How to Cite American Economic Review in APA Format

Complete guide to citing American Economic Review in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

American Economic Review presents unique citation challenges that require specific guidance beyond general source type rules. This page provides targeted help for finding citation information, handling American Economic Review's particular format requirements, and avoiding common mistakes specific to this platform.

Quick Reference: American Economic Review Citations

Reference List Format:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx

American Economic Review-Specific Notes:
Citing sources from the American Economic Review (AER) involves some unique considerations due to its prestige and specific formatting preferences that might differ slightly from general APA guidelines. While the American Economic Review largely adheres to the American Economic Association's guidelines, which are in line with many standard citation styles, there are nuances that students should be aware of. For instance, when citing articles from the AER, it is essential to pay attention to the specific order and formatting of author names, publication year, article title, journal title, volume, issue, and page numbers.

One of the key differences from standard APA citation rules is the treatment of multiple authors. In APA 7th edition, up to 20 authors should be listed by last name followed by initials. This is similar for AER articles; however, students often get confused with the order and the punctuation used between author names. Ensure each initial is followed by a period and that authors are separated by commas, with an ampersand before the final author's name.

A common point of confusion arises with the journal title's presentation. In AER, the journal title should be italicized just like in APA, but students often forget to italicize the volume number as well. Additionally, the issue number, which follows the volume number and is enclosed in parentheses, is not italicized. Best practices for citing the AER include double-checking each part of the citation for proper italics and punctuation, and ensuring that digital object identifiers (DOIs) are presented in the format "https://doi.org/xxxx". By carefully following these guidelines, students can effectively avoid common mistakes and ensure accurate citations.

In-Text Citation:
- Parenthetical: ([Author], [Year])
- Narrative: [Author] ([Year])

Key Points:
- Use Journal Article format with American Economic Review specifics
- Locate citation info on American Economic Review's website
- Handle American Economic Review's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-10-31 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

Jump to Examples | Jump to Common Issues | Check Your Citation

Where to Find Citation Information on American Economic Review

The American Economic Review (AER) is a prestigious journal that provides high-quality articles on a variety of economic topics. When you are looking to cite an article from the AER, there are specific steps you can follow to locate all necessary citation information. Here’s a detailed guide to help you navigate their website effectively:

1. Accessing the Journal:
   - Begin by visiting the official website of the American Economic Review. You can find it by searching "American Economic Review" on a search engine or going directly to the AEA website at https://www.aeaweb.org/journals/aer.

2. Locating Articles:
   - Once on the AER page, navigate through the ‘Issues’ or ‘Articles’ section to find the article you need. You can use the search bar to input keywords, author names, or article titles for quicker access.

3. Finding the Author Byline:
   - After selecting an article, you will typically find the author byline at the top of the article page, just beneath the article title. It is usually presented in a clear, bold format that includes the full names of the authors.

4. Identifying the Publication Date:
   - The publication date is generally located under the article title or the author names. It may appear as a full date (month, day, year) or simply as a month and year. This information is crucial for your citation and is usually easy to spot.

5. Finding the Article Title:
   - The title of the article is prominently displayed at the top of the page. It is essential to note the exact wording and punctuation since APA format requires accurate representation of titles.

6. URL/Access Information:
   - The URL for the article is found in the browser’s address bar. This is the direct link to the article page and should be included in your citation. If the article is behind a paywall, note the access date as well, indicating when you accessed it.

7. Additional Information:
   - For complete citation information, check for a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), often listed near the article's title or abstract. The DOI provides a permanent link to the article and is preferred in citations.

By following these steps, you can efficiently gather all the necessary citation details for an article from the American Economic Review. Their site’s layout is designed to make navigation straightforward, ensuring that you can easily access the information you need for accurate academic citations. Remember to adhere to APA 7th edition guidelines when formatting your citation, which includes author(s), publication year, title of the article, title of the journal, volume number, issue number, page range, and the DOI or URL.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your American Economic Review Citation

How to Create an American Economic Review Citation in APA Style

Citing academic articles correctly is essential for any research paper or project. The American Economic Review is a prominent journal in economics, and knowing how to cite it properly in APA style is vital for your academic success. Here are step-by-step instructions to help you create an accurate citation.

What You Need

1. Access to the article you want to cite.
2. Basic information about the authors, year of publication, article title, journal title, volume, issue, and page numbers.
3. A computer or a device with internet access.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Identify the Authors
   - Action: Look for the names of the authors at the top of the article. They are usually listed before the title.
   - Verification: Make sure to note the first initial of the first name, followed by the last name. If there are multiple authors, separate them with an ampersand (&).
   - Time Estimate: 1 minute.
   - Tip for Efficiency: If there are many authors, ensure you have the correct order as it is important in citations.

2. Find the Year of Publication
   - Action: Look for the year the article was published. This information is often found near the article title or in the header.
   - Verification: Ensure you are citing the correct year, especially if the article has multiple versions or editions.
   - Time Estimate: 1 minute.
   - Tip for Efficiency: Write down the year immediately after finding it to avoid confusion later on.

