How to Cite an Edited Book in APA Format (7th Edition)
Complete guide to citing edited books in APA 7. Includes format rules for single and multiple editors, series editors, and edition numbers.
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Understanding Edited Book Citation Format in APA 7th Edition
Citing edited books in APA style is essential for academic writing. This guide will explain the format for edited book citations according to the APA 7th edition. It will cover how to format author names, the title of the work, and other necessary details. By understanding these rules, you will enhance your academic writing and ensure proper attribution.
Basic Structure of an Edited Book Citation
The general format for citing an edited book in APA style is as follows:
Editor(s). (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.
Here is a breakdown of each component:
- Editor(s): List the editors in the inverted format (last name, initials). If there are multiple editors, separate their names with a comma and use an ampersand (&) before the last editor's name.
- Year: Enclose the year of publication in parentheses followed by a period.
- Title of the book: The title should be in italics and in sentence case, meaning only the first word of the title and subtitle, along with any proper nouns, are capitalized.
- Publisher: Conclude with the name of the publisher, followed by a period.
Example of an Edited Book Citation
Here is an example of how to cite an edited book:
Smith, J. A., & Brown, L. B. (Eds.). (2020). Innovations in educational technology. Tech Press.
In this example, "Smith" and "Brown" are the editors. The year of publication is 2020. The book title "Innovations in educational technology" is italicized. Finally, "Tech Press" is the publisher.
Citing Edited Books with Multiple Editors
When a book has more than one editor, the format remains consistent. For example:
Johnson, R. T., Williams, K. A., & Lee, M. (Eds.). (2021). Advances in psychological research. Academic Publishers.
In this citation, "Johnson," "Williams," and "Lee" are all editors of the book. Notice how the editors' names are separated by commas, with an ampersand before the final editor.
Citing Edited Books with 21 or More Authors
For edited books with 21 or more authors, you should follow a specific rule. List the first 19 authors, then insert an ellipsis (...) followed by the final author’s name.
Example:
Adams, R. J., Brown, S. K., Carter, L. M., Davis, P. Q., Edwards, T. R., Foster, U. N., Garcia, V. W., Harris, M. Q., Ibarra, J. R., Johnson, H. T., Kim, Z. Y., Lee, A. B., Martin, E. J., Nguyen, T. X., O'Connor, P. Y., Perez, R. A., Quinn, F. B., Robinson, S. S., Smith, J. Q., ... Walker, T. F. (Eds.). (2019). Comprehensive approaches to environmental science. Green Earth Publishing.
This format helps to keep citations manageable while still providing key attribution information.
Importance of Accurate Citation
Proper citation is crucial for several reasons. First, it gives credit to the original authors and editors, which is fundamental in academic integrity. Second, it allows readers to locate the original source if they want to explore the topic further. Lastly, following APA rules enhances the professionalism of your work.
Practical Tips for Citing Edited Books
- Double-Check Author Names: Always ensure that you have the correct spelling of the editors’ names. Mistakes in names can lead to confusion and misattribution.
- Use Proper Formatting: Pay attention to the placement of commas, periods, and italics. Small formatting errors can lead to significant issues in your citations.
- Refer to the Title: Make sure to use sentence case for the title of the book. This means only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.
- Be Mindful of the Publisher's Name: Use the full name of the publisher without additional descriptors like "Inc." or "Co."
Common Pitfalls in Citing Edited Books
- Ignoring the Role of Editors: Sometimes, authors mistakenly cite the book as if it were written by the editors. Remember to specify their role with "(Eds.)" after their names.
- Overlooking the Number of Authors: Ensure that you are following the correct rules for citing multiple authors. Missing or incorrectly formatting names can lead to incomplete citations.
- Neglecting the Year of Publication: Always include the year of publication in parentheses immediately after the editors' names. Omitting this can make your citation seem incomplete.
Conclusion
Citing edited books correctly in APA format is a critical aspect of academic writing. By following the rules outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent. Remember to pay attention to the details, as proper citation not only respects the work of others but also strengthens your own writing.
