The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th Edition) is a guideline for writing scholarly work. In addition to rules for presenting information, the guideline also contains rules for physical formatting of the scholarly work and the documentation of sources if the author has relied on them to construct the scholarly work. Documentation includes acknowledgements in the body of the work (in-text citations and narrative citations) and formal listing in a References section of the work (bibliographic citation). Each type of acknowledgment consists of correct placement of specific information in a specific order using specific physical formatting.
Think of this APA Citation Guide as a box filled with documentation recipes for all kinds of sources–books, magazines, websites, professional journals, and more.
Book (basic)
For books that are not reprints and do not have editors or corporate publishers, the most obvious ingredient that distinguishes one “recipe” from another is number of individual authors.
One Author
Formula:
Author, I. (YEAR). Title of work. Publisher.
Example:
Gumperz, J.J. (1982). Discourse Strategies. Cambridge University Press.
In-text citation:
(Gumperz, 1982, p. X or pp. xxx–xxx)
Narrative citation:
Gumperz (1982)
Two Authors
Formula:
List by last names and initials. Separate authors’ names with a comma. Use the ampersand instead of “and.”
Author, I. & Author, I. (YEAR). Title of work: Capital letter used for subtitle. Publisher.
Example:
Willis, H. J., & Johnson, D. P. (2017). On capitalism: Economic freedom in the twenty-first century. Princeton University Press.
In-text citation:
(Willis & Johnson, 2017, p. X or pp. xxx–xxx)
Narrative citation:
Willis and Johnson (2017)
3–20 Authors
List by last names and initials; commas separate author names while the last author’s name is preceded by an ampersand. This is a departure from APA 6th Edition, which only required listing the first six authors before an ellipsis and the final author’s name.
Formula:
Author, I., Author, I., & Author, I. (YEAR). Title of work. Publisher.
Example:
Chen, I.L., Rand, O.P., & Smith, L.L. (2016). Evaluations of post-traumatic stress disorder. Yale University Press.
In-text citation:
(Chen et al., 2016, p. X or pp.xxx–xxx)
Narrative citation:
Chen et al. (2016)
21 or More Authors
List by last names and initials; commas separate author names. After the first 19 authors’ names, use an ellipsis in place of the remaining authors’ names. Then, end with the final author’s name (do not place an ampersand before it). There should be no more than twenty names in the citation in total.
Formula:
Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I.,…Author, I. (YEAR). Title of work. Publisher.
Example:
Brown, C., Jones, A. N., Green, T. P., Cavell, N., Smith, X. J., Lester, K., Franks, J., Miller, R. B., Garrison, B. C., Golden, N. D., Williams, R. E., Dinkle, F. T., Smith, J. W., Johnston, H. H., Shaver, N., Weston, S. T., Black, N., Jessup, T. R., Moore J.,…Winkler, N. (2012). Exploring chemistry. Bond Publishing.
In-text citation:
(Brown et al., 2012, p. X or pp. xxx–xxx)
Narrative citation:
Brown et al. (2012)
Book (Edited)
A Word about Partial Sources (Edited Works)
Some books with multiple authors are actually “curated”—that is, an editor collects chapters that individual authors have written and organizes them to present a variety of perspectives or a broad range of sub-topics on a subject. A writer might use information from a single chapter in an edited book, and in that case, both the chapter and the book should be cited in a single entry in a References list. Similarly, the author of the chapter and the editor(s) will receive acknowledgment in the citation. Note that the initials and last name of an editor appears in reverse order from that of authors. The title of an editor, translator, director, or other “role” holder is capitalized, abbreviated, and in parentheses in a bibliographic reference citation.
Chapter (or entry) in an Edited Book
Formula:
Author, I. (YEAR). Title of article/chapter. In I. Editor, & I. Editor (Eds.), Title of work (p. X or pp. xx–xx). Publisher.
Example:
Dillard, J. P. (2020). Currents in the study of persuasion. In M. B. Oliver, A. A. Raney, & J. Bryant (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (pp. 115–129). Routledge.