3. Locate the Title of the Article
   - Action: The title of the article is usually in bold or italicized text. Make sure to copy it exactly as it appears, paying attention to capitalization.
   - Verification: Check if the title is correctly formatted, as only the first word and proper nouns should be capitalized.
   - Time Estimate: 1 minute.
   - Tip for Efficiency: Use quotation marks when writing the title to help you remember its exact wording.

4. Find the Journal Title and Volume Number
   - Action: Look for the journal name, which is typically italicized. Next, find the volume number, which usually follows the journal title.
   - Verification: Confirm that the journal title and volume number are correct and in the correct format.
   - Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
   - Tip for Efficiency: Keep a consistent format, using italics for the journal title and regular font for the volume number.

5. Identify the Issue Number
   - Action: Check if the journal has an issue number, which is typically placed in parentheses right after the volume number.
   - Verification: Ensure to include the issue number only if it is available, as not all journals will have them.
   - Time Estimate: 1 minute.
   - Tip for Efficiency: Use the same format as the volume number and ensure you have the correct parentheses.

6. Determine the Page Range
   - Action: Look for the pages on which the article appears. This information is often found at the bottom of the article or in the header.
   - Verification: Make sure to include the full range of pages (e.g., 123-145).
   - Time Estimate: 1 minute.
   - Tip for Efficiency: Write down the page numbers as you see them, to avoid missing any parts.

7. Find the DOI (Digital Object Identifier)
   - Action: Search for the DOI, which is a unique alphanumeric string assigned to the article. It can often be found at the top or bottom of the article.
   - Verification: Make sure the DOI is complete and formatted correctly, starting with “https://doi.org/.”
   - Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
   - Tip for Efficiency: If the DOI is not listed, you may be able to find it by searching online for the article title along with "DOI."

8. Compile the Citation
   - Action: Using the information you have gathered, compile it into the APA citation format. Follow the template:
   Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx
   - Verification: Double-check your citation against the APA format rules to ensure accuracy.
   - Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
   - Tip for Efficiency: Use a citation management tool or software that can help you format citations automatically.

Final Thoughts

Creating a citation for the American Economic Review in APA style

Real Examples from American Economic Review

This section provides authentic citation examples from American Economic Review using recent publications from 2023-2024.

I understand your request, but as of my training data, I cannot access real-time content or external databases to provide the most recent articles from 2023-2024. However, I can guide you on how to format citations in APA 7th edition based on hypothetical scenarios for articles you might find in the American Economic Review. Here's how you can structure your citations:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description: This is a standard research article by a single author analyzing economic growth patterns.

Reference List Citation:
Smith, J. A. (2023). Analyzing economic growth patterns in developing countries. American Economic Review, 113(5), 1234-1256. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.113.5.1234

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Smith, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
Smith (2023) analyzes economic growth patterns in developing countries.

Notes: This example is noteworthy for its straightforward format, typical of individual authorship in academic journals.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description: A report published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on global financial stability.

Reference List Citation:
International Monetary Fund. (2023). Global financial stability report. American Economic Review, 113(6), 789-812. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.113.6.789

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(International Monetary Fund, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
According to the International Monetary Fund (2023), global financial stability is crucial for economic development.

Notes: This example highlights how corporate authors are cited, emphasizing the organization rather than an individual.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description: A collaborative piece by three economists on the impacts of trade policy on local labor markets.

Reference List Citation:
Johnson, L. M., Kim, S. Y., & Patel, R. T. (2023). The impacts of trade policy on local labor markets. American Economic Review, 113(7), 456-478. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.113.7.456

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Johnson, Kim, & Patel, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
Johnson, Kim, and Patel (2023) explore the impacts of trade policy on local labor markets.

Notes: This example is important for illustrating how to properly cite works with multiple authors, listing all names in the reference list and using "et al." for in-text citations if there are more than two authors.

Example 4: Special Formatting Case

Scenario Description: A theoretical paper with an unusually long title.

Reference List Citation:
Nguyen, T. H., & Brown, M. C. (2023). Exploring the theoretical underpinnings and practical implications of macroeconomic policies on sustainable development: A comprehensive analysis. American Economic Review, 113(8), 234-256. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.113.8.234

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Nguyen & Brown, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
Nguyen and Brown (2023) provide a comprehensive analysis of macroeconomic policies.

Notes: This example stands out due to its lengthy title, demonstrating APA's flexibility in handling long titles without sacrificing clarity.

These examples demonstrate a variety of citation scenarios you might encounter with articles from the American Economic Review. Remember, the format remains consistent, but the specifics might change based on authorship and content type.

Common Issues When Citing American Economic Review

Problem 1: Identifying Authors

Issue Description:
One common issue students face when citing articles from the American Economic Review (AER) is identifying the correct authorship information. This is often because articles can have multiple authors, and the roles of contributors may not always be clear at first glance.

Why It Happens:
AER often lists multiple authors for each paper, and sometimes authorship can include contributions from editors or guest editors. Additionally, the presentation of authorship information on the AER website can sometimes be less straightforward, especially if you are accessing the content through a third-party database.

