Thesis writer's guide

Here at KAMK we use American Psychology Association's citing style APA7. 

References provide the information necessary for readers to identify and retrieve each work cited in text. Referencing the sources you have used in your text is an important step in a writing process. Check each reference carefully against the original publication to ensure information is accurate and complete. Accurately prepared references help establish your credibility as a careful researcher and writer Also by referencing the sources you used indicates that your arguments are clearly supported by evidence.

References are organized by author's last name in alphabetic order.

We have gathered the most common examples how to cite your work to this LibGuide but more examples and information about APA7 you can find on https://apastyle.apa.org.

References consist of two parts: the in-text citation and its counterpart in the reference list. In-text citations point to the reference list, where the reader can find the full details of the source. A reference tells the reader whose information is being cited, and when writing, you must clearly distinguish your own thinking from the information obtained from source material.

Figure 1. Example of a reference list entry in APA7 style

A reference entry fundamentally answers four questions:

• Who? Author(s) or organization.

• When? Year of publication.

• What? Title of the work.

• Where? Publisher.

References are required for both direct quotations and paraphrased passages. The in-text citation is placed in parentheses at the end of the section being cited, but it cannot extend across paragraph boundaries. Each paragraph with quoted material must contain a reference, even if the same source was cited in the previous paragraph. References are also required for, e.g., oral communications, figures, or tables.

If the year of publication is unknown, use n.d. in the in-text citation and N.d. in the reference list.

In the reference list, entries are alphabetized by the first author’s surname. If there are multiple works by the same author, list the oldest first. If the author is an organization, its full name is written in the reference list.

The title of the work/publication may be italicized or not italicized.

The citation is placed in parentheses after the cited passage, usually at the end of the sentence or paragraph. Use references for both paraphrases and direct quotations. In-text citations include: author’s surname, year of publication, comma, page number(s). If referring to an entire work, page numbers are omitted. Electronic sources may not have page numbers—if so, leave them out.

Figure 2. Example of an in-text citation in APA7 style.

If the publication year is unknown, use n.d. in the in-text citation and N.d. in the reference list.

If the reference applies only to the immediately preceding sentence, the period goes outside the parentheses:
Vision must go beyond narrow business goals (Wilenius, 2016, 155).

If the reference applies to several preceding sentences, the period goes before the parentheses.
The company needs a vision that motivates employees. The vision must go beyond narrow business goals. (Wilenius, 2016, 155)

Always include page numbers in in-text citations.

• To cite different pages from the same source: separate page numbers with a comma.

• To cite a continuous range: use an en dash.

Every researcher has a duty to comply with data protection laws (Kuula, 2006, pp. 64, 72).

Autobiographical writing helps structure the present (Vilkko, 1990, pp. 20–37).

If a source has no page numbers (e.g., some e-books), cite the chapter instead.

The work of other researchers must be considered and it must be respected. (Vilkka, 2021, chapter 2)

Separate sources with a semicolon. The order may be alphabetical, chronological, or by importance—but be consistent.

(Mäntyneva, 2016, p. 19; Nieto-Rodriguez, 2021, 72–73.)

When referring to several publications by the same author, the publications are listed in chronological order, and the years are separated by commas.

Hirsjärvi’s works provide guidelines for research reporting (1997, 2007, 2009).

If specific pages of the sources are cited, the publications are separated by semicolons.

Hirsjärvi’s works provide guidelines for research reporting (1997, 59; 2007, 62; 2009, 61–62).

When referring to several publications by the same author from the same year, the publications are distinguished with lowercase letters. In the reference list, the publications are arranged alphabetically according to the title of the works.

(Kortelainen, 2018a, 111)
(Kortelainen, 2018b, 201)

If the year of publication is unknown, the information is marked in the same way as above. In the reference list, the publications are arranged alphabetically by the title of the works.

(Business Finland, N.d.a)
(Business Finland, N.d.b)

The order of works by the same author in the reference list is: N.d. sources first, followed by dated sources in chronological order, starting with the oldest.

