What is the correct order of elements in an APA reference list entry for a book?

The correct order of elements in an APA reference list entry for a book starts with the author, followed by the year of publication, then the title of the book, and finally the publisher's name. This format is essential in APA style as it organizes the information in a way that clearly identifies the authorship, the publication date, the work itself, and where one can find the book.

This structure allows readers to immediately ascertain who wrote the work, when it was published, the title of the work, and which publisher is associated with it. Following this format is crucial for maintaining consistency and clarity in academic writing, enabling readers to locate sources more easily.

In contrast, the other options present the elements in varying sequences that do not align with APA guidelines, leading to confusion and potential difficulties in source retrieval. The established order ensures that the most critical information is prioritized, fulfilling the standards of scholarly work.