How to Cite The Quarterly Journal of Economics in APA Format

Complete guide to citing The Quarterly Journal of Economics in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

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

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Quick Reference: The Quarterly Journal of Economics Citations

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

The Quarterly Journal of Economics-Specific Notes:
Citing articles from The Quarterly Journal of Economics (QJE) in APA 7th edition format generally follows standard journal citation rules, but there are some areas where students often encounter confusion. The basic format includes the author(s), year of publication, title of the article, title of the journal in italics, volume number in italics, issue number in parentheses (if available), page range, and the DOI or URL. For example, a citation might look like this: Smith, J. A., & Doe, R. L. (2023). The impact of economic policy on growth. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 138(2), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1093/qje/qjz001.

A unique aspect of citing QJE articles is the requirement to use the official journal abbreviation, which is often overlooked by students. Although APA generally requires the full title of the journal, for QJE, it's important to consistently use "The Quarterly Journal of Economics" as it appears on the journal's official website and publications. Another point of confusion is the author's initials. When listing multiple authors, up to 20 should be included in the reference list. This is a standard APA rule that some students mistakenly truncate, thinking it applies only to smaller numbers of authors.

Best practices for citing The Quarterly Journal of Economics include double-checking the DOI, as these are often crucial for direct access to articles. Additionally, students should ensure correct usage of italics and capitalization, particularly with journal titles and volume numbers. Finally, regularly consulting the journal’s website for any specific citation guidelines or updates can help avoid errors that stem from outdated practices. By adhering to these standards, students can ensure their citations are both accurate and professional.

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

Key Points:
- Use Journal Article format with The Quarterly Journal of Economics specifics
- Locate citation info on The Quarterly Journal of Economics's website
- Handle The Quarterly Journal of Economics's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-11-01 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Where to Find Citation Information on The Quarterly Journal of Economics

The Quarterly Journal of Economics is a prestigious academic journal frequently used by students for economic research. When citing articles from this journal, it's crucial to gather citation information accurately. Here is a step-by-step guide to finding the necessary citation details on The Quarterly Journal of Economics' website.

  1. Access the Journal Online: Start by accessing The Quarterly Journal of Economics through your institution’s library portal, as this journal often requires a subscription for full access. Alternatively, you may use databases like JSTOR or directly visit the journal's homepage if you have access.

  2. Finding the Article: Use the search functionality on the journal’s website or through your library’s database to locate the specific article you need. You can search by keywords, author name, or article title to find the relevant paper.

  3. Author Information: Once you have located the article, look for the author byline. Typically, this information is prominently displayed at the top of the article, just below the title. The authors' names are usually listed in a larger font or bold typeface, making them easy to spot.

  4. Publication Date: The publication date is typically found directly below the article title and author byline. It is often presented in a smaller font but should be easy to locate as it usually follows a standard format: Month, Year or simply the Year.

  5. Article Title: The title of the article will be at the very top of the page, usually in bold and larger font size than the rest of the text. Ensure that you note the title exactly as it appears, including any subtitles or punctuation.

  6. URL and Access Information: The URL for the article is found in your browser’s address bar. If you are accessing the journal through a database, you might be directed to a unique URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) link. Always use the DOI link if available, as it provides a permanent link to the article.

  7. Additional Details: For a comprehensive citation, also note the volume and issue number, which are usually found near the publication date or in the article header/footer.

By following these steps, you can accurately gather the essential citation information for articles from The Quarterly Journal of Economics. This process ensures adherence to academic standards and proper credit to the original authors, which is crucial for scholarly work.


Step-by-Step: Creating Your The Quarterly Journal of Economics Citation

How to Create a Citation for The Quarterly Journal of Economics

Creating a proper citation for an academic journal like The Quarterly Journal of Economics is essential for any research paper. This step-by-step guide will help you format your citation correctly in APA style.

What You Need

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Identify the Authors
    Action: Locate the authors' names from the article.
    Verification: The authors' names are usually found at the beginning of the article. Ensure you identify them correctly, as they are critical for your citation.
    Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.
    Tip for Efficiency: Write down the authors' names in the format "Last Name, First Initial." If there are multiple authors, separate them with commas and use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name.

  2. Find the Publication Year
    Action: Check the article to find the year of publication.
    Verification: The publication year is typically listed near the title or in the header of the first page. Make sure to note the correct year.
    Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.
    Tip for Efficiency: Write down the year immediately after the authors' names in your notes to keep your citation organized.

  3. Write the Title of the Article
    Action: Locate the title of the article and write it down.
    Verification: The title can be found prominently displayed at the top of the article. Ensure to capitalize only the first word of the title and any proper nouns.
    Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
    Tip for Efficiency: Double-check spelling and punctuation as you write the title to avoid errors later.

