Encyclopedias and dictionaries aren’t the same thing. A Dictionary Entry defines a word and gives basics like spelling, origin, and usage. An Encyclopedia Article goes further. It explains the topic, offers context, and often cites sources. That’s why Harvard treats encyclopedia content more like a short chapter than a simple definition.
Pick any term, say cognition. A dictionary gives you a neat definition. An encyclopedia article might outline key debates, methods, and classic studies. That difference affects how you cite: article title, author (if named), editors (if listed), edition, and pages matter in Harvard Referencing Style.
Start With The Basics (What to Collect)
Grab these details before you format your in-text citation and reference list entry:
- Author of the article (if named). If not, use the article title.
- Year of publication or last update. If none, use n.d.
- Article title (usually in single quotes).
- Encyclopedia title (in italics), editors and edition if shown.
- Place and publisher for print.
- Viewed date and URL/DOI for Electronic Sources.
If your university’s Harvard guide has its own twist (punctuation, order, “ed.” vs “eds”), follow that. Consistency beats everything.
In-text Citations (Signed vs Unsigned)
Use the author–date pattern. Add page numbers when you quote or point to a specific spot.
- Signed article: (Smith 1999) or (Smith 1999, p. 9)
- No named author: (‘Cognition’ 2020) or (‘Cognition’ 2020, p. 103)
- No date: (‘Cognition’ n.d.), still add a viewed date in the reference list
Tip: If the article runs across multiple pages in print, use pp. (e.g., pp. 112–115).
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Reference List Templates
A) Print encyclopedia — signed article
Author Surname, Initial(s) Year, ‘Article title’, in Encyclopedia title, ed./eds Editor Initial(s) Surname, edition (if given), Publisher, Place, p. # / pp. #–#.
Example
Smith, J 1999, ‘Aung San Suu Kyi’, in Who’s Who in the Twentieth Century, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, p. 9.
B) Print encyclopedia — no named author
‘Article title’ Year, in Encyclopedia title, Publisher, Place, p. # / pp. #–#.
Example
‘Cognition’ 2020, in Cambridge Encyclopedia of Psychology, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 101–103.
C) Online encyclopedia — signed or unsigned
Author Surname, Initial(s) Year, ‘Article title’, in Encyclopedia title, edition (if given), Publisher, viewed Day Month Year, <URL>.
Examples
Wheeler, M 2020, ‘Extended mind’, in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, viewed 02 September 2025, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mind-extended/.
‘Cognition’ 2024, in Encyclopedia Britannica, viewed 02 September 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/cognition.
If a DOI is present, prefer the DOI link over a long URL.
Quick Two-Minute Checklist (Harvard Friendly)
- Article title in single quotes, encyclopedia title in italics.
- Use sentence case for titles unless your guide says otherwise.
- Include editions and editors when listed.
- Add viewed Day Month Year for online entries.
- Use n.d. when no year is shown, then include a viewed date.
- Match each in-text citation with one reference list entry.
Common Slip-ups
- Citing the whole book when you used one article. Cite the article you read.
- Dropping page numbers for print entries. Add p. or pp. where possible.
- Using a site copyright year as the article year. Use the article’s year or n.d.
- Inconsistent punctuation. Pick your Harvard variant and stick to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
To cite an encyclopedia article in Harvard style:
- Author(s) Last name, First initial. (Year). “Article Title.” In Encyclopedia Title, edition. Publisher. URL (if online).
- Example: Smith, J. (2023). “Climate Change.” In Encyclopedia of Environmental Science, 2nd ed. Green Publishing. [URL]
Cite the article you used. The encyclopedia title sits in italics after the article title.
Start with the article title. In-text: (‘Title’ Year). In the reference list, keep the same title first.
Use n.d. and include a viewed date.
Yes, if they’re listed. Use ed. for one editor, eds for more.
Yes. Add the viewed date and the URL (or DOI if available).