In-text citation:
(Dillard, 2020)
Narrative citation:
Dillard (2020)
Chapter (or Section) in an Online Book
Formula:
Author, I. (YEAR). Title of article/chapter. In I. Editor, & I. Editor (Eds.), Title of work (p. X or pp. xx–xx). Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx or URL
Example:
Thestrup, K. (2010). To transform, to communicate, to play—The experimenting community in action. In E. Hygum & P. M. Pedersen (Eds.), Early childhood education: Values and practices in Denmark. Hans Reitzels Forlag. https://ece.digi.hansreitzel.dk/?id=192
In-text citation:
(Thestrup, 2010)
Narrative citation:
Thestrup (2010)
Book (Other)
Reprinted Edition
Some reprinted books have editors or translators. Typically, persons with these roles will write a foreword explaining ways in which the reprinted book differs from the original. If there is no editor, translator, or other “role” for the reprinted edition, eliminate the parenthetical information between the title of the book and the name of the publisher.
Formula:
Author, I. (YEAR). Title of work (I. Editor Name, Ed./Trans.). Publisher. (Original work published YEAR)
Example:
Watson, J. B., & Rayner, R. (2013). Conditioned emotional reactions: The case of Little Albert (D. Webb, Ed.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. (Original work published 1920)
In-text citation:
(Watson & Rayner, 1920/2013, p. X or pp. xxx–xxx)
Narrative citation:
Watson and Rayner (1920/2013)
Corporate Publication
Formula:
Organization name. (YEAR). Title of work. Publisher.
Example:
Dragonfly, LLC. (2006). Agricultural strategies of the Great Plains. Penguin.
In-text citation:
(Dragonfly, 2006, p. X or pp.xx–xx)
Narrative citation:
Dragonfly (2006)
Journal Article
One Author
Formula:
Author, I. (YEAR). Title of article. Title of journal, Vol##(Iss##), ##–##. doi: Digital Object Identifier (number) if provided
Note: Do not include the words Vol or Iss. The volume number should be italicized and appear without a space before the issue number, which is inside parentheses in regular font: 6(14).
Example:
Valencia, S.W. (2001). Inside English/language arts standards: What’s in a grade?. Reading Research Quarterly, 36(2), 202–217.
In-text citation:
(Valencia, 2001, p. X or pp. xxx–xxx)
Narrative citation:
Valencia (2001)
Two Authors
List by their last names and initials. Separate authors’ names with a comma. Use the ampersand instead of “and.”
Formula:
Author, I., & Author, I. (YEAR). Title of article. Title of journal, Vol##(Iss##), ##-##. doi: Digital Object Identifier (number) if provided
Note: Do not include the words Vol or Iss. The volume number should be italicized and appear without a space before the issue number, which is inside parentheses in regular font: 6(14).
Example:
Ralston, P.O., & Franc, N.D. (2020). A comparison of approaches to psychoanalysis. Psychology in Practice, 18(2), 80–100.
In-text citation:
(Ralston & Franc, 2020, p. X or pp. xxx–xxx)
Narrative citation:
Ralston and Franc (2020)
3-20 Authors
List by last names and initials; commas separate author names, while the last author’s name is preceded again by ampersand. This is a departure from APA 6, which only required listing the first six authors before an ellipsis and the final author’s name.
Formula:
Author, I., Author, I., & Author, I. (YEAR). Title of article. Title of journal, Vol##(Iss##), ##–##. doi: Digital Object Identifier (number) if provided
Note: Do not include the words Vol or Iss. The volume number should be italicized and appear without a space before the issue number, which is inside parentheses in regular font: 6(14).
Example:
Lu, D.A., Marcus, A.M., & Kavell, G.P. (2021). Studies in multicultural implementation and practice. Applied Psychiatry , 20(5), 140–165.
In-text citation:
(Lu et al., 2021, p. X or pp. xxx–xxx)
Narrative citation:
Lu et al. (2021)
21 or More Authors
List by last names and initials; commas separate author names. After the first 19 authors’ names, use an ellipsis in place of the remaining author names. Then, end with the final author’s name (do not place an ampersand before it). There should be no more than twenty names in the citation in total.
Formula:
Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I., Author, I.,… Author, I. (YEAR). Title of article. Title of journal, Vol##(Iss##), ##–##. doi: Digital Object Identifier (number) if provided
Example:
Scheer, P., Poor, B. K., Danson, F., Rutherford, H., Lalo, S., Bowe, A., Zhou, R., Chase, D., Cowper, D., Qian, Y., Poe, X., Frye, G., Norton, O., Margolis, J., Powell, S. L., Santino, C., Testra, H., Marshall, V., Hunt, K.,…Parker, G. (2021). The problem of bullying. American Psychological Symposium , 8(2), 150–170.