Helsingin kaupunki. (N.d.).
Helsingin kaupunki. (2019).
Helsingin kaupunki. (2022).

As a rule, the original source in which the matter was first presented should be used. A secondary source may contain errors in interpretation.

If, however, the original source is not available, the citation should refer to the work from which the quotation was taken, and the original source should be mentioned in the text itself. Only the source that the writer has actually used is included in the reference list.

According to Heikkinen (2010, 42), Allender et al. (2006)…

Heikkinen, T. (2010). Ikääntyvien suomalaisten fyysinen aktiivisuus ja siihen vaikuttavia tekijöitä [Physical activity of aging Finns and factors affecting it]. Doctoral dissertation. University of Eastern Finland. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-61-0270-2

   Short quotations 

When you are quoting the exact words of someone else, use quotation marks.

When quoting directly, always provide the author, year and page number of the quotation in either the parenthetical or narrative format.  

For example:

It is important to clearly state your research questions in your work. According to Johnson (2013) the research questions, if articulated well, can "direct the design, sample, data-collection tools, and also the analysis procedures to be used" (62).

   Long quotations (40 words or multiple rows)

When you wish to quote a longer text use blockquote. They do not need the quotation marks, but have to indent the text and insert the in-text citations normally.

For example:

Nieto-Rodriguez (2021) explains that:

People have enormous strengths, and the best leaders know that it is possible to tap into these strengths through their hearts. When a project they work on connects to their inner purpose and passions, they can achieve extraordinary things. Remember that people don't have to have to be great at something to be passionate. (75)

If there are two authors, both authors are always listed. In the text, use the word and between the authors’ names, but in parentheses use the ampersand (&).

(Taylor & Francis, 2013, 130)

Taylor and Francis (2013, 130) state…

In the reference list, both authors are included.

Taylor, B., & Francis, K. (2013). Qualitative Research in the Health Sciences: Methodologies, Methods and Processes. Taylor & Francis.

If there are three or more authors, when citing for the first time you may mention only the first author, followed by et al.

(Saldana et al., 2011, 139)

In the reference list, all authors are always included.

Saldana, J., Leavy, P., & Beretvas, N. (2011). Fundamentals of Qualitative Research. Oxford University Press.

If there are more than 21 authors, list the surnames and initials of the first 19 authors, then add an ellipsis (…) in parentheses, followed by the last author.

McNabb, S., Harrison, T., Albanes, D., Berndt, S., Brenner, H., Caan, B., Campbell, P., Cao, Y., Chang-Claude, J., Chan, A., Chen, Z., English, D., Giles, G., Giovannucci, E., Goodman, P., Hayes, R., Hoffmeister, M., Jacobs, E., Joshi, A., (…) Peters, U. (2020). Meta-analysis of 16 studies of the association of alcohol with colorectal cancer. International Journal of Cancer, 146(3), 861–873. https://doi.org/10.1002/IJC.32377

If the author is an organization with an abbreviation, the full name of the organization is used the first time it is cited.

(Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos [THL], 2022, 10)

Later citations of the same source may use the abbreviation.

(THL, 2022, 14)

In the reference list, always use the full name of the organization, institution, or agency, not the abbreviation.

Terveyden ja hyvinvoinninlaitos [THL]. (2022). HYTEAIRO: Hyvinvoinnin tekoäly ja robotiikka -ohjelma. Terveyden ja hyvinvoinninlaitos. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022021619558 

The reference should indicate the original work. In the reference list, add in brackets the audiobook service and the year the recording was made. Page numbers are not required, as they are generally not provided in audio recordings.

(Hirsjärvi, 2007)

Hirsjärvi, S. (2007). Tutki ja kirjoita [audio]. Tammi. [Celia Audiobook Service, 2007].

The in-text citation consists of the authors, the year of publication, and the page numbers you are referring to in the text.

