How to Cite 5 Authors in APA
In academic writing, it is common to reference multiple sources to support arguments and provide evidence. When citing sources in APA (American Psychological Association) style, the format for referencing a source with five authors is straightforward. This article will guide you through the process of how to cite 5 authors in APA.
Formatting the In-text Citation
When citing a source with five authors in APA style, the in-text citation should include all five authors’ last names followed by the year of publication. If the source is a book, the format is as follows:
– (Smith, Johnson, Doe, Brown, & Davis, 2020)
If the source is a journal article, the format is similar:
– (Smith, Johnson, Doe, Brown, & Davis, 2020)
In both cases, the authors’ names are listed in alphabetical order, separated by commas, and followed by the year of publication in parentheses.
Formatting the Reference List Entry
The reference list entry for a source with five authors should include the authors’ names, the title of the source, the title of the journal or book, the volume and issue number (if applicable), the publication date, and the page numbers (if applicable). The format is as follows:
– Smith, J., Johnson, D., Doe, B., Brown, L., & Davis, M. (2020). Title of the article or book. Journal or Book Title, Volume(Issue), Page range.
For example:
– Smith, J., Johnson, D., Doe, B., Brown, L., & Davis, M. (2020). The impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems. Environmental Science and Policy, 105, 123-145.
Formatting the Title of the Source
When citing a source with five authors, the title of the source should be in sentence case, with only the first word and any proper nouns capitalized. If the source is a book, the format is as follows:
– Title of the Book
If the source is a journal article, the format is similar:
– Title of the Article
For example:
– The impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems
Formatting the Journal or Book Title
The journal or book title should be in italics and should not be abbreviated. The format is as follows:
– Journal or Book Title
For example:
– Environmental Science and Policy
Formatting the Volume and Issue Number
If the source is a journal article, include the volume and issue number in parentheses, separated by a comma. The format is as follows:
– Journal or Book Title, Volume(Issue)
For example:
– Environmental Science and Policy, 105(2)
Formatting the Publication Date
The publication date should be in parentheses, followed by a comma. The format is as follows:
– (Year)
For example:
– (2020)
Formatting the Page Numbers
If the source is a journal article and you are referencing a specific page range, include the page numbers at the end of the reference list entry. The format is as follows:
– Journal or Book Title, Volume(Issue), Page range
For example:
– Environmental Science and Policy, 105(2), 123-145
In conclusion, citing a source with five authors in APA style is a straightforward process. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent with APA format.