How to Cite American Educational Research Journal in APA Format

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

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

Quick Reference: American Educational Research Journal 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 Educational Research Journal-Specific Notes:
Citing articles from the American Educational Research Journal (AERJ) follows the general principles of APA 7th edition, but there are specific nuances that are important to note. Firstly, like other APA-style journals, AERJ requires that you list up to 20 authors in the order they appear, using the authors' last names followed by their initials. This is consistent with APA 7th edition guidelines, which was an update from the 6th edition that only allowed for up to seven authors to be listed before using an ellipsis. Therefore, when citing an AERJ article with multiple authors, ensure you list all authors up to 20 before using an ellipsis if there are more.

A point of differentiation for AERJ is ensuring accuracy in the journal's title and the use of italics. Students often confuse the journal's name or fail to italicize it properly. The full title should be italicized in the citation: American Educational Research Journal. Additionally, students should pay attention to the specific volume and issue number formatting, which is a common area of confusion. The volume number should be italicized, followed by the issue number in parentheses, not italicized, e.g., American Educational Research Journal, 52(3).

To avoid common mistakes, students should double-check the source's DOI (Digital Object Identifier) and ensure it is formatted correctly as a URL: https://doi.org/xxxx. Consistency in punctuation, such as using commas and periods correctly, is crucial as well. Always cross-reference your citation against the most current APA guidelines to ensure compliance. Keeping a checklist of these specific requirements when citing AERJ articles can aid in avoiding errors and maintaining accuracy.

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

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

Last Updated: 2025-10-30 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

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

Where to Find Citation Information on American Educational Research Journal

Navigating the American Educational Research Journal's (AERJ) website to find citation information is a straightforward process, thanks to its user-friendly layout. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you efficiently locate the necessary details for crafting a proper citation in APA 7th edition format:

1. Finding the Author(s):
   - Once you have accessed an article on the AERJ website, the author byline is prominently displayed at the top of the article page. Immediately below the article title, you will find the names of the authors listed. This information is crucial as it provides the foundation for your citation.

2. Locating the Publication Date:
   - Directly beneath the author byline, you will see the publication date. It is typically formatted in a day-month-year sequence, such as "Published: March 15, 2023." This date is essential for your citation to indicate when the research was formally published.

3. Identifying the Article Title:
   - The article title is prominently displayed at the very top of the page, often in bold typeface. This is one of the most visible elements on the page and serves as the primary descriptor of the content you are citing.

4. Accessing the URL:
   - The URL is found in the browser’s address bar at the top of your web browser. It provides the direct link to the article and is necessary for your citation to allow others to access the source. Ensure you copy the entire URL, as it is specific to the article you are referencing.

5. Additional Access Information:
   - At the bottom of the article page, you may find additional access details such as DOI (Digital Object Identifier), which is a unique identifier for the article. The DOI is often preferred in academic citations as it provides a persistent link to the content. Look for a section labeled "Article Information" or similar at the bottom of the page for this detail.

The AERJ website’s consistency in layout across articles makes it easier for students to locate these components quickly. By following these steps, you will have all the information needed to construct a complete APA 7th edition reference. For instance, your reference might look like this:

Author(s). (Year, Month Day). Title of the article. American Educational Research Journal. URL

Remember, the key to effective citation is attention to detail and consistency in format, which this guide aims to ensure.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your American Educational Research Journal Citation

What You Need

Before you begin creating your citation for the American Educational Research Journal, ensure you have the following items:

1. Access to the article you wish to cite.
2. Basic information about the article, including:
   - Author(s) names
   - Year of publication
   - Title of the article
   - Journal title
   - Volume and issue numbers
   - Page range
   - DOI (Digital Object Identifier) if available

Step-by-Step Instructions to Create an APA Citation

Step 1: Identify the Authors

Action: Look at the article you want to cite. Identify the authors' names and their initials.

Verification: Ensure you list all authors in the correct format: Last name, First initial. For example, if the authors are John Smith and Jane Doe, you will write them as Smith, J., & Doe, J.

Time Estimate: 5 minutes

Tip: If there are multiple authors, remember to use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name.

Step 2: Find the Publication Year

Action: Locate the year the article was published. This is usually found at the top of the first page of the article or near the title.

Verification: Confirm that you have the correct year, formatted as (Year).

Time Estimate: 2 minutes

Tip: If the article has a specific month or season, it is not required in the citation, so only include the year.

Step 3: Gather the Article Title

Action: Write down the title of the article exactly as it appears in the publication.

Verification: Ensure that the title is in sentence case, meaning only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized. For example, "Understanding educational research" is correct.

Time Estimate: 3 minutes

Tip: If the title is long, focus on capturing the main idea. However, always provide the full title in the citation.

Step 4: Note the Journal Title

Action: Find the title of the journal in which the article is published.