(Marttunen et al., 2014, 144)

In the reference list for articles, the author(s) are followed by the year of publication in parentheses. Then the article title, the journal name, volume (issue number of the current year), page numbers of the article, and any permanent link. The article can always be cited according to the print version.

Halonen, M. (2020). Yhden kevään yksinäisyys. Suomen lääkärilehti, 75(20), 1256.

Kollanus, V., Lanki, T., & Kosonen, R. (2022). Helle ja ilmastonmuutos asumisterveyden näkökulmasta. Ympäristö ja Terveys, 53(5), 46–51. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022092760254

Wister, A., Fyffe, I., & O’Dea, E. (2021). Technological interventions for loneliness and social isolation among older adults: a scoping review protocol. Systematic Reviews, 10(1), 1–7. https://www.doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01775-6

Note: In the reference list, include the full page range of the article.

Always check whether the e-article or other online publication has a permanent link. Permanent links can be found, for example, in theses, Julkari publications, and many international articles. The web address should not be activated.

When using a permanent link, do not use the “Retrieved date, from” notation.

An article or other publication can always be cited in the reference list according to the print version.

A reference to an article published in a journal is formed from the author’s name, year of publication, and page number(s).

(Vilkka & Ylöstalo, 2016, 103)

(Linna, 2015, 11; Lehtinen, 2014, 296–297)

In the reference list, include the author’s name, year of publication, article title, journal name, possible volume, issue number or date, and the page number(s) of the article. Journals do not always list a volume; in that case, the issue number is sufficient. If a permanent link is available, use it. A web address does not need to be included for a journal that is also published in print. The web address should not be activated.

Vilkka, H., & Ylöstalo, H. (2016). Tarinoilla tasa-arvoon? Narratiivisten menetelmien mahdollisuuksia kriittisessä toimintatutkimuksessa. Aikuiskasvatus, 36(2), 99–108. https://doi.org/10.33336/aik.88483

Linna, A.-K. (2015). Artikkelina julkaistava opinnäyte haastaa opinnäytteiden sähköisen julkaisujärjestelmän. Signum (2), 10–12. Retrieved 27.04.2022, from https://journal.fi/signum/article/view/53353/16620

Lehtinen, E. (2014). Uutta tietoa opinnäytteen kirjoittamiseen liittyvistä vuorovaikutustilanteista. Virittäjä, 118(2), 296–298.

When citing a newspaper article, refer to the author’s name if one is provided. Include the publication year, and for printed newspapers, the page number.

In the reference list, include the article’s author, year, article title, newspaper name, publication date, and, if applicable, page number(s) or “Retrieved” information with the URL.

(Paukku, 2022)

Paukku, H. (2022). Tekoäly voi muokata verkkokuvaasi niin, että näytät yhä kivemmalta ja fiksummalta. Helsingin Sanomat, 10.5.2022. Retrieved 16.5.2022, from https://www.hs.fi/tiede/art-2000008772623.html

For a blog post, use the year in the in-text citation, but in the reference list, include the full publication date of the blog post. In square brackets after the blog post title, indicate [blog post], and before the “Retrieved” information, include the blog name.

(Raevaara, 2022)

Raevaara, T. (14.5.2022). Tutkija, kyllä sinä vaikutat! [blog post]. Tarinoita tieteestä. Retrieved 16.5.2022, from https://suomenkuvalehti.fi/tarinoitatieteesta/tutkija-kylla-sina-vaikutat/

Electronic sources can be openly accessible to everyone or publications that the library has purchased access to. Materials from the library’s subscription databases require logging in with KamIT credentials.

In general, electronic sources are cited in the same way as printed sources. If the source has no personal author, the citation is built using the name of an organization or the page title. If the document clearly shows a publication date, it should be included in both the in-text citation and the reference list. In addition to the organization’s name, the page used for the citation should also be indicated.

Electronic sources in the reference list

Links to electronic sources are placed at the end of the reference entry without a period. Before the link, include the information “Retrieved.” For websites where the content may change over time, indicate the date when the information was accessed. If the publication has a permanent identifier, such as a DOI, a retrieval date is not needed. Do not activate hyperlinks.

