The American Psychological Association (APA) style is a widely used citation format in social sciences, education, and business. The seventh edition of the APA Publication Manual, published in 2020, provides updated guidelines for citing sources and formatting academic papers. In this article, we will delve into the APA 7 citation rules and provide examples to help you master this essential skill.
Introduction to APA 7 Citation Style
The APA 7 style emphasizes clarity and conciseness in citation and formatting. The manual provides guidelines for citing various sources, including books, articles, websites, and social media. The APA style uses an author-date system, where the author’s last name and publication year are included in the in-text citation.
In-Text Citations
In-text citations in APA 7 style consist of the author’s last name and publication year, separated by a comma. For example: (Smith, 2020). If the source has multiple authors, separate their names with commas and use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name. For instance: (Smith, Johnson, & Williams, 2020). When citing a source with no author, use the title in the in-text citation: (“The Impact of Climate Change,” 2020).
| Citation Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Single author | (Smith, 2020) |
| Multiple authors | (Smith, Johnson, & Williams, 2020) |
| No author | ("The Impact of Climate Change," 2020) |
Reference List
The reference list in APA 7 style includes all sources cited in the paper, formatted according to the type of source. The list is arranged alphabetically by author’s last name. For each source, include the author’s name, publication year, title, and publication information. For example:
Book: Smith, J. (2020). The effects of climate change. New York, NY: Routledge.
Journal Article: Johnson, K. (2020). The impact of social media on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 30(2), 12-20.
Website: Williams, R. (2020, February 10). The benefits of meditation. Retrieved from https://www.mindful.org/
Citing Specific Source Types
APA 7 style provides guidelines for citing various source types, including:
Books
When citing a book, include the author’s name, publication year, title, and publication information. For example:
Single author: Smith, J. (2020). The effects of climate change. New York, NY: Routledge.
Multiple authors: Smith, J., Johnson, K., & Williams, R. (2020). The impact of social media. New York, NY: Routledge.
Edited book: Smith, J. (Ed.). (2020). The effects of climate change. New York, NY: Routledge.
Journal Articles
When citing a journal article, include the author’s name, publication year, title, journal title, volume, and page numbers. For example:
Single author: Johnson, K. (2020). The impact of social media on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 30(2), 12-20.
Multiple authors: Johnson, K., Smith, J., & Williams, R. (2020). The effects of climate change on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 30(2), 12-20.
Websites
When citing a website, include the author’s name, publication year, title, and URL. For example:
Single author: Williams, R. (2020, February 10). The benefits of meditation. Retrieved from https://www.mindful.org/
No author: ("The Impact of Climate Change," 2020). Retrieved from https://www.climatechange.org/
What is the APA 7 citation style?
+The APA 7 citation style is a widely used citation format in social sciences, education, and business, emphasizing clarity and conciseness in citation and formatting.
How do I cite a source with multiple authors in APA 7 style?
+When citing a source with multiple authors, separate their names with commas and use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name. For example: (Smith, Johnson, & Williams, 2020).
What is the purpose of the reference list in APA 7 style?
+The reference list in APA 7 style includes all sources cited in the paper, formatted according to the type of source, and is arranged alphabetically by author’s last name.