Solution:
1. Access the Article: Go directly to the AER website or use a reliable academic database that provides full access to the journal.
2. Locate the Authorship Information: Look for the authors' names at the top of the article in the PDF or on the webpage where the article is displayed.
3. Check the Acknowledgments Section: Sometimes, the role of contributors is clarified in this section, ensuring you are listing the correct individuals as authors.
4. Use APA Format for Multiple Authors: If there are more than 20 authors, list the first 19, insert an ellipsis, and then add the last author's name.

Example:
- Before: "Smith et al., 2020"
- After: "Smith, J., Doe, A., Brown, B., & Johnson, C. (2020)."

Problem 2: Date Formats

Issue Description:
Students often struggle with correctly formatting the publication date, especially when differentiating between online first articles and those published in print.

Why It Happens:
AER provides articles online before they appear in print, and this can lead to confusion about which date to use. APA guidelines require using the year of the online publication unless the article is updated with a print publication date.

Solution:
1. Identify the Article Type: Check if the article is an "online first" publication or if it has a specific print issue date.
2. Use the Correct Date Format: For online first articles, use the year of the online release. For print, use the year the article appeared in the issue.
3. Format Accordingly in APA Style: Use the year only, unless you need to specify more detail for online resources.

Example:
- Before: "2020-05-15"
- After: "2020"

Problem 3: Handling URLs

Issue Description:
Citing URLs from AER articles can be problematic, particularly when students use subscription-based access links, which are not suitable for citation.

Why It Happens:
Many students access AER through university databases, which often provide proxy or subscription-specific URLs that are not accessible to the general public.

Solution:
1. Identify the DOI: AER articles typically have a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), which is a permanent and stable link.
2. Use the DOI in Place of URLs: Instead of a URL, include the DOI formatted as a URL (https://doi.org/).
3. Ensure Accessibility: Confirm that the DOI link leads directly to the article or its abstract.

Example:
- Before: "Retrieved from http://universitylibrary.edu/aer/article12345"
- After: "https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.20201234"

Problem 4: Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Students sometimes cite articles without realizing that the content might not be accessible to everyone due to subscription barriers.

Why It Happens:
AER articles are often behind paywalls, and students with institutional access might not realize this limitation when completing their citations.

Solution:
1. Check Accessibility: Before citing, verify if the article is publicly accessible or if it requires specific access privileges.
2. Note Access Restrictions Where Necessary: If the article requires special access, consider including a note in your research or on a reference page about the access requirement, especially if sharing the work with a broader audience.

Example:
- Before: No indication of access restriction.
- After: Include a note indicating "Accessed through [Institution Name] Library."

By addressing these common citation challenges, students can ensure their references to the American Economic Review are accurate, consistent, and accessible, adhering to the APA 7th edition guidelines.

Note: For general Journal Article citation errors, see How to Cite Journal Article.

Frequently Asked Questions About American Economic Review

Q: How can I navigate the American Economic Review's website to find the necessary citation information for APA format?

A: Visit the American Economic Review's website and locate the article you wish to cite. Look for the "Cite this article" or "Citation" section, often found near the abstract or at the bottom of the article page, to gather essential details like the author's name(s), publication year, article title, journal title, volume, issue, and page numbers.

Q: What should I do if an article from the American Economic Review has multiple authors with unconventional formats?

A: In APA format, list up to 20 authors for a single article. If the American Economic Review uses initials or non-standard formats, convert them to the standard APA format: last name followed by initials (e.g., Smith, J. R.). Use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name if there are multiple authors.

Q: How do I handle the publication date formats in American Economic Review articles for APA citations?

A: The American Economic Review typically provides the publication date in the year format, sometimes including the month or season (e.g., 2023 or Spring 2023). Use the full date provided in your citation, formatted in parentheses after the author(s): (2023) or (Spring 2023).

Q: What are the requirements for including URLs or DOIs when citing articles from the American Economic Review in APA format?

A: In APA format, always include a DOI if available, formatted as a URL (e.g., https://doi.org/xxxx). If no DOI is provided, include the direct URL of the article from the American Economic Review's website, ensuring it leads directly to the content.

Q: How does citing an article from the American Economic Review differ from other journal article sources in APA format?

A: While the basic structure of an APA citation remains consistent, the American Economic Review may have specific stylistic nuances such as author formats, detailed publication dates, or DOI availability. Always verify details directly from their site to ensure accuracy and adherence to APA guidelines, especially since these elements can vary across journals.

Related Guides

Similar Source Types:

• Journal Article - Complete guide to citing journal article

Related Specific Sources:

• Similar Source - How to cite similar sources

Validation Guides:

• Check Capitalization
• Validate URL Format
• Check Author Formatting
• Validate DOI Format

Need More Help?

• Citation Checker Tool - Validate your American Economic Review citations automatically
• Complete APA Guide - Comprehensive APA 7th edition reference

Still Have Questions?

If you couldn't find the answer you're looking for, try our citation checker tool or browse all APA guides.