When it comes to citing videos in APA style, accuracy is crucial to maintain the credibility of your research. The American Psychological Association (APA) provides guidelines for citing various sources, including videos, to ensure consistency and clarity in academic writing. In this article, we will provide 8 video citation APA tips that guarantee accuracy, helping you to properly cite videos in your research papers and avoid common mistakes.
Understanding APA Style Video Citations
The APA style is widely used in social sciences, education, and business fields. When citing a video, you need to provide enough information for the reader to locate the source. The general format for citing a video in APA style includes the title of the video, the producer or director, the publication date, and the retrieval information. In the following sections, we will break down the specific components of a video citation and provide tips for accurate citation.
Tip 1: Identify the Type of Video
The type of video you are citing will determine the format of the citation. Common types of videos include YouTube videos, DVDs, online lectures, and podcasts. For example, a YouTube video citation will include the title of the video, the name of the uploader, the publication date, and the URL. On the other hand, a DVD citation will include the title of the DVD, the director or producer, the publication date, and the studio or distributor.
| Type of Video | Citation Format |
|---|---|
| YouTube Video | Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. Retrieved from |
| DVD | Director, D. D. (Director). (Year). Title of DVD [DVD]. Studio or Distributor. |
Tip 2: Provide the Title of the Video
The title of the video is a crucial element in the citation. It should be in title case, meaning that major words are capitalized. If the title is in italics, it should be italicized in the citation as well. For example, the title of a YouTube video “The Importance of Citation” should be cited as “The Importance of Citation” with the title in title case.
Example: "The Importance of Citation" (2022) - The title is in title case, and it's not italicized because it's a YouTube video title.
Tip 3: Include the Producer or Director
The producer or director of the video is another essential element in the citation. If the producer or director is not available, you can use the name of the uploader or the organization responsible for the video. For example, if a YouTube video is uploaded by a user named “John Doe,” you can use “John Doe” as the author in the citation.
Producer or director names should be in the format "Last Name, First Initial" (e.g., Smith, J.). If the producer or director is an organization, the name of the organization should be used as the author.
Tip 4: Provide the Publication Date
The publication date of the video is the date it was made available to the public. For YouTube videos, the publication date is the date the video was uploaded. For DVDs, the publication date is the date the DVD was released. If the publication date is not available, you can use “n.d.” (no date) in the citation.
Example: (2022, January 10) - The publication date is included in the citation with the year and month.
Tip 5: Include the Retrieval Information
The retrieval information includes the URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) of the video. For YouTube videos, the URL should be included in the citation. For DVDs, the retrieval information is not necessary. If the video is available online, the URL or DOI should be included in the citation.
URLs should be in the format "Retrieved from
Tip 6: Use the Correct Citation Format for Online Lectures
Online lectures are a common type of video citation. When citing an online lecture, you should include the title of the lecture, the name of the lecturer, the publication date, and the retrieval information. The citation format for online lectures is similar to the format for YouTube videos.
Example: Smith, J. (2022, January 10). The Importance of Citation [Lecture]. Retrieved from
Tip 7: Cite Podcasts Correctly
Podcasts are another type of video citation. When citing a podcast, you should include the title of the podcast, the name of the host, the publication date, and the retrieval information. The citation format for podcasts is similar to the format for online lectures.
Podcast titles should be in title case, and the host's name should be in the format "Last Name, First Initial" (e.g., Smith, J.).
Tip 8: Double-Check Your Citations
Finally, it’s essential to double-check your citations for accuracy. Make sure you have included all the necessary elements, such as the title of the video, the producer or director, the publication date, and the retrieval information. You can use online citation tools or consult the APA Publication Manual to ensure your citations are accurate.
What is the APA style for citing YouTube videos?
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The APA style for citing YouTube videos includes the title of the video, the name of the uploader, the publication date, and the URL. The format is: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/…</p
How do I cite a DVD in APA style?
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To cite a DVD in APA style, you need to include the title of the DVD, the director or producer, the publication date, and the studio or distributor. The format is: Director, D. D. (Director). (Year). Title of DVD [DVD]. Studio or Distributor.
What is the difference between a DOI and a URL?
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A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a unique identifier for a digital object, such as a video or an article. A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the web address of a resource. In APA style, you should use the DOI if it’s available, and the URL if it’s not.
