How to Intext Cite Multiple Authors APA
In academic writing, it is common to reference multiple authors in a single in-text citation. The APA (American Psychological Association) style provides specific guidelines for citing multiple authors in your text. Properly citing multiple authors is crucial for avoiding plagiarism and giving credit to the original sources. This article will guide you through the process of in-text citing multiple authors in APA style.
Formatting Multiple Authors in APA Style
When citing two or three authors, include all their names in the text, separated by commas. If there are more than three authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) after the first author’s name. Here are some examples:
– Two authors: (Smith, Johnson, 2020)
– Three authors: (Smith, Johnson, & Brown, 2020)
– Four or more authors: (Smith et al., 2020)
Using Parentheses for In-Text Citations
Place the in-text citation in parentheses at the end of the sentence or phrase where the reference is mentioned. If you are paraphrasing the information, use a signal phrase to introduce the citation. For example:
– Paraphrasing: According to Smith, Johnson, and Brown (2020), the results of the study indicate a significant relationship between the variables (Smith et al., 2020).
– Direct quote: “The study found a significant relationship between the variables” (Smith et al., 2020, p. 45).
Order of Authors in APA Style
When citing multiple authors, the order of the authors’ names in the text should match the order they appear in the reference list. This helps readers easily locate the full citation in the reference list.
Formatting References with Multiple Authors
In the reference list, format the reference with multiple authors as follows:
– For two or three authors: Last name, First initial. Middle initial. (Year). Title of the work. Publisher.
– For four or more authors: Last name, First initial. Middle initial. & et al. (Year). Title of the work. Publisher.
Example
Smith, J. A., Johnson, B. C., & Brown, D. E. (2020). The impact of technology on education. Journal of Educational Technology, 15(2), 45-58.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively in-text cite multiple authors in APA style. Remember that proper citation is essential for academic integrity and providing readers with the necessary information to locate the original sources.