Verification: The journal title should be italicized in your citation. For instance, the journal title is American Educational Research Journal.

Time Estimate: 2 minutes

Tip: Always ensure that the journal title is spelled correctly and in italics to meet APA formatting standards.

Step 5: Determine Volume and Issue Numbers

Action: Look for the volume and issue numbers of the journal. This information is usually located near the title of the journal or in the header of the article.

Verification: Ensure that you write the volume number in italics and the issue number in parentheses without italics. For example, if the volume is 55 and the issue is 2, you will write it as 55(2).

Time Estimate: 3 minutes

Tip: If the issue number is not available, you can omit it from the citation.

Step 6: Identify the Page Range

Action: Find the page range of the article. This is typically located at the top or bottom of the first page.

Verification: Make sure to include all pages the article spans. For example, if the article goes from page 123 to page 145, you will write it as 123-145.

Time Estimate: 2 minutes

Tip: Double-check for any additional pages that may have been missed, especially if the article is long.

Step 7: Locate the DOI

Action: Check if the article has a DOI. The DOI is often located at the top of the article or in the citation information section.

Verification: If a DOI is present, it should be formatted as a URL starting with "https://doi.org/". For example, https://doi.org/10.1234/abcd1234.

Time Estimate: 3 minutes

Tip: If there is no DOI available, you can omit this part of the citation.

Step 8: Compile the Citation

Action: Combine all components into the correct APA format: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx.

Verification: Review the citation for accuracy, ensuring all formatting rules have been followed.

Time Estimate: 5 minutes

Tip: Use a citation management tool or software if available, as this can help streamline the process.

Final Note

Creating citations can seem challenging at first, but by following these steps and verifying each component, you can develop accurate APA citations for your academic work. Remember to practice regularly

Real Examples from American Educational Research Journal

This section provides authentic citation examples from American Educational Research Journal using recent publications from 2023-2024.

I apologize for any inconvenience, but I am unable to access specific content from external websites such as the American Educational Research Journal on SAGE's platform to retrieve real-time data or articles published between 2023-2024. However, I can guide you on how to cite sources from such journals using the APA 7th edition format. Here’s how you can approach creating APA citations for hypothetical articles based on typical scenarios:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

1. Scenario Description: This is a standard research article authored by a single researcher, focusing on the impact of virtual learning environments on student engagement.

2. Complete Reference List Citation:
   Smith, J. A. (2023). Virtual learning environments and their effect on student engagement. American Educational Research Journal, 60(2), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.3102/1234567

3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical format):
   (Smith, 2023)

4. In-text Citation (Narrative format):
   Smith (2023) explores the impact of virtual learning environments on student engagement.

5. Notes: This example is noteworthy for its exploration of modern educational tools in a digital age, highlighting how technology affects learning dynamics.

Example 2: Corporate Author

1. Scenario Description: A report published by an educational organization analyzing nationwide reading comprehension trends.

2. Complete Reference List Citation:
   National Education Association. (2023). Trends in reading comprehension across the United States. American Educational Research Journal, 60(3), 200-220. https://doi.org/10.3102/7654321

3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical format):
   (National Education Association, 2023)

4. In-text Citation (Narrative format):
   According to the National Education Association (2023), reading comprehension trends have shifted significantly in recent years.

5. Notes: This example is unique as it represents a corporate author, emphasizing collective research efforts and institutional insights into educational trends.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

1. Scenario Description: A collaborative study conducted by three researchers on the cognitive benefits of bilingual education.

2. Complete Reference List Citation:
   Johnson, L. M., Rodriguez, P. Q., & Chen, H. R. (2024). Cognitive benefits of bilingual education: A cross-sectional study. American Educational Research Journal, 61(1), 50-75. https://doi.org/10.3102/8765432

3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical format):
   (Johnson, Rodriguez, & Chen, 2024)

4. In-text Citation (Narrative format):
   Johnson, Rodriguez, and Chen (2024) discuss the cognitive advantages observed in students participating in bilingual education programs.

5. Notes: This example highlights the collaboration among multiple researchers, a common practice in comprehensive studies that require diverse expertise.

Example 4: Special Formatting Case

1. Scenario Description: An article that includes a supplemental dataset published alongside the main article, focusing on teacher retention rates.

2. Complete Reference List Citation:
   Williams, R. T., & Ahmed, S. (2023). Teacher retention rates in urban schools: A supplemental data analysis. American Educational Research Journal, 60(4), 300-325. https://doi.org/10.3102/2345678

3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical format):
   (Williams & Ahmed, 2023)

4. In-text Citation (Narrative format):
   Williams and Ahmed (2023) provide a detailed analysis of teacher retention rates, supported by supplemental data.

5. Notes: This example is unique because it involves supplemental data, which is an important aspect of transparency and reproducibility in research.