In-text citation:
(Scheer et al., 2021, p. X or pp. xxx–xxx)
Narrative citation:
Scheer et al. (2021)
Article (Other)
Newspaper Article
Formula:
Author, I. (YEAR, Month date). Title of article. Title of newspaper, ##–##. doi: Digital Object Identifier (number) or URL if online version
Example:
Carey, B. (2019, March 22). Can we get better at forgetting?. The New York Times, C1–C2. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/22/health/memory-forgetting-psychology.html
In-text citation:
(Carey, 2019)
Narrative citation:
Carey (2019)
Article from an Online Source with Retrieval Date
Note: Some online sources, such as those that generate ongoing data and statistics, will have information that is constantly changing as it is updated. In such cases, provide the retrieval date of the information you are using in your reference list citation.
Formula:
Author, I., & Author, I. (YEAR). Title of article. Title of source. Retrieved Month Day, YEAR, from https://…use exact page
Example:
Bordeaux, B., & Lieberman, H. R. (2020). Benefits and risks of caffeine and caffeinated beverages. UpToDate. Retrieved February 26, 2020, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/benefits-and-risks-of-caffeine-and-caffeinated-beverages
In-text citation:
(Bordeaux & Lieberman, 2020, p. X or pp. xxx–xxx)
Narrative citation:
Bordeaux and Lieberman (2020)
Unpublished Conference Proceedings
Formula:
Contributor, A. A., Contributor, B. B., Contributor, C. C., & Contributor, D. D. (Year, Month Date). Title of contribution [Description of contribution]. Title of Symposium/Conference, Location.
Example:
Matson, E. (2018, Nov. 5). Drones and autonomous vehicles: The latest new technology to come with potential threat [Conference session]. Dawn or Doom 2018 Conference, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.
In-text citation:
(Matson, 2019)
Narrative citation:
Matson (2019)
Published Conference Proceedings
Formula:
Contributor, A. A., Contributor, B. B., Contributor, C. C., & Contributor, D. D. (YEAR). Title of contribution. Proceedings of Title of Symposium/Conference, Location, Vol##(Iss##), ##–##. Digital Object Identifier (number) if provided
Note: Do not include the words Vol or Iss. The volume number should be italicized and appear without a space before the issue number, which is inside parentheses in regular font: 6(14).
Example:
Duckworth, A. L., Quirk, A., Gallop, R., Hoyle, R. H., Kelly, D. R., & Matthews, M. D. (2019). Cognitive and noncognitive predictors of success. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 116(47), 23499–23504. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1910510116
In-text citation:
(Duckworth et al., 2019)
Narrative citation:
Duckworth et al. (2019)
Dissertation
Unpublished Dissertation
Formula:
Author, I. (YEAR). Title of dissertation [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Receiving institution, Location.
Example:
Smyrkin, L. (2006). Virtual life: The accumulation of our children through gaming [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Grayson, Denison, Texas.
In-text citation:
(Smyrkin, 2006)
Narrative citation:
Smyrkin (2006)
Published Dissertation
Formula:
Author, I. (YEAR). Title of dissertation (Publication No. ##) [Doctoral dissertation, Name of Institution]. Database Name. URL (if needed)
Example:
Kabir, J. M. (2016). Factors influencing customer satisfaction at a fast-food hamburger chain: The relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty (Publication No. 10169573) [Doctoral dissertation, Wilmington University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
In-text citation:
(Kabir, 2016)
Narrative citation:
Kabir (2016)
Online Lecture Notes / Slides
Available Online
Formula:
Author, I. (YEAR, Month Date). Title of lecture or presentation [Document type]. Hosting service if needed. URL
Example:
Jones, J. (2016, March 23). Guided reading: Making the most of it [PowerPoint slides]. SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/hellojenjones/guided-reading-making-the-most-of-it
In-text citation:
(Jones, 2016)
Narrative citation:
Jones (2016)
From a Classroom Website
Formula:
Author, I. (YEAR, Month Date). Title of lecture or presentation [Document type]. Name of website. URL
Example:
Mack, R., & Spake, G. (2018). Citing open source images and formatting references for presentations [PowerPoint slides]. Canvas@FNU. https://fnu.onelogin.com/login
In-text citation:
(Mack & Spake, 2016)
Narrative citation:
Mack and Spake (2016)
Legal and Policy Documents
U.S. Supreme Court Decisions
Formula:
Name v. Name, Volume # U.S. Page # (Year). URL if needed
Example:
Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954).
