How to Cite American Psychological Association in APA Format

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

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

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Quick Reference: American Psychological Association 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 Psychological Association-Specific Notes:
The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style, particularly in its 7th edition, is unique in its emphasis on author prominence and its specific rules for formatting references and in-text citations. One of the notable features of APA is its structured approach to listing up to 20 authors for a single source, which differs significantly from more general citation styles that might use "et al." after a certain number. In APA, all author names are listed up to 20; beyond that, the first 19 names are listed, followed by an ellipsis and the final author's name. The format for listing authors is also distinct, requiring the surname followed by initials (e.g., Smith, J. A., & Doe, R. L.).

APA's specific formatting requirements extend to how dates are presented, the inclusion of DOIs or URLs for electronic sources, and the use of hanging indentations in the reference list. Unlike some styles that prioritize the publication title, APA prioritizes author-date citation, which helps contextualize research chronologically and by authority. This focus can be confusing for students who might be more familiar with citation styles that emphasize the title or use footnotes.

To avoid common mistakes, students should pay close attention to the order and format of author names, ensure the correct use of punctuation, and consistently apply italics and capitalization rules. Utilizing APA's official guidelines or reputable resources like the Purdue OWL can help in maintaining accuracy. It’s also beneficial to double-check each entry for proper DOI or URL inclusion, as these are critical for directing readers to the source material. By adhering to these specific details, students can achieve clarity and precision in their academic writing.

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

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

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

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Where to Find Citation Information on American Psychological Association

Navigating the American Psychological Association (APA) website to find citation information for journal articles can be straightforward if you know where to look. Here’s a detailed guide to locating the necessary details for citing an article in APA format.

1. Author(s):

When you access an article on the APA website, the author byline is typically found near the top of the article page. Look just below the article's title for the author names. They are usually listed in a horizontal line and may include hyperlinks leading to more information about each author. This placement is consistent across most articles on the APA website, making it a reliable first step in identifying the authors.

2. Publication Date:

The publication date on the APA website is generally located directly beneath the author byline. It is often formatted as "Month Day, Year" (e.g., March 15, 2022). This date indicates when the article was published online, which is crucial for your citation.

3. Article Title:

The title of the article is prominently displayed at the top of the page in a larger, bold font. This ensures that it stands out from the rest of the text. When citing, ensure you reproduce the title exactly as it appears, maintaining any special formatting or capitalization.

4. URL/Access Information:

The URL of the article is found in the address bar of your web browser. Make sure to copy the complete URL directly from the browser to include in your citation. On the APA website, direct article URLs typically start with "https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/". If you accessed the article through a database, note that the URL might differ, and you may need to include the name of the database used.

5. Additional Considerations:

Sometimes, the APA website may direct you to a PDF version of the article. In such cases, ensure you check both the webpage and the document itself for citation information, as PDFs might include additional details like page numbers or notes relevant to your citation.

By following these steps, you can efficiently gather all the necessary information for accurately citing an article from the APA website according to APA 7th edition guidelines. Always double-check each element to ensure accuracy and completeness, which is essential for maintaining the credibility and integrity of your academic work.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your American Psychological Association Citation

How to Create an American Psychological Association Citation

Creating an American Psychological Association (APA) citation is an essential skill for students and researchers. This guide will walk you through the process step by step. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure your citations are accurate and properly formatted.

What You Need

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Identify the Authors
    Action: Look for the names of the authors of the article. Typically, these will be located at the top of the article or on the first page.
    Verification: Check if there are two or more authors. If there are two, format it as "Author, A. A., & Author, B. B." If there are more than two, you will format the first author's name followed by "et al."
    Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.
    Tip: If you have trouble identifying names, search for the author's profile or their institutional affiliation online.

  2. Determine the Publication Year
    Action: Find the year the article was published. This is usually listed near the authors' names or at the end of the article.
    Verification: Make sure the year is in parentheses and followed by a period.
    Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.
    Tip: If the publication year is not readily available, consult the journal's website or database.

  3. Write the Title of the Article
    Action: Locate the title of the article. It should be in the main body of the article.
    Verification: Ensure that you capitalize only the first word of the title and any proper nouns.
    Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
    Tip: To save time, copy and paste the title directly from the article, then format it correctly.