Reference List Examples
- Parenthetical: (Chen & Williams, 2023)
- Narrative: Chen and Williams (2023)
- Parenthetical: (Johnson et al., 2022)
- Narrative: Johnson, Davis, and Thompson (2022)
- Parenthetical: (Garcia, 2021)
- Narrative: Garcia (2021)
- Parenthetical: (Anderson et al., 2023)
- Narrative: Anderson et al. (2023)
- Parenthetical: (Martinez & O'Brien, 2022)
- Narrative: Martinez and O'Brien (2022)
- Parenthetical: (Thompson et al., 2020)
- Narrative: Thompson et al. (2020)
- Parenthetical: (Wilson et al., 2021)
- Narrative: Wilson, Park, and Rodriguez (2021)
- Parenthetical: (Taylor, 2023)
- Narrative: Taylor (2023)
- Parenthetical: (Patel et al., 2022)
- Narrative: Patel et al. (2022)
- Parenthetical: (Kim et al., 2020)
- Narrative: Kim, O'Connor, and Wilson (2020)
Step-by-Step Instructions
What You Need
Before you begin creating an edited book citation in APA 7th edition, gather the following information:
- Editor(s) name(s): Look for the full names of all editors involved.
- Publication year: Find the year the book was published.
- Book title: Note the full title of the book, including any subtitles.
- Publisher name: Identify the name of the publisher.
- Edition (if applicable): Check if the book is a specific edition (e.g., 2nd edition).
- DOI or URL (if applicable): If the book is available online, obtain the DOI or URL.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Identify the Editor(s)
Action: Locate the name(s) of the editor(s) of the book.
Verification: Make sure you have the full names as they appear in the publication. If there are multiple editors, ensure you have all their names.
Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Check the title page or the copyright page of the book for accurate names.
2. Format the Editor(s) Name(s)
Action: Format the editor(s) in the correct APA style. Use the format: Last name, initials. If there are multiple editors, separate their names with a comma and an ampersand (&) before the last editor's name.
Verification: Ensure that each editor's name is inverted and initials are correctly placed without spaces.
Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Write down the names directly in the format as you find them to avoid mistakes.
3. Determine the Publication Year
Action: Find the publication year of the book and note it down.
Verification: Double-check that the year is accurate, usually found on the title or copyright page.
Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Write the year in parentheses immediately after the editor(s) names for quick reference.
4. Record the Book Title
Action: Write down the full title of the book, including any subtitles.
Verification: Ensure that the title is spelled correctly and matches the title page of the book.
Time Estimate: 3 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Use italics for the book title as you write it down, as this is part of the final format.
5. Identify the Publisher
Action: Locate the name of the publisher of the book.
Verification: Look for the publisher's information on the title or copyright page.
Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Write down the publisher’s name directly after the title to streamline the process.
6. Compile the Citation
Action: Combine all the information following the APA format. The structure will be as follows:
Editor(s) Last name, Initials. (Ed.). (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.
Verification: Ensure you have included all elements, such as the editor's designation (Ed.) and proper punctuation.
Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Use a citation management tool or citation generator to quickly format your references.
7. Include Additional Information (If Needed)
Action: If applicable, include edition information or a DOI/URL if the book is available online.
Verification: Check that this additional information is relevant and formatted correctly.
Time Estimate: 3 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Note whether the book is a specific edition while looking at the title page, so you can add it during the citation compilation.
8. Review Your Citation
Action: Carefully review your final citation for accuracy and adherence to APA format.
Verification: Check for correct punctuation, capitalization, and spacing.
Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Use online APA citation checkers to validate your formatted citation before finalizing.
Example of an Edited Book Citation
If you followed the above steps, your citation might look like this:
Smith, J.A., & Jones, R.B. (Eds.). (2020). Understanding psychology: A comprehensive guide. Academic Press.
By following these steps, you will create a correctly formatted edited book citation according to APA 7th edition guidelines. Each step is designed to ensure clarity and adherence to the rules, making your citation process efficient and straightforward.
