Writing & StyleStyle guide

Are Dataset Titles Italicized?

Yes in APA-style reference guidance for a data set: the data set title is italicized. Other citation systems can use different formatting. This is citation-style guidance, not a claim that every dataset name in prose or every citation system must be italicized.

Quick answer

Yes in APA-style reference guidance for a data set: the data set title is italicized. Other citation systems can use different formatting.

Key details

Core Issuedataset titles italicized
Registeracademic, institutional, professional, and style-governed writing
RuleAPA-oriented university guidance explicitly instructs writers to italicize data set titles in references.

Important caveats

Scope Boundary

This is citation-style guidance, not a claim that every dataset name in prose or every citation system must be italicized.

Further guidance

Recommendation

In an APA-style reference, italicize the title of the data set.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. APA Documentation (opens in a new tab)Colorado State University Writing Center · APA-oriented university guidance stating that data set titles are italicized in references.

Explore the topic