Mastering APA Citation: A Comprehensive Guide

APA (American Psychological Association) style is widely used for citing sources in social sciences. Mastering it is crucial for academic integrity and clear communication. This guide provides an overview of key APA citation elements.

In-Text Citations

APA uses the author-date citation system. For example: (Smith, 2023). For direct quotes, include the page number: (Smith, 2023, p. 45). For works with multiple authors, specific rules apply for the first and subsequent citations.

Reference List

The reference list appears at the end of your paper and provides full details for all sources cited. Entries are alphabetized by the author's last name. Key elements for a book include: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Publisher.

Common Source Types

• Journal Articles: Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume number(issue number), pages. DOI or URL
• Websites: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Date). Title of page. Site Name. URL

Key Formatting Tips

Ensure your paper is double-spaced, uses a standard font (e.g., 12pt Times New Roman), and has 1-inch margins. The reference list should have a hanging indent for each entry.

This is a brief overview. For detailed guidance, always consult the latest edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association or trusted university resources.