When the URL is long or complex, you may use a short version of the URL.
Use a URL shortener site such as Bitly or TinyURL to create manageable URLs. See examples below:
Long URL
https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/2e5a7bd9-4465-4fb6-8fca-041f0c874cb7/13426.pdf.asp
Short URL
https://bit.ly/2rprcj5
*Both URL's will access the same document
Pattern for Web Page:
| Format |
Author, A. A. (Date). Title of web page. Publisher/Site sponsor name. URL Show the website date in the fullest form available When the author name and publisher name are the same, omit the publisher name from the reference In-text only use the author and Year (Nazarbayev University, 2019). |
| Examples |
Department of Education. (2020, November 11). Physical activity and health. Queensland Government. https://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/learning-at-home/physical-activity-and-health Grima, B. (2019, September 30). A 60,000-year-old cure for depression. BBC. http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20190929-a-60000-year-old-cure-for-depression Nazarbayev University. (2024). Ranking & accreditation. https://nu.edu.kz/about/accreditation NB: This pattern is also used for documents downloaded from websites, such as PDFs: The Learning Centre. (n.d.). Self study programs: Paraphrasing and plagiarism. James Cook University. https://bit.ly/3FngziL Queensland Health. (2016, July 26). Food allergies: General information and management guide. Queensland Government. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/662494/allergy_infomanagement.pdf Queensland Health. (2019, April 4). Influenza (The flu). Queensland Government. http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/media/pdf/14/217/82/influenza-the-flu-v24 |
If you are using information from a website or web document, you must cite it according to the instructions given above.
However, if you are simply referring to the fact that the website exists, then you include the URL for the home page in text, and you do not include an entry in your reference list.
For example:
Queensland Health maintains a website that offers advice on clinical practice (https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice). This can be a good resource for health workers.
Please note: This is only done when you are not using any information from the site. If you are not sure whether you can simply give the URL in text or cite the web resource with a proper in-text citation and an entry in your reference list, remember that your librarian is there to assist you. Don't hesitate to seek their guidance.
Author. (Date). Title. Name of website. URL
Grima, B. (2019, September 30). A 60,000-year-old cure for depression. BBC. http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20190929-a-60000-year-old-cure-for-depression