How to Cite a Multiple Authors APA
In the APA citation style, citing a source with multiple authors involves following a specific format. This guide will provide you with a step-by-step process on how to correctly cite a source with two or more authors in APA format.
Firstly, when citing a source with two authors, list both authors’ last names followed by the publication date in parentheses. For example:
(Johnson & Smith, 2020)
If the source has three to five authors, include all authors’ last names in the first citation. For subsequent citations, use only the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) and the year of publication. For example:
(Johnson, Smith, Brown, Davis, & Wilson, 2020)
(Brown, Davis, & Wilson, 2020)
When citing a source with six or more authors, include only the first author’s last name, followed by “et al.” and the year of publication. For example:
(Johnson et al., 2020)
It’s important to note that if the source has a subtitle, include it after the title but before the publication date. For example:
(Johnson, Smith, & Brown. 2020. The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities)
If the source has a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), include it at the end of the citation. For example:
(Johnson, Smith, & Brown. 2020. The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities. https://doi.org/10.1234/example)
When citing a source with multiple authors in a text citation, follow the same format as the parenthetical citation. For example:
(Johnson & Smith, 2020) discuss the importance of addressing climate change in coastal cities.
In a reference list, arrange the sources alphabetically by the first author’s last name. If there are multiple sources with the same first author, arrange them by the second author’s last name, and so on. For example:
Johnson, J., Smith, A., Brown, C., Davis, D., & Wilson, E. (2020). The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you correctly cite a source with multiple authors in APA format. Always double-check the specific requirements of your assignment or publication to ensure you are adhering to the latest APA guidelines.