These examples illustrate how to format citations for different scenarios using APA 7th edition guidelines, even without access to specific articles. When citing real articles, ensure to replace the hypothetical data with accurate details from the journal.

Common Issues When Citing American Educational Research Journal

Problem 1: Identifying Authors

Issue Description:
Students often encounter difficulties in identifying the correct authors to cite from the American Educational Research Journal (AERJ), especially when dealing with articles that have multiple contributors or editorial pieces.

Why It Happens:
AERJ, like many academic journals, frequently publishes articles authored by multiple researchers. Additionally, certain sections might be attributed to editorial teams rather than individual authors, leading to confusion.

Solution:
1. Locate the Article: Start by accessing the full-text version of the article through your institution's library or the AERJ website.
2. Identify the Authors: Look at the article's title page or the first page where authors are typically listed. Ensure each name is spelled correctly and in the order presented.
3. Check for Editorials or Special Sections: If the piece is an editorial or a special section, it may be attributed to an editorial board rather than individual authors. In this case, use the name of the editorial board as the author.

Example:
- Before: "Smith, J., & Doe, J. (Ed.)."
- After: "American Educational Research Journal Editorial Board."

Problem 2: Formatting the Date

Issue Description:
Citing the correct date format can be tricky, especially if students are unsure whether to include the month and day or just the year.

Why It Happens:
AERJ typically provides publication information in a format that may not be immediately clear, especially if students are accessing articles from databases that list multiple publishing dates (e.g., online first vs. print).

Solution:
1. Use the Year of Publication: For journal articles, only the year of publication is required in APA format.
2. Check the First Page or Citation Information: The publication year is often listed on the first page or in the citation information provided by AERJ.

Example:
- Before: "(2023, April 15)."
- After: "(2023)."

Problem 3: URL Handling for Online Articles

Issue Description:
Students are often unsure how to handle URLs for articles accessed online, especially when there are multiple links provided by the journal or library databases.

Why It Happens:
AERJ articles may be accessible through various platforms, and students might find different URL formats (DOI, persistent links, etc.), leading to confusion.

Solution:
1. Use DOIs When Available: APA format prioritizes the use of Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) over URLs.
2. Access the DOI: Look for the DOI on the article's first page or citation information.
3. Use the URL if DOI is Unavailable: If a DOI is not available, use a direct URL that leads to the article's landing page rather than the library database page.

Example:
- Before: "Retrieved from https://library.database.com/article?id=12345"
- After: "https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312231123456"

Problem 4: Access Requirements and Paywalls

Issue Description:
Students may struggle with citing articles that are behind paywalls or require institutional access.

Why It Happens:
Many AERJ articles are accessible only through institutional subscriptions or purchase, which can complicate the citation process if students are unsure how to denote restricted access.

Solution:
1. Cite as Usual: Even if the article is behind a paywall, the citation format remains the same. Do not include access information like “Retrieved from” if using a DOI.
2. Indicate Access Date Only if Necessary: Only include a retrieval date if the content is likely to change over time (which is not common for journal articles).

Example:
- Before: "Retrieved on October 10, 2023, from https://journals.sagepub.com/home/aerj"
- After: "https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312231123456"

By understanding these common citation challenges specific to AERJ and using APA 7th edition guidelines effectively, students can ensure their citations are accurate and consistent.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About American Educational Research Journal

Q: How can I find the necessary citation information on the American Educational Research Journal's website?

A: To find citation details on the American Educational Research Journal's website, navigate to the specific article's page. Look for sections labeled "Citation," "Article Information," or "Export Citation" to access details such as the authors, publication date, volume, issue, and DOI.

Q: How should I handle unique author formats when citing from the American Educational Research Journal?

A: When citing articles with multiple authors from the American Educational Research Journal, follow APA 7th edition guidelines: list up to 20 authors in the reference. For articles with more than 20 authors, list the first 19 authors, insert an ellipsis, and then add the final author's name.

Q: What should I do about publication date formats for articles from the American Educational Research Journal?

A: The American Educational Research Journal typically provides the publication date in a year format. Ensure that you use the year provided in your citation. If an exact day or month is available, include this information in parentheses after the year, using the format: (Year, Month Day).

Q: Are there specific URL or access requirements for citing articles from the American Educational Research Journal?

A: When citing articles from the American Educational Research Journal, include the DOI if available, as it provides a permanent link to the article. If no DOI is present, use the URL of the journal's homepage. Do not include database URLs or access dates unless the content is likely to change over time.

Q: How does citing the American Educational Research Journal differ from other journal article sources?

A: Citing the American Educational Research Journal in APA format follows standard journal article citation rules, but ensure to check for any unique details such as specific page ranges or supplementary material. This journal may also provide additional metadata, such as article titles with subtitles, requiring attention to detail in formatting.

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 Educational Research Journal 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.