Text messages are often viewed as too transient and not suitable for academic referencing unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as in qualitative research where personal communication is used as data.

Consequently, since text messages do not meet the criteria for typical sources included in an APA reference list, they are less common and generally not included in standard citations compared to the other source types listed.