How to Cite More Than 1 Author in APA
Citing multiple authors in APA style can sometimes be confusing, especially for those who are new to academic writing. APA (American Psychological Association) style is widely used in the social sciences, education, and other fields. Proper citation is essential for giving credit to the original authors and avoiding plagiarism. In this article, we will guide you through the process of citing more than one author in APA style.
Formatting the Author List
When citing more than one author in APA style, the author list should be formatted as follows:
1. Start with the first author’s last name, followed by their first initial.
2. Separate the names of the first author and the second author with an ampersand (&).
3. Use commas to separate the names of the remaining authors.
4. Capitalize the first letter of each author’s last name and first name.
For example:
Smith, J. A., & Johnson, L. B., & Williams, C. D.
Citing a Work with Two Authors
When citing a work with two authors, simply list both names in the author field. Follow the format mentioned above:
Smith, J. A., & Johnson, L. B. (Year). Title of the work. Publisher.
For example:
Smith, J. A., & Johnson, L. B. (2020). The impact of social media on interpersonal relationships. Journal of Communication, 70(2), 123-145.
Citing a Work with Three or More Authors
When citing a work with three or more authors, list only the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”). The format is as follows:
First Author, A. A., et al. (Year). Title of the work. Publisher.
For example:
Smith, J. A., et al. (2020). The effects of climate change on agricultural productivity. Environmental Science and Technology, 54(1), 123-135.
Citing a Work with Multiple Authors and No Date
If a work has multiple authors and no date, follow the same format as above, but omit the year:
Smith, J. A., et al. (n.d.). Title of the work. Publisher.
For example:
Smith, J. A., et al. (n.d.). The importance of sleep in cognitive development. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1-10.
Formatting In-text Citations
When citing a work with multiple authors in-text, the format is similar to the reference list. Follow these guidelines:
1. For two authors, include both names in the parentheses.
2. For three or more authors, include only the first author’s last name, followed by “et al.”
For example:
(Smith & Johnson, 2020) or (Smith et al., 2020)
Conclusion
Citing more than one author in APA style is essential for proper academic citation. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and adhere to APA standards. Always remember to double-check your work for consistency and accuracy before submitting it for publication or grading.