  4. Identify the Journal Title
    Action: Look for the title of the journal, which is The Quarterly Journal of Economics.
    Verification: The journal title is usually located at the top of the article or in the header. Make sure to italicize the journal title in your citation.
    Time Estimate: 1 minute.
    Tip for Efficiency: Keep the journal title written down separately so you can easily reference it when formatting your citation.

  5. Find the Volume and Issue Numbers
    Action: Identify the volume and issue number of the journal.
    Verification: This information is often found in the header or footer of the article. The volume number is usually larger than the issue number, which is often in parentheses.
    Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
    Tip for Efficiency: Write down the volume number followed by the issue number in parentheses to keep your notes organized.

  6. Locate the Page Range
    Action: Find the page range for the article.
    Verification: The page numbers are typically listed at the top or bottom of the article. Make sure to note the starting and ending page numbers.
    Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.
    Tip for Efficiency: Write the page numbers down in a range format (e.g., 123-145) to save time when you compile your citation.

  7. Retrieve the DOI
    Action: Look for the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) of the article.
    Verification: The DOI is usually located on the first page or in the citation information section. It is crucial for locating the article online.
    Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.
    Tip for Efficiency: If the DOI is not readily available, you can search for the article online using its title to find it.

  8. Compile Your Citation
    Action: Using the information collected, format your citation according to the APA style template provided.
    Verification: The final citation should follow this structure:
    Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx
    Ensure that all parts are correctly placed and formatted, including italics for the journal title and volume.
    Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
    Tip for Efficiency: Use a citation tool or software to help format your citation correctly, but always double-check for accuracy.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you will have successfully created a citation for an article from The Quarterly Journal of Economics in APA format. Remember that proper citation not only gives credit to the authors but also enhances the credibility of your own work. Happy writing!


Real Examples from The Quarterly Journal of Economics

This section provides authentic citation examples from The Quarterly Journal of Economics using recent publications from 2023-2024.

I'm unable to access external databases or websites, including specific journal content, to provide real-time or future articles from The Quarterly Journal of Economics. However, I can guide you on how to format citations for hypothetical articles using the APA 7th edition style. Here’s how you might format citations based on the information you might find:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description: This is a standard research article authored by a single economist, discussing the impact of fiscal policy on economic growth.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Smith, J. A. (2023). The impact of fiscal policy on economic growth. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 138(1), 45-78. https://doi.org/10.1093/qje/qjd051

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

In-text Citation (Narrative format):
Smith (2023) discusses the impact of fiscal policy on economic growth.

Notes: This example is noteworthy for its focus on a singular author, which is common in academic research articles. The DOI is provided, highlighting the importance of digital object identifiers in modern citations.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description: An article published by a research institute on the effects of global trade policies on emerging markets.

Complete Reference List Citation:
International Economic Research Institute. (2023). Effects of global trade policies on emerging markets. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 138(2), 100-125. https://doi.org/10.1093/qje/qje052

In-text Citation (Parenthetical format):
(International Economic Research Institute, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative format):
The International Economic Research Institute (2023) examines the effects of global trade policies.

Notes: This example is noteworthy as it involves a corporate author, which is less common but important to acknowledge in institutional or collaborative research.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description: A collaborative article by multiple authors examining income inequality in developed countries.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Johnson, R. L., & Lee, M. C. (2023). Income inequality in developed countries: A comparative analysis. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 138(3), 150-189. https://doi.org/10.1093/qje/qje053

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

In-text Citation (Narrative format):
Johnson and Lee (2023) provide a comparative analysis of income inequality.

Notes: This example is typical of collaborative research, demonstrating how to list multiple authors while maintaining proper APA formatting.

Example 4: Special Formatting Case

Scenario Description: An article with a long title focusing on the quantitative easing measures and their macroeconomic impacts.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Anderson, P. K., Nguyen, T. L., & Patel, R. J. (2023). Quantitative easing measures and their macroeconomic impacts: An empirical evaluation using multidimensional analysis. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 138(4), 200-250. https://doi.org/10.1093/qje/qje054

In-text Citation (Parenthetical format):
(Anderson, Nguyen, & Patel, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative format):
Anderson, Nguyen, and Patel (2023) evaluate the macroeconomic impacts of quantitative easing measures.

Notes: This example highlights a case with a long article title, demonstrating how to handle complex titles in citations. Additionally, it showcases the treatment of three authors.

These examples are constructed to illustrate APA citation style and do not represent actual articles. For real articles, you should access databases such as JSTOR, PubMed, or directly visit the journal's website.


