The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is widely used in social sciences, education, and business fields. It provides a consistent format for citing sources, which helps authors avoid plagiarism and gives credit to the original authors of the ideas and research. APA citation style has undergone several updates, with the 7th edition being the most recent. Here, we will explore five ways to use APA citation, covering the basics of in-text citations, reference list entries, and the proper citation of different types of sources.
Understanding In-Text Citations
In-text citations are used to acknowledge the source of information within the text of a document. According to the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.), in-text citations typically include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example, a citation for a source written by John Doe in 2020 would appear as (Doe, 2020). If the source has two authors, both authors’ last names are included, separated by an ampersand (&) when in parentheses, such as (Doe & Smith, 2020). For sources with three or more authors, only the first author’s name is listed, followed by “et al.,” such as (Doe et al., 2020).
Citing Books and Book Chapters
Books and book chapters are common sources cited in APA style. A book citation includes the author’s last name, first initial, year of publication, book title (in title case and italicized), and publication information. For example, a book by John Doe published in 2020 would be cited as: Doe, J. (2020). The psychology of learning. New York, NY: Wiley. For a book chapter, the citation includes the chapter author’s name, year, chapter title (in title case and not italicized), book title (in title case and italicized), and page numbers. An example would be: Doe, J. (2020). Learning theories. In Education psychology (pp. 12-30). New York, NY: Routledge.
| Source Type | Citation Example |
|---|---|
| Book | Doe, J. (2020). The psychology of learning. New York, NY: Wiley. |
| Book Chapter | Doe, J. (2020). Learning theories. In Education psychology (pp. 12-30). New York, NY: Routledge. |
Citing Journal Articles and Online Sources
Journal articles are a primary source of information in many fields. When citing a journal article, the reference includes the author’s last name, first initial, year of publication, article title (in title case), journal title (in title case and italicized), volume number (in italics), issue number (in parentheses), and page numbers. For example: Doe, J. (2020). The impact of technology on education. Journal of Educational Psychology, 112(3), 456-467. For online sources, such as web pages or online articles, the citation includes the author’s name, year of publication, title of the page (in title case), title of the website (in title case and italicized), and the URL. An example would be: Doe, J. (2020, January 10). Education in the digital age. Retrieved from https://www.education.com/
Citing Conference Presentations and Dissertations
Conference presentations and dissertations are also important sources that require proper citation. For a conference presentation, the citation includes the author’s name, year, title of the presentation (in title case), title of the conference (in title case and italicized), and location of the conference. An example would be: Doe, J. (2020, March). Teaching in the 21st century. Paper presented at the National Education Conference, Chicago, IL. For a dissertation, the citation includes the author’s name, year, title of the dissertation (in title case and italicized), and the institution granting the degree. For example: Doe, J. (2020). The psychology of student motivation (Doctoral dissertation). Harvard University.
Key Points
- APA citation style is used for acknowledging sources in social sciences, education, and business fields.
- In-text citations typically include the author's last name and the year of publication.
- Reference list entries vary depending on the source type, including books, book chapters, journal articles, online sources, conference presentations, and dissertations.
- Consistency and accuracy in citation are crucial for maintaining academic integrity.
- The APA Publication Manual (7th ed.) provides detailed guidelines for citing different types of sources.
The APA citation style, with its detailed guidelines for various types of sources, helps authors give proper credit to the original sources of information, thus maintaining the integrity of academic and professional work. By understanding and applying these guidelines, researchers and writers can ensure that their work is accurate, reliable, and respectful of the contributions of others in their field.
What is the purpose of APA citation style?
+The APA citation style is used to acknowledge the sources of information in academic and professional writing, particularly in the social sciences, education, and business fields. It helps in avoiding plagiarism and gives credit to the original authors of ideas and research.
How do I cite a book in APA style?
+A book citation in APA style includes the author’s last name, first initial, year of publication, book title (in title case and italicized), and publication information. For example: Doe, J. (2020). The psychology of learning. New York, NY: Wiley.
What is the difference between a reference list and a bibliography?
+In APA style, a reference list includes only the sources that are cited in the text, whereas a bibliography may include all sources consulted during the research process, regardless of whether they are cited. The APA style guide recommends using a reference list.
