How to Cite in Text APA with More Than One Author
In academic writing, it is common to reference sources that have multiple authors. The American Psychological Association (APA) provides specific guidelines on how to cite in text APA with more than one author. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original authors but also helps readers locate the sources easily. This article will discuss the steps to correctly cite in text APA with more than one author.
Step 1: Identify the Authors
First, identify the authors of the source you want to cite. If there are two authors, simply list both names in the text. For example: “According to Smith and Johnson (2020), the findings suggest that…”. If there are three to five authors, list all names in the text, separated by commas. For example: “As stated by Brown, Davis, Green, and Blue (2019), the results indicate that…”. If there are more than five authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”). For example: “Research conducted by Thompson et al. (2021) reveals that…”.
Step 2: Include the Publication Date
After listing the authors, include the publication date of the source in parentheses. For example: “Smith and Johnson (2020) found that…”. If the publication date is not available, you can use the year the work was retrieved or the date of the most recent update. For example: “Smith and Johnson (n.d.) argue that…”.
Step 3: Use Page Numbers (If Applicable)
If you are directly quoting or paraphrasing a specific part of the source, include the page numbers in parentheses after the publication date. For example: “According to Smith and Johnson (2020, p. 25), the study demonstrates that…”. If you are summarizing or discussing the entire source, you may omit the page numbers.
Step 4: Format the In-text Citation
Ensure that the in-text citation is formatted correctly. The authors’ names should be in the same order as they appear in the source, and the publication date should be in parentheses with the year first, followed by a comma and the rest of the date. For example: “Smith and Johnson (2020) conducted a study…”
Step 5: Follow the Reference List Format
When you include the full citation of the source in your reference list, follow APA guidelines for formatting. The reference list entry should include the authors’ last names, initials, publication date, the title of the source, the title of the journal or book, the volume and issue number (if applicable), and the page range or URL. For example:
Smith, J., & Johnson, A. (2020). The impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems. Journal of Environmental Science, 32(3), 45-58.
By following these steps, you can correctly cite in text APA with more than one author. Proper citation is essential for academic integrity and helps readers locate the sources you have referenced.