  4. Identify the Journal Title
    Action: Look for the title of the journal in which the article was published. This is usually prominently displayed at the top of the article or on the journal's homepage.
    Verification: The journal title should be italicized and use title case (capitalize major words).
    Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.
    Tip: If you cannot find the journal title, try searching for the article in a database that lists the journal.

  5. Find the Volume and Issue Numbers
    Action: Locate the volume and issue numbers associated with the article. This information may be found near the journal title or in the citation section of the article.
    Verification: Ensure the volume number is italicized, and if there is an issue number, format it in parentheses right after the volume number.
    Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
    Tip: Many online databases will automatically provide you with this information.

  6. Determine the Page Range
    Action: Look for the page numbers where the article appears in the journal. This is typically listed at the top or bottom of the article.
    Verification: Ensure the page numbers are listed as a range (e.g., 123-134).
    Time Estimate: 1 minute.
    Tip: You can find page numbers in the PDF version of the article if available.

  7. Locate the DOI or URL
    Action: Find the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL of the article. This information is often found on the first page of the article or in the citation information.
    Verification: Ensure that the DOI starts with "https://doi.org/" or that the URL links directly to the article.
    Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.
    Tip: If you do not see a DOI, check the journal's website or use a DOI lookup tool.

  8. Assemble Your Citation
    Action: Combine all the elements you've gathered into the correct APA 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 formatting, including italics and punctuation.
    Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
    Tip: Use a citation management tool or software for future citations to save time and ensure accuracy.

Final Thoughts

Creating citations in APA format may seem daunting at first, but with practice, it becomes easier. By following these steps and utilizing the information

Real Examples from American Psychological Association

This section provides authentic citation examples from American Psychological Association using recent publications from 2023-2024.

I can provide guidance on how to format and create citations based on the APA 7th edition guidelines, but I can't access specific content from the American Psychological Association's journals or any other sources in real-time. However, I can help you understand how to structure citations for different scenarios using hypothetical examples. Here's how you can create APA citations for various types of authors and scenarios:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description: This is a research article authored by a single researcher discussing the impact of social media on mental health.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Smith, J. A. (2023). The influence of social media on adolescent mental health. Journal of Psychological Research, 58(2), 123-135. https://doi.org/10.1037/xyz1234

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

In-text Citation (Narrative Format): Smith (2023) discusses the influence of social media on mental health.

Notes: This example highlights a standard citation format for an individual author. It includes all necessary elements such as author initials, publication year, article title, journal name, volume, issue, page range, and DOI.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description: An article published by the American Psychological Association discussing new guidelines for psychological testing.

Complete Reference List Citation:
American Psychological Association. (2023). New guidelines for psychological testing. Journal of Psychological Practice, 25(3), 45-60. https://doi.org/10.1037/abc5678

In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format): (American Psychological Association, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative Format): According to the American Psychological Association (2023), the new guidelines are...

Notes: This citation demonstrates how to cite a corporate author, in this case, the American Psychological Association. It is important to spell out the full name of the organization in the citation.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description: A study conducted by multiple authors on the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Johnson, L. M., Chen, T. W., & Lee, K. S. (2023). Sleep deprivation and its impact on cognitive function. International Journal of Sleep Studies, 12(4), 201-215. https://doi.org/10.1037/def9012

In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format): (Johnson, Chen, & Lee, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative Format): Johnson, Chen, and Lee (2023) examine the impact of sleep deprivation...

Notes: This example illustrates how to list multiple authors in both the reference list and in-text citations. Note the use of the ampersand (&) in the parenthetical citation and the word "and" in the narrative citation.

Example 4: Special Formatting Cases

Scenario Description: An article that includes a subtitle, focusing on the relationship between exercise and mood disorders.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Brown, R. T., & Green, S. E. (2023). Exercise and mood disorders: Exploring the connection. Journal of Health Psychology, 45(1), 78-92. https://doi.org/10.1037/ghi3456

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

In-text Citation (Narrative Format): Brown and Green (2023) explore the connection between exercise and mood disorders.

Notes: This citation includes a subtitle, formatted with a colon separating the main title and the subtitle, which is not italicized or capitalized beyond the first word.

These examples demonstrate a variety of scenarios you might encounter when creating citations using APA 7th edition guidelines. Remember to adjust the formatting based on the specific details of the journal article you are referencing.

