How to Cite References in APA Format

Many organizations use the APA (American Psychological Association) format when citing sources, especially for the sciences. This format promotes equality, which is why initials are used instead of names, and the most recent research is mentioned at the beginning of the citation. Start with formatting citations in the text, and then list references by entering book, article, and other source information.

Table of Contents

Book quote

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/11/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-1-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px- Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-1-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/11/Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-1-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-1-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Enter the author’s last name in the citation in the reference list. In the APA format, you enter only initials and last names. Type a comma after the last name, and then type the first letters of the first and middle name, if both. ^{[1] X Research Source}

For example, your quote would start like this:
- Ford, RG (Author Ford, RG)
If the source has multiple authors, separate the names with a comma and an “&”.
- Ford, RG, Macintosh, JP, & Rose, PM (Author Ford, RG, Macintosh, JP, & Rose, PM)

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/7c/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-2-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px- Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-2-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/7c/Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-2-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-2-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Add year of publication. Put the year in parentheses, followed by a period. You can find the year of publication on the top or bottom title page. ^{[2] X Trusted Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Go to Source}

You will enter the following information:
- Ford, RG (2015). (Author Ford, RG (published in 2015).)

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/0e/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-3-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px- Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-3-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/0e/Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-3-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-3-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Enter the title of the book. Choose an italic font for the title of the book. Enter information in uppercase, which means that only the first word (and proper noun) should be capitalized. You will also capitalize the first word after the colon. ^{[3] X Trusted Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Go to Source}

Now your quote becomes:
- Ford, RG (2015). The benefits of natural grass. (Author Ford, RG (published in 2015). The title of the book roughly translates as “Benefits of Natural Grass”).

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/4c/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-4-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px- Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-4-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/4c/Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-4-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-4-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Enter the location and publisher name. Add the publishing city, comma, and province. Next, enter a colon, followed by the publisher name. Put a period after the publisher name. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Now your quote should look like this:
- Ford, RG (2015). The benefits of natural grass. Eugene, Oregon: University of Oregon. (By Ford, RG (published in 2015). The title of the book roughly translates as “Benefits of Natural Grass.” In Eugene City, Oregon: University of Oregon Press.)
This quote is complete if you have no other information available.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/ab/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-5-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px- Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-5-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/ab/Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-5-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-5-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Add the reprint number after the title if it is a reprinted book. Put the number of copies in parentheses by writing the number (2nd, 3rd, etc.) and the abbreviation “ed”. The number of copies should be entered before the dot after the title. You can find this information on the back of the title page. ^{[5] X Trusted Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Go to Source}

The quote will become:
- Ford, RG (2015). The benefits of natural grass (3rd ed.). Eugene, Oregon: University of Oregon. (By Ford, RG (published in 2015). The title of the book roughly translates as “Benefits of Natural Grass” (3rd ed.) In Eugene, Oregon: University of Oregon Press.)

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e9/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-6-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px- Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-6-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e9/Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-6-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-6-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Add the translator’s name after the title, if any. Mention the translator’s name in parentheses by entering initials and surnames. Add the acronym “Trans.” after the person’s name. You need to put this information after the dot next to the book title. ^{[6] X Trusted Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Go to Source}

Your citation should look like this:
- Ford, RG (2015). The benefits of natural grass . (Frank Roberts, Trans.). Eugene, Oregon: University of Oregon. (By Ford, RG (published in 2015). The title of the book roughly translates as “Benefits of Natural Grass.” (Translated by Frank Roberts.) In Eugene, Oregon: University of Oregon Press.)

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/f5/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-7-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px- Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-7-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f5/Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-7-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-7-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Create in-text citations. This quote is placed in a sentence with citation information. Enter the author’s last name in the sentence or in parentheses before the end punctuation. Next, enter the year of publication, comma, and page number. While page numbers aren’t strictly necessary unless you’re using direct citations, it’s fine to add them. ^{[7] X Trusted Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Go to Source}

Your quote becomes the following:
- As noted by Ford (2015, p. 124), AstroTurf isn’t a good alternative to grass. (According to Ford (published in 2015, p. 124), AstroTurf is not a good alternative to grass.)
At the end of the sentence, the quote would be:
- AstroTurf is not a viable substitute for real grass (Ford, 2015, p. 124). (AstroTurf is not a viable alternative to real grass (Author Ford, published 2015, pp. 124).)
If you need to mention more than one author, enter the information in the following way:
- As noted by Ford, Macintosh, & Rose (2015, p. 88), AstroTurf can be damaging to players. (According to Ford, Macintosh and Rose (published in 2015, p. 88), AstroTurf can cause injury to players.)
After your first quote includes multiple authors, you would write something like this:
- As noted by Ford et al. (2015, p. 75), AstroTurf is detrimental. (According to Ford and other authors (published in 2015, p. 75), AstroTurf is no good.)

