How to Cite Without Author or Date APA
Citing sources without author or date information can be a challenging task, especially when adhering to the APA (American Psychological Association) citation style. However, with a few guidelines and examples, you can effectively cite such sources in your academic work. In this article, we will discuss how to cite without author or date in APA format, ensuring your references are accurate and consistent.
Understanding APA Format
Before diving into citing sources without author or date information, it’s essential to have a basic understanding of APA format. APA format is a widely used citation style in the social sciences, education, psychology, and other related fields. It provides guidelines for formatting in-text citations, reference lists, and the overall structure of a document.
Citing Sources Without Author
When citing a source without an author, you should include the title of the source, the publisher, and the year of publication in your in-text citation. Here’s an example:
According to the report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020, the global obesity rate has reached an alarming level (WHO, 2020).
In the reference list, you would list the source as follows:
WHO. (2020). Global obesity report.
Citing Sources Without Date
If a source does not have a date of publication, you can use the term “n.d.” (no date) in your in-text citation. In this case, you should include the title of the source, the publisher, and the medium of publication. Here’s an example:
According to the study on climate change conducted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the consequences of global warming are severe (IPCC, n.d.).
In the reference list, you would list the source as follows:
IPCC. (n.d.). Climate change: The physical science basis.
Formatting In-Text Citations Without Author or Date
When formatting in-text citations without author or date information, it’s important to follow these guidelines:
1. Use the author’s last name and the publication year in parentheses.
2. If the source has a title, include it in italics.
3. If the source is a web page or an online document, include the URL in parentheses after the publication year.
Here’s an example:
According to a study published by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 2019, the benefits of exercise on mental health are well-documented (NIH, 2019; https://www.nih.gov).
Conclusion
Citing sources without author or date information in APA format can be a bit tricky, but with these guidelines and examples, you can ensure your references are accurate and consistent. Remember to pay attention to the details, such as the title, publisher, and medium of publication, to create a well-structured citation.