Common Issues When Citing American Psychological Association

Problem 1: Finding Authors

Issue Description:
Students often struggle to correctly identify the authors of publications from the American Psychological Association (APA). This is because APA publications, such as journal articles and reports, can have multiple authors, editorial boards, or institutional authors, leading to confusion.

Why It Happens:
APA publications can include collaborative works, making it difficult to decide who should be cited as the primary author. Additionally, students might mistakenly cite the organization (APA) itself as the author instead of the actual authors of the work.

Solution:
1. Identify Authors: Look for individual authors listed at the beginning of the article or report. If multiple authors are present, include all up to 20 authors in the reference. If there are more than 20, list the first 19, followed by an ellipsis, and then the final author.
2. Institutional Authors: If no individual authors are listed, the organization (e.g., a committee or task force within the APA) may be the author. Use the organization’s name in the author position.

Example:
- Before: American Psychological Association. (2020). Title of article.
- After: Smith, J., & Doe, A. (2020). Title of article.

Problem 2: Date Formats

Issue Description:
Students often face difficulties with the correct format and placement of publication dates when citing APA sources. This includes recognizing the correct date format, especially for online articles and reports.

Why It Happens:
APA style requires a specific date format (Year, Month Day) when available, but some APA publications may only provide partial dates, leading to inconsistency.

Solution:
1. Locate the Date: Check the article’s header or footer for a publication date. For online articles, the date might be near the article title or at the end.
2. Use the Correct Format: Always use the year alone if that’s the only date available. If more specific dates are provided, format as Year, Month Day.

Example:
- Before: (n.d.). Title of article.
- After: (2020, March 15). Title of article.

Problem 3: URL Handling

Issue Description:
Handling URLs in APA citations can be tricky, especially when URLs are long or require special access.

Why It Happens:
APA style mandates that URLs should be direct and accessible, but APA publications might be behind paywalls or have lengthy URLs that students are unsure how to abbreviate.

Solution:
1. Direct URLs: Use the URL that directly links to the article. Avoid URLs that require navigation through a database.
2. DOI Preference: If a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is available, use it instead of a URL as it provides a permanent link. Format DOI as: https://doi.org/xxxxxx
3. No Retrieval Dates: Do not include retrieval dates unless the content is intended to change over time (e.g., wikis).

Example:
- Before: Retrieved from http://www.example.com/very/long/url/that/is/complicated
- After: https://doi.org/10.1037/xxxxxx

Problem 4: Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Determining whether to cite the access date or include specific access information can confuse students.

Why It Happens:
Students may be unsure when to include retrieval dates or when access information is necessary, especially for content behind paywalls or subscription services.

Solution:
1. No Access Dates for Static Content: Do not include access dates for journal articles or static content.
2. Use DOIs for Paid Content: If the source is behind a paywall, use the DOI. If not available, mention the database name.

Example:
- Before: Retrieved on March 15, 2020, from [URL]
- After: Retrieved from Database Name (if no DOI and behind paywall)

By understanding these common citation challenges specific to APA publications and applying these solutions, students can enhance the accuracy and consistency of their references.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About American Psychological Association

Q: How can I navigate the American Psychological Association's website to find citation information for their publications?

A: Visit the APA’s website, specifically the "Style and Grammar Guidelines" section. This area provides comprehensive details on how to cite various sources, including examples and explanations that can guide you through the citation process for APA publications.

Q: What is the proper way to format author names from the American Psychological Association when citing in APA style?

A: When citing works published by the APA, format author names using the last name followed by initials (e.g., Smith, J. D.). If there are multiple authors, separate each by commas, and before the last author, use an ampersand (&).

Q: How should I format publication dates for American Psychological Association resources?

A: In APA format, include the year of publication in parentheses immediately after the author's name. If the APA publication includes a more specific date, such as a month or day, include this additional information as well (e.g., Smith, J. D. (2023, April 15)).

Q: What are the URL and access requirements for citing online resources from the American Psychological Association?

A: When citing APA online resources, include the direct URL of the document. If the resource is behind a paywall or requires specific access, note this in your citation, but generally, no retrieval date is needed unless the content is likely to change over time.

Q: How do American Psychological Association journal articles differ from other journal article sources in APA style citations?

A: While the overall format remains consistent with other journal articles, citing APA journal articles may require attention to specific elements like DOIs, which are commonly provided in APA publications. Ensure the DOI is included in the format "https://doi.org/xxxx" to fully adhere to APA guidelines.

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