How to Cite APA Source with Multiple Authors
In the realm of academic writing, proper citation is essential for maintaining integrity and giving credit to the original authors of the work. One common scenario in APA citation style is when a source has multiple authors. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to correctly cite APA sources with multiple authors.
Firstly, it is important to understand that the APA citation format for sources with multiple authors is slightly different from that of single-author sources. The basic structure of a citation with multiple authors includes the authors’ names, the publication date, the title of the source, the title of the container, other contributors, version or edition, numbers, publisher, and location.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cite APA sources with multiple authors:
1. Start with the authors’ names: List the authors’ last names followed by their initials. Separate the names with commas, and include all authors in the list. If there are more than 20 authors, list the first 19 followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”).
Example: Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Smith, J. (2020).
2. Include the publication date: After the authors’ names, place the publication date in parentheses, followed by a period.
Example: Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Smith, J. (2020).
3. Provide the title of the source: Write the title of the source in italics, capitalizing the first letter of each major word.
Example: Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Smith, J. (2020). The impact of social media on youth.
4. Include the title of the container: If the source is part of a larger work, such as a book or journal, include the title of the container in quotation marks, followed by a comma.
Example: Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Smith, J. (2020). The impact of social media on youth. In A. Author (Ed.), Book title (pp. 10-20).
5. Add other contributors: If there are other contributors, such as editors, translators, or illustrators, list their names after the title of the container, separated by commas.
Example: Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Smith, J. (2020). The impact of social media on youth. In A. Author (Ed.), Book title (pp. 10-20), edited by B. Editor.
6. Mention the version or edition: If the source has a specific version or edition, include it after the contributors’ names, separated by a comma.
Example: Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Smith, J. (2020). The impact of social media on youth. In A. Author (Ed.), Book title (pp. 10-20), edited by B. Editor, 2nd ed.
7. Include numbers, publisher, and location: If the source has specific numbers, such as page numbers or volume and issue numbers, include them after the location, separated by a comma.
Example: Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Smith, J. (2020). The impact of social media on youth. In A. Author (Ed.), Book title (pp. 10-20), edited by B. Editor, 2nd ed. (Vol. 5, Iss. 2), New York: Publisher.
By following these steps, you can ensure that you are correctly citing APA sources with multiple authors. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original authors but also helps readers locate the source material easily. Always double-check the APA guidelines for any specific formatting requirements related to your source.
