Final answer:
In APA style, the most recent publication date should be used, and a retrieval date is recommended for sources that may change over time to ensure the information's relevancy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you're asking relates to the use of American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style in academic writing. In APA style, the dates associated with authors of sources should be the most recent date of publication available for the version you have used. Since timeliness of published material is a crucial aspect in social sciences, APA highlights authors and dates because it reflects on the relevancy and currency of the information.
If a student is using online sources that are not archived or may change over time, APA recommends the inclusion of a retrieval date in the reference entry. This should be placed at the end of the citation and formatted as follows: "Retrieved [Month Day, Year], from [URL]". While older sources may still be relevant, it's crucial to evaluate their usefulness based on the current study's requirements.