If the material is in a database and/or requires separate login, provide the publication’s permanent address or the path to the database from which the publication was retrieved.

Examples of articles from databases

(May et al., 2022)

May, S., Bruch, D., Gehlhaar, A., Linderkamp, F., Stahlhut, K., Heinze, M., Allsop, M. & Muehlensiepen, F. (2022). Digital technologies in routine palliative care delivery: an exploratory qualitative study with health care professionals in Germany. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1), 1516. https://www.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08802-9

(Winger et al., 2022, 8–10)

Winger, A., Früh, E. A., Holmen, H., Kvarme, L. G., Lee, A., Lorentsen, V. B., Misvær, N., Riiser, K. & Steindal, S. A. (2022). Making room for life and death at the same time – a qualitative study of health and social care professionals’ understanding and use of the concept of paediatric palliative care. BMC Palliative Care, 21(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-022-00933-4

If a source is openly available on the web, choose the most precise URL that opens the source directly. If the source has a permanent link, use that. If the publication year is not available, use the notation n.d. You can choose either of the following formats:

Option 1:
Website name. Year. Organization. Retrieved [date] from [URL].

Option 2:
Organization. Year. Page title. Retrieved [date] from [URL].

The “Retrieved” information is not used if the publication has a permanent link. Do not activate the URL.

Example of an open web source:

(Kulttuurimatkailu, n.d.)

Kulttuurimatkailu. (n.d.). Business Finland. Retrieved 6.5.2022 from https://www.businessfinland.fi/suomalaisille-asiakkaille/palvelut/matkailun-edistaminen/tuotekehitys-ja-teemat/kulttuurimatkailu

or

(Business Finland, n.d.)

Business Finland. (n.d.). Kulttuurimatkailu. Retrieved 6.5.2022 from https://www.businessfinland.fi/suomalaisille-asiakkaille/palvelut/matkailun-edistaminen/tuotekehitys-ja-teemat/kulttuurimatkailu

If a source is available, for example, on an organization’s internal intranet, indicate this in the “Retrieved” information, and do not include the source’s URL.

Keränen, T. (n.d.). KAMK Communications. Retrieved 3.1.2023, from KAMK intranet.

An in-text citation to a thesis is formed from the author’s name, the year of publication, and the page number. If the entire work is being referenced, page numbers are not needed.

(Leppänen, 2015)

In the reference list, include the author’s last name, first initial, year of publication in parentheses, and the title of the thesis. Indicate that it is a thesis and the university at the end of the reference, before any URL. If the thesis is published as part of a publication series, include the series name and the publisher information as usual.

Korhonen, E. & Mannerjärvi, I. (2018). Henkilökohtainen asiakaspalvelu ja palvelupolku Vuokatissa. AMK thesis. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018082214606

Kari, J. (2016). Hyvä opettaja: luokanopettajaopiskelijat liikuntakokemustensa ja opettajuutensa tulkitsijoina. Doctoral dissertation. Studies in Sport, Physical Education and Health 233. University of Jyväskylä. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-39-6523-5

When citing legislation, indicate the official abbreviation of the law (which must be defined the first time it appears in the text), chapter, section, and subsection.

(Kirjanpitolaki [KPL] 3:9.2 §)

Later:

(KPL 3:9.2 §)

The correct spelling of statutory abbreviations can be checked in the Finlex or Edilex databases, in the Suomen laki reference works, or in the Suomen säädöskokoelma, e.g., https://www.edilex.fi/_internal/legislation-in-finnish/abbreviations.

In the reference list:

Kirjanpitolaki [KPL] 30.12.1997/1336. https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/1997/19971336

When citing a government decree, reference it by its full title:

(Valtioneuvoston asetus ammattikorkeakouluista 1129/2014, 2 §)

In the reference list:

Valtioneuvoston asetus ammattikorkeakouluista 1129/2014. https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2014/20141129

In-text citation:

When citing EU directives in the text, include the year and number of the directive.