Create a citation for the article

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/40/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-8-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px- Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-8-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/40/Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-8-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-8-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Begin the citation in the reference list with the author’s last name, followed by the initials of the name. Similar to quoting a book, you’ll enter the author’s last name at the beginning. Put a comma between the last name and initials. Add the initials of the middle name if the book is mentioned or the author has a middle name. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

The citation will look like this:
- Cpe, BR (Author Cpe, BR)
If the article has multiple authors, you need to complete the information separated by commas and “&”. Enter only the initials of the first name and then the last name. For example:
- Cpe, BR, Jackson, GH, & Briar, JP (Author Cpe, BR, Jackson, GH, and Briar, JP)

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e7/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-9-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px- Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-9-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e7/Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-9-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-9-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Add year of publication. Put the year in parentheses. Usually you will see the year at the top of the article or in the data section of the paper. Enter a period after the closing bracket. ^{[9] X Trusted Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Go to Source}

Your citation should look like this:
- Cpe, BR (2010). (Author Cpe, BR (published in 2010).)

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/9/91/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-10.jpg/v4-460px-Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-10.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/9/91/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format- Step-10.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-10.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Enter the title of the article. Do not choose the italic style, and only type in capital letters at the beginning of the sentence. That means you only capitalize the first letter, proper noun, and first word after the colon. ^{[10] X Trusted Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Go to Source}

Now your quote should look like this:
- Cpe, BR (2010). Why we should use grass for playing fields. (Author Cpe, BR (published in 2010). Why we should use grass for football field.)

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/00/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-11.jpg/v4-460px-Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-11.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/00/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format- Step-11.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-11.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Add the journal title after the article title. Capitalize the journal title the way it is written, and choose italic. Enter a comma after the journal name. ^{[11] X Research Source}

The quote will become:
- Cpe, BR (2010). Why we should use grass for playing fields. Sports Field Journal, (Author Cpe, BR (published in 2010). Why we should use grass for football fields. “Sport Field Journal”,)

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/c/c7/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-12-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px- Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-12-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/c7/Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-12-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-12-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Add volume, period, and/or page number. Some journals are paginated by volume. In that case, you would add the volume number in italics, commas, and the page number of the article. Some journals are paginated by period. In that case, add the volume in italics, enter the period in quotation marks but not italic, and the page number. ^{[12] X Trusted Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Go to Source}

For a volume-paged journal, the citation will look like this:
- Cpe, BR (2010). Why we should use grass for playing fields. Sports Field Journal, 66 , 859-863. (Author Cpe, BR (published in 2010). Why we should use grass for football fields. “Sport Field Magazine, vol. 66”, pp. 859-856.)
For paginated periodicals, the citation is written as follows:
- Cpe, BR (2010). Why we should use grass for playing fields. Sports Field Journal, 16 (6), 20-16. (Author Cpe, BR (published in 2010). Why we should use grass for football fields. “Sport Field Magazine, vol. 16” (6th issue), pp. 20-16.)
If that’s all the information you have, the citation is complete.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/9/9e/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-13.jpg/v4-460px-Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-13.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/9/9e/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format- Step-13.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-13.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Add the DOI number if the article has this information. Most articles have a DOI – the article identifier. This information is the same as the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) number for the article. This is information that’s often included in new articles, but if yours isn’t, don’t bother. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Now the quote becomes:
- Cpe, BR (2010). Why we should use grass for playing fields. Sports Field Journal, 66 , 859-863. doi:10.1434234234 (Author Cpe, BR (published in 2010) Why we should use grass for football fields “Sport Field Magazine, vol. 66”, pp. 859-856. doi:10.1434234234)

Create another quote

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/d7/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-16-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px- Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-16-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d7/Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-16-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-16-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Enter citations for book essays the same way you would enter citations for articles in the reference list. Although you do not enter the same information, the way you enter the essay citation in the book is the same. Enter the author’s name, date, essay title, and then add the title of the book. You would use “In” with the editor’s name before the title, followed by a comma and the title. Add locations and publishers. ^{[16] X Trusted Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Go to Source}

The essay quote would be:
- Braxton, NK (2011). Finding the right playing field. In JL Washington and MP Hicks (Eds.), AstroTurf versus real grass: The dilemma (55-74). Miami, OK: Small Town Press. (By Braxton, NK (published in 2011). Title roughly translates as Finding the right football field Edited by JL Washington and MP Hicks, title roughly translates to AstroTurf and real grass: the hard problem (p. 55-74). At Miami House, OK: Small Town Press.)
You need to enter “Eds.” in parentheses so viewers know these are the editors. The number in parentheses after the title (in italics) is the page number of the essay in the book.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/76/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-17.jpg/v4-460px-Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-17.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/76/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format- Step-17.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-17.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