[Note: In the in-text and narrative citations, the name of the case is italicized but not in the reference citation.]
In-text citation:
(Brown v. Board of Education, 1954)
Narrative citation:
Brown v. Board of Education (2006)
U.S. Circuit Court Decisions
Formula:
Name v. Name, Volume # F. [or F.2d, F.3d] Page # (Court YEAR). URL if needed
The formula above includes bracketed information because the Federal Reporter (reporter for U.S. Circuit Courts) publishes decisions in more than one location.
Example:
In the example below, note that F.2d appears between the Volume # and the page number. This indicates that the correct reporter designation is F.2d (not F. or F.3d).
Lawrence v. Heller, 311 F.2d 225 (10th Cir. 1962). https://openjurist.org/311/f2d/225/lawrence-v-heller
In-text citation:
(Lawrence v. Heller, 1962)
Narrative citation:
Lawrence v. Heller (1962)
U.S. District Court Decisions
Formula:
Name v. Name, Volume # F. Supp. Page # (Court YEAR). URL if needed
Similar to the Circuit Court formula, the US District Court formula includes all elements, and the reporter designation refers to Federal Supplements, where all US District Court decisions are published.
Example:
Sohappy v. Smith, 302 F. Supp. 899 (D. Or. 1969). https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/302/899/2007176/
In-text citation:
(Sohappy v. Smith, 1969)
Narrative citation:
Sohappy v. Smith (1969)
State Court Decisions
Formula:
Name v. Name, Volume # Reporter Page # (Court YEAR). URL if needed
State court decisions closely follow other court-decision citation formulae, but because there are various reporters that publish their decisions, that element of the template will vary and is represented here by the word “Reporter.”
Example:
Mullins v. Parkview Hosp., Inc., 865 N.E.2d 608 (Ind. 2007). https://www.casebriefs.com/blog/law/torts/torts-keyed-to-dobbs/establishing-a-claim-for-intentional-tort-to-person-or-property/mullins-v-parkview-hospital-inc/
In-text citation:
(Mullins v. Parkview Hosp., Inc., 2007)
Narrative citation:
Mullins v. Parkview Hosp., Inc. (2007)
Policy Documents
Formula:
Organization Name. (YEAR). Title of report or policy. URL if needed
Example:
United States Government Accountability Office. (2019). Performance and accountability report: Fiscal year 2019. https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/702715.pdf
In-text citation:
(United States Government Accountability Office, 2019)
Narrative citation:
United States Government Accountability Office (2019)
Web Page
No Author
Formula:
Website Name. (YEAR, Month Date). Title of webpage/article. URL
Example:
World Health Organization. (2018, May 24). The top 10 causes of death. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death
In-text citation:
(World Health Organization, 2018)
Narrative citation:
The World Health Organization (2018)
One Author
Formula:
Author, I. (YEAR, Month Date). Title of webpage/article. Website Name. URL
Example:
Giovanetti, F. (2019, November 16). Why we are so obsessed with personality types. Medium. https://medium.com/the-business-of-wellness/why-we-are-so-obsessed-with-personality-types-577450f9aee9
In-text citation:
(Giovanetti, 2019)
Narrative citation:
Giovanetti (2019)
Blog Post
Formula:
Author, I. (YEAR, Month Date). Name of blog post. Website Name. URL
Example:
Ouellette, J. (2019, November 15). Physicists capture first footage of quantum knots unraveling in superfluid. Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/11/study-you-can-tie-a-quantum-knot-in-a-superfluid-but-it-will-soon-untie-itself/
In-text citation:
(Ouellette, 2019)
Narrative citation:
Ouellette (2019)
Personal Communication
Note: Do not include e-mails in your reference list. Cite them within the text of your document only.
Formula:
(I. Author, personal communication, Month Date, YEAR).
In-text citation:
(E. Robbins, personal communication, January 4, 2001).
Narrative citation:
Robbins (2001)