(Directive year/number)

(Directive 2019/904)

Reference list:

In the reference list, include the year, number, title, and URL of the directive.

Directive year/number. Title. URL

Directive 2019/904. Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/904/oj

In the in-text citation, include the name of the declaration or convention, the year of adoption, and, if necessary, the article number.

(Human Rights Universal Declaration, 1948, Article 25)
(Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989)

In the reference list, include the name of the convention, the adoption date, and the URL. Universal conventions can be found at various online sources. If the convention has been ratified in Finland, it is also available through the Finlex service under international treaties.

Human Rights Universal Declaration. (10.12.1948). Retrieved xx.xx.xxxx from https://ihmisoikeusliitto.fi/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/YK_Ihmisoikeuksien-julistus.pdf

Convention on the Rights of the Child. (20.11.1989). https://www.finlex.fi/fi/sopimukset/sopsviite/1991/19910059?sopviite_id=19910059

When citing standards and cards, the in-text reference should include the card/standard number, year, and page.

(SFS 4424:2020, 2020, 14)
(PSK 2702, 2008, 23)

The reference list entry is formatted as follows: Standard/card number. (Year). Title. Publisher of the standard/card. URL

SFS 4424:2020. (2020). Marks for outdoor and physical activities. Finnish Standards Association. https://online.sfs.fi

PSK 2702. (2008). Procurement and painting of hot-dip galvanized steel structures. PSK Standardization. https://psk-standardisointi.fi/standardit/

When citing statistics, the in-text reference includes the author and year.

(Tilastokeskus, 2020)

In the reference list, include: Author. (Year). Title [type of source]. Retrieved date and URL.

Statistics Finland. (2020). Foreign nationals [statistics]. https://www.stat.fi/tup/maahanmuutto/maahanmuuttajat-vaestossa/ulkomaan-kansalaiset.html

Some databases, such as StatFin, Sotkanet, and the Natural Resources Institute, allow selecting specific variables for statistical summaries. In such cases, indicate the chosen variables in the reference list entry before the “Retrieved” information.

Statistics Finland. (2020). Monthly hotel capacity and overnight stays by municipality [statistics]. Selected variables: domestic overnight stays, foreign overnight stays, 2021–2022, Kuopio. Retrieved 3.1.2023 https://statfin.stat.fi/PxWeb/pxweb/fi/StatFin/StatFin__matk/statfin_matk_pxt_11lm.px/table/tableViewLayout1/

References to Current Care (Käypä hoito) guidelines should include the name of the guideline, the specific topic, and the year of publication. The full reference should also include the exact publication date in parentheses and the publisher of the guideline.

(Liikunta, 2016)

Liikunta. (2016). Current Care (Käypä hoito) guideline. Working group appointed by the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim and the Current Care Steering Group. Retrieved 28.2.2018, from http://www.kaypahoito.fi

To cite a lecture, use the lecturer’s last name and the year of the lecture.

(Jokinen, 2017)

Jokinen, R. (2017). Key concepts in information retrieval [lecture recording]. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences. Retrieved 23.12.2017, from KAMK intranet.

Webinar

For lecture recordings and webinars, provide sufficient information to allow the source to be located.

(Jäntti, 2022)

Jäntti, M. (18.2.2022). Digital Afternoon: Digital solutions for forestry [webinar]. KAMK. YouTube. Retrieved 3.8.2022, from https://youtu.be/taOnGdayYqg

For personal communications (e.g., phone calls, letters, emails), include the last name and the date:

(Alasalmi, 1.8.2018)

Alasalmi, K. (2018). Specialist nurse. Email, 1.8.2018.

(Rudawska, 2020, 110)

In the reference list:

For a conference publication, include the author, year, title of the paper, name of the conference, page numbers, and DOI.