When citing your thesis, you should note whether it has been published. Enter the thesis citation as you would enter a book citation, but add “Unpublished doctoral dissertation” after the title in brackets if it has not been published. Enter the agency name, comma, and location. ^{[17] X Research Source}

The basic citation looks like this:
- Harbor, LR (2010). Astroturf and the playing field (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Oregon, Eugene, OR. (By Harbor, LR (published in 2010). Title roughly translates as “AstroTurf and the Soccer Field” (Unpublished PhD thesis). University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.)
If the thesis is already published, you would enter “Doctoral dissertation”, a comma, and then enter “Retrieved from” and the database. You also need to enter the serial number and registration number in parentheses as follows:
- Price, HF (2012). Why AstroTurf should be outlawed (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from Sports Central Database. (244412321) (Author Price, HF (published in 2012) “Title roughly translates as “Why AstroTurf Should Be Banned” (PhD Thesis) Retrieved from Sports Central Database (244412321) )

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/9/98/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-18.jpg/v4-460px-Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-18.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/9/98/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format- Step-18.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-18.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Enter the organization name first if it’s the author. Some brochures and informational materials are written by organizations or corporations. Instead of entering a personal name, you’ll use the organization name when mentioning the author’s name. If you know the specific author’s name, you’ll put this at the end of the citation, after the location. ^{[18] X Trusted Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Go to Source}

Your quote should look something like this:
- The Society for the Best Playing Fields. (2009). Data on injuries across different types of fields. Eugene, OR: GH Roberts. (The Best Soccer Fields Association. (Published in 2009) “Injury Statistics on All Types of Courts.” Eugene, Oregon: by GH Roberts.)
Type in the same way for administrative documents, but you need to add the number after the title in parentheses, and enter the unit of issue at the end of the citation:
- National Institute of Sports. (2001). Study of various types of turf for playing fields (DHHS Publication No. ADM 553234-131). Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. (American Institute of Sport. (published in 2001) A Study of Soccer Field Soils (DHHS Publication No. ADM 553234-131) Washington, DC: Office of Administrative Printing. USA.)

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/0f/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-19.jpg/v4-460px-Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-19.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/0f/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format- Step-19.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-19.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Add the URL at the end of the citation. If you use a report or document online, enter the author’s name and publication date first. Next, type the title of the text in italics. Finally, enter “Retrieved from” and the URL of the website. ^{[19] X Trusted Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Go to Source}

For example, you would enter a citation in the following form:
- Vicks, HR & Jackson, GH (2014). The advantages of AstroTurf. Retrieved from http://www.astroturfinformationfoundation.com/advantages_of_astroturf/Vicks_Jackson (Authors Vicks, HR and Jackson, GH (published 2014) “Advantages of AstroTurf.” Retrieved from http://www.astroturfinformationfoundation. com/advantages_of_astroturf/Vicks_Jackson)

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/b1/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-20.jpg/v4-460px-Cite-a- Source-in-APA-Format-Step-20.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/b1/Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format- Step-20.jpg/v4-728px-Cite-a-Source-in-APA-Format-Step-20.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Add citations right at the sentence with citation information. When entering an in-text citation, you can enter the author’s name in the sentence; In this case, the citation is allowed to be entered immediately after the name in parentheses without adding the author’s last name. Otherwise, the quote must be enclosed in parentheses at the end of the sentence. Add author’s last name, comma, date of publication, comma, and page number. Enter page numbers for direct citations; If you are not adding a direct citation, you can also add a page number, but this is optional. ^{[20] X Trusted Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Go to Source}

If you mention the author’s name in a sentence, use the following pattern:
- As noted by Ford (2015, p. 124), AstroTurf isn’t a good alternative to grass. (According to Ford (published in 2015, p. 124), AstroTurf is not a good alternative to grass.)
At the end of the sentence, the quote would be:
- AstroTurf is not a viable substitute for real grass (Ford, 2015, p. 124). (AstroTurf is not a viable alternative to real grass (author Ford, published 2014, pp. 124).)
If you need to import multiple authors, list them in full:
- As noted by Ford, Macintosh, & Rose (2015, p. 88), AstroTurf can be damaging to players. (According to Ford, Macintosh and Rose (published in 2015, p. 88), AstroTurf can cause player injury.)
After the first citation there are multiple authors; you just need to type “et al.”
- As noted by Ford et al. (2015, p. 75), AstroTurf is detrimental. (According to Ford and other authors (published in 2015, p. 75), AstroTurf is no good.)

Advice

If you need more information, refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychpogical Association or Purdue’s Online Writing Lab at https://owl.purdue.edu/owl /research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html.
You can also use citation generators such as https://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/, https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/citationbuilder/, or a word processing program. ^{[21] X Research Source}

Steps

Book quote

Create a citation for the article

Create another quote

Advice

Related Posts