How should multiple works by the same author be listed in the reference section?

In the reference section of an APA formatted paper, when listing multiple works by the same author, the correct approach is to arrange the works in chronological order, from the earliest to the most recent publication. This method allows readers to see the development of the author's work over time, which can provide valuable context for understanding how their ideas or methodologies may have evolved.

Chronological ordering helps maintain a clear timeline of the author’s contributions to the field, making it easier for readers to identify the progression and relevance of each work. While ascending order of publication date and chronological order essentially convey the same concept, APA specifically emphasizes referencing in chronological sequence when multiple works by a single author are involved. Alphabetical listing by title would be inaccurate in such contexts since it disregards the temporal sequence important to contextualize the author’s scholarly development.

The approach of organizing by length does not align with APA’s guidelines and does not serve any practical purpose in enhancing the understanding of the author's body of work. Hence, the accurate method for listing multiple works by the same author is indeed to present them in chronological order, from the earliest to the most recent.