Rudawska, A. (2020). Knowledge sharing and creativity: Individual and organizational perspective. In A. Zakrzewska-Bielawska & I. Staniec (Eds.), Contemporary challenges in cooperation and coopetition in the age of industry 4.0: 10th Conference on Management of Organizations' Development (MOD) (pp. 107–121). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30549-9_5

In the in-text citation, refer to either the author or, if the source is a podcast, treat the podcast as a corporate author and include the episode’s publication year.

(Lundberg, 2019)

In the reference list, format as: Author. Podcast release date. Episode title [podcast]. Podcast name, platform where the podcast is available. Retrieved date and URL.

Lundberg, T. (3.9.2019). Hyvät tunnetaidot auttavat lasta ja aikuista elämässä! [podcast]. Tiina Lundbergin huoltamo, Yle Areena. Retrieved 4.1.2023 https://areena.yle.fi/podcastit/1-50254226

For social media posts in general, include the author, publication date, source type, and the platform where the post is published.

Facebook
Use the first sentence of the Facebook post as the title in the reference list.

(Faktabaari, 2022)

Faktabaari. (30.9.2022). Faktantarkistus: Rintaliivit eivät aiheuta syöpää – miksi Googlen hakutulokset silti väittävät niin? [Facebook post]. Facebook. Retrieved 4.1.2023 https://www.facebook.com/faktabaari

Instagram
In the reference list, use the first sentence of the Instagram caption as the title.

(Nasa, 2022)

Nasa. (15.12.2022). We found “buried treasure,” and the Cosmic Cliffs mark the spot [Instagram post]. Instagram. Retrieved 4.1.2023 https://www.instagram.com/p/CmMXtU7up-R/

Twitter
Include the author, and in brackets the author’s handle. Use the first sentence of the tweet as the title, followed by the publication type in brackets, then the platform and retrieval information.

(Olympiakomitea, 2022)

Olympiakomitea [@olympiakomitea]. (21.12.2022). Lukiodiplomi ylioppilaskokeen rinnalla edistäisi liikunnan ja urheilun oppimista lukiokoulutuksessa ja tukisi huippu-urheilijan polulla olevan nuoren edellytyksiä suorittaa lukio-opinnot sekä kehittyä urheilijana [Tweet]. Twitter. Retrieved 5.1.2023 https://twitter.com/Olympiakomitea/status/1605544363836203010?cxt=HHwWhICz2fSFhcgsAAAA

Artificial intelligence is not a source of scientific knowledge. However, the use of AI must be reported.

The teacher provides guidance during the course on whether the use of AI applications is allowed.

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (March 14 version) [Large language model]. Used for language checking on 15.9.2023. https://chat.openai.com/.

(Baldur's Gate 3, 2023)

Record the game, with the release year in parentheses, the type of game (e.g., mobile game or video game) in square brackets, and the publisher. You can also indicate the game version.

Game. (Year). Game creator/developer (version). [type]. Publisher.

OR

Game creator/developer. (Year). Game title (version). [type]. Publisher.

Examples:

Baldur's Gate 3. (2023). [video game]. Larian Studios.

OR

Larian Studios. (2023). Baldur's Gate 3 (patch 4). [video game]. Larian Studios.

Fox, T. (2015). Undertale. [video game]. Fangamer.

(Saarinen, 2019)

(Slush, 2019)

For a YouTube recording, list the creator if it can be identified from the video. If no creator is listed, use the uploader as the author. The publication date is the date the webinar or video was posted. After the video title, indicate the format in brackets [video], followed by the YouTube channel name if it differs from the uploader, and the platform. Then include the “Retrieved” date and the URL.

Examples:

Saarinen, E. (1.3.2019). Paras versio itsestäsi [video]. Aalto University. YouTube. Retrieved 12.2.2020 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBzF89EuLE8

Slush. (12.12.2019). The Slush 2019 Aftermovie [video]. YouTube. Retrieved 12.2.2020 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdXHH2NK2YM

kirjastonopetus@kamk.fi

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