Common Issues When Citing The Quarterly Journal of Economics

Problem 1: Identifying Authors

Issue Description:
Students often struggle to correctly identify and list the authors of articles from The Quarterly Journal of Economics. This can lead to incomplete or incorrect citations.

Why It Happens:
The Quarterly Journal of Economics often has multiple authors for each article, and these are typically listed in small print at the beginning or end of the article. Additionally, the journal may use initials instead of full first names, which can complicate the identification process for students unfamiliar with standard author listing practices.

Solution:
1. Locate the article in The Quarterly Journal of Economics, either through a library database or the journal's website.
2. Look for the author list, which is usually found near the article title or abstract.
3. Ensure you record each author's name as it appears, respecting the order, using full last names and initials if full first names are not provided.
4. For citations, list authors in the same order they appear, separating names with commas and using an ampersand (&) before the last author's name if there are multiple authors.

Before/After Example:
- Before: Smith, J., & Doe, J. (2022).
- After: Smith, J., Doe, J., & Brown, L. (2022).

Problem 2: Date Format

Issue Description:
Students sometimes use incorrect date formats when citing articles from The Quarterly Journal of Economics, potentially leading to inaccurate references.

Why It Happens:
The Quarterly Journal of Economics may present dates in various formats depending on whether students access articles online or through print versions. Additionally, the journal might list a range of dates, such as acceptance and publication dates, which can be confusing.

Solution:
1. Identify the publication date, which is usually found near the title or abstract.
2. Use the publication date listed on the journal's website or database entry, even if this differs from in-article dates.
3. Format the date in APA style, which requires only the year for journal articles.

Before/After Example:
- Before: March 2022
- After: 2022

Problem 3: URL Handling

Issue Description:
Students often struggle with correctly including URLs for online articles from The Quarterly Journal of Economics, especially when a DOI is available.

Why It Happens:
There may be confusion about when to include a DOI versus a URL, and The Quarterly Journal of Economics articles typically have both available. APA guidelines prefer DOIs over URLs when available.

Solution:
1. Check if the article has a DOI, which can be found in the database entry or at the bottom of the first page of the article.
2. Use the DOI in the citation, formatted as a URL (e.g., https://doi.org/xxx).
3. If no DOI is available, use the stable URL provided by the journal or database.

Before/After Example:
- Before: Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/xxxxxxx
- After: https://doi.org/10.xxxxx/xxxxx

Problem 4: Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Students may have difficulty understanding and navigating access requirements for articles from The Quarterly Journal of Economics, which can impede proper citation.

Why It Happens:
The journal is often accessed through institutional subscriptions, which might not be obvious to students who are unfamiliar with academic database access protocols.

Solution:
1. Access the journal through your institution's library portal to ensure you have the necessary permissions.
2. Once you have access, locate the article and note whether it is available directly or requires specific credentials.
3. When citing, remember that access date is not required in APA 7th edition, but ensure you have accessed the most stable and final version of the article.

Note: Access requirements do not directly affect citation format in APA, but understanding them can prevent errors in accessing and using the correct article version.

By following these guidelines, students can avoid common citation pitfalls associated with The Quarterly Journal of Economics and ensure their references are accurate and adhere to APA 7th edition standards.

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


Frequently Asked Questions About The Quarterly Journal of Economics

Q: How can I find the necessary citation information for an article from The Quarterly Journal of Economics on their website?

A: To locate citation information, navigate to the article's page on The Quarterly Journal of Economics website. Look for the article's title, author(s), publication date, volume, issue number, and DOI, usually found in the article header or sidebar.

Q: How should I handle articles from The Quarterly Journal of Economics when they list multiple authors with unique formats?

A: In APA format, list up to 20 authors by their last name and initials. For The Quarterly Journal of Economics, ensure you follow the order as listed in the article and use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name if there are multiple authors.

Q: What should I do if The Quarterly Journal of Economics uses a unique publication date format?

A: The Quarterly Journal of Economics typically provides the publication date as a year. For APA citations, include the year in parentheses immediately following the author names. If a more detailed date is provided, such as month and day, include it as well.

Q: Are there specific URL or access requirements when citing an article from The Quarterly Journal of Economics?

A: When citing, use the DOI if available, as it provides a permanent link to the article. If a DOI is not available, use the URL of the journal's homepage. APA guidelines prefer DOIs over URLs when both are available.

Q: How does citing The Quarterly Journal of Economics differ from citing other journal articles in APA format?

A: Citing The Quarterly Journal of Economics is similar to other journals in APA, but always ensure you capture unique elements like the DOI and the specific format of author names as presented. The main distinction might be in managing the URL/DOI and any special author listing formats.


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