How to Cite Something in APA with Multiple Authors
Citing sources in APA format can sometimes be a bit tricky, especially when dealing with works that have multiple authors. The American Psychological Association (APA) provides specific guidelines for citing such sources to ensure consistency and accuracy in academic writing. In this article, we will explore the process of citing something in APA format when there are multiple authors involved.
Formatting the Citation
When citing a source with multiple authors in APA format, the basic structure of the citation remains the same. However, there are a few key points to keep in mind to ensure the proper formatting. Here’s how to format a citation with multiple authors:
1. Start with the author’s last name, followed by a comma and the first name.
2. Continue listing the authors in the same order, separated by commas and the word “and.”
3. After the last author’s name, include a period.
4. Next, write the publication date in parentheses, followed by a period.
5. Add the title of the work in quotation marks, capitalized as it appears in the source.
6. Include the publication information, such as the publisher and location, if applicable.
7. End the citation with a period.
For example, a citation with three authors would look like this:
Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Doe, M. (2020). The impact of social media on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 10(2), 45-60.
Formatting the Reference List
When listing the citation in the reference list, the format slightly differs. Here’s how to format a reference list entry for a work with multiple authors:
1. Start with the authors’ last names, followed by a comma and their first names.
2. Separate the authors with commas and the word “and.”
3. After the last author’s name, include a period.
4. Write the publication date in parentheses, followed by a period.
5. Include the title of the work in italics, capitalized as it appears in the source.
6. Add the publication information, such as the publisher and location, if applicable.
7. End the entry with a period.
For example, the reference list entry for the same work with three authors would look like this:
Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Doe, M. (2020). The impact of social media on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 10(2), 45-60.
Handling Additional Authors
If a work has more than six authors, APA recommends listing only the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) for subsequent authors. Here’s how to format such a citation:
Smith, J., Johnson, L., Doe, M., & others (2020). The impact of social media on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 10(2), 45-60.
And the reference list entry would be formatted as follows:
Smith, J., Johnson, L., Doe, M., & al. (2020). The impact of social media on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 10(2), 45-60.
Conclusion
Citing sources with multiple authors in APA format requires following specific guidelines to ensure accurate and consistent referencing. By understanding the proper formatting and structure, writers can effectively credit their sources and maintain the integrity of their academic work.
