How to Cite a Dataset in ASA (7th Edition)

This guide explains how to format a dataset citation in ASA (7th Edition). Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a dataset in ASA (7th Edition):

Template

Author, First Name or Organization. Year. "Title of Dataset." Version. Distributor/Repository. Retrieved Month Day, Year (URL or DOI).

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

(World Bank 2023)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

World Bank. 2023. "World Development Indicators." The World Bank Group. Retrieved March 28, 2026 (https://doi.org/10.57966/0bg5-6z29).

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the creator
Use the full name of the person or organization. Invert individual names: Last, First.
2
Add the year
Write the year of publication, followed by a period.
3
Write the dataset title
Place the title in quotation marks with headline-style capitalization.
4
Add the distributor
Name the repository or organization that distributes the dataset.
5
Include retrieval date and URL
Write 'Retrieved' followed by the date, then the URL or DOI in parentheses.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not using the ASA 'Retrieved Date (URL)' format.
Using initials instead of full first names for individual creators.
Forgetting to place the dataset title in quotation marks.
Omitting the distributor or repository name.
Placing the URL outside parentheses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ASA place dataset titles in quotation marks or italics?

ASA places shorter work titles in quotation marks. For datasets treated as stand-alone publications, you may italicize instead, but quotation marks are the safer choice.

How does ASA handle the URL format?

ASA uniquely places the URL in parentheses after the retrieval date: Retrieved March 28, 2026 (https://...). This applies to all online sources.

Do I include the version number?

Yes. If the dataset has multiple versions, include the version number after the title for reproducibility.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your dataset:

Author/Creator
Title
Version
Publisher/Repository
Year
DOI/URL

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Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the creator

Use the full name of the person or organization. Invert individual names: Last, First.

Add the year

Write the year of publication, followed by a period.

Write the dataset title

Place the title in quotation marks with headline-style capitalization.

Add the distributor

Name the repository or organization that distributes the dataset.

Include retrieval date and URL

Write 'Retrieved' followed by the date, then the URL or DOI in parentheses.