Common Errors for Edited Book Citation Citations
Students often apply title case to all titles, not realizing that article and chapter titles use sentence case in APA 7
How to Avoid It:- Capitalize only the first word of the title in sentence case format
- Capitalize the first word after a colon in the subtitle
- Capitalize all proper nouns and proper adjectives throughout the title
- Leave all other words lowercase including articles and prepositions
Students mistakenly apply article title rules to journal names, treating them as regular titles rather than proper names
How to Avoid It:- Capitalize all major words in the journal title including verbs and adjectives
- Capitalize the first and last words of the journal title
- Keep articles, short prepositions, and conjunctions lowercase unless first/last
- Italicize the entire journal title including subtitle and volume number
Students apply article title rules to books, not understanding that standalone works use title case
How to Avoid It:- Capitalize all major words in the book title including verbs and adjectives
- Capitalize first and last words of the book title without exception
- Keep minor words lowercase unless they are first or last in title
- Apply same rule to subtitle words following the colon
Students focus on sentence case rules but forget that proper nouns are always capitalized regardless of case rules
How to Avoid It:- Identify all proper nouns in the title including names of people
- Ensure names of places, organizations, and institutions are capitalized
- Capitalize specific geographic names and locations mentioned
- Maintain capitalization of brand names and historical events referenced
Students forget that subtitles are treated as separate sentences for capitalization purposes
How to Avoid It:- Locate all colons in the title that separate main title from subtitle
- Capitalize the first word immediately following each colon without exception
- Apply sentence case or title case rules to remaining subtitle words appropriately
- Ensure subtitle capitalization matches the type of title case being used
Students don't know when acronyms should be in all capitals versus following sentence case rules
How to Avoid It:- Identify well-known acronyms like CDC, NASA, APA, FBI that are widely recognized
- Keep these acronyms in all capitals regardless of sentence case rules
- For lesser-known acronyms, follow standard usage or title case rules
- Check if acronym is commonly written in all caps in professional contexts
Students treat website names like book titles, not realizing most use sentence case in APA 7
How to Avoid It:- Use sentence case for most website titles in APA 7 citations
- Capitalize first word and proper nouns only in website titles
- Exception: use title case for standalone web works like online books
- Check if the web content is a container or standalone work
Students apply book title rules to reports, not understanding reports use sentence case in APA 7
How to Avoid It:- Use sentence case for report titles following APA 7 guidelines
- Capitalize first word, words after colons, and proper nouns only
- Treat reports like articles rather than books for capitalization
- Check if report is part of larger series or standalone work
Students treat conference papers like standalone works rather than parts of larger proceedings
How to Avoid It:- Use sentence case for conference paper titles in reference lists
- Capitalize first word, words after colons, and proper nouns only
- Treat conference papers as articles within conference proceedings
- Apply same capitalization rules as journal articles to conference papers
Students apply book title rules to blog posts, not realizing they use sentence case like articles
How to Avoid It:- Use sentence case for blog post titles in APA 7 citations
- Capitalize first word, words after colons, and proper nouns only
- Treat blog posts as articles within websites for capitalization
- Apply same rules as journal articles to blog post titles
Validation Checklist
Before submitting your Edited Book Citation citation, verify:
- In APA 7th edition, single authors are formatted with last name followed by a comma and first and middle initials. The initials should be separated by periods but not spaces. This format applies to all reference types including journal articles, books, and webpages. The author's name should be inverted (last name first) in the reference list only. This rule ensures consistency across all citation formats and makes alphabetical ordering more efficient in reference lists.
- For works with two authors, both names should be inverted (last name first) and separated by an ampersand (&) rather than the word 'and'. Each author's name follows the single author format (Last name, initials). The ampersand should be preceded by a comma. This format is used in both reference lists and parenthetical citations, but narrative citations use 'and' instead of '&'. This rule distinguishes APA from other citation styles and maintains consistency across multi-author works.
- For works with 21 or more authors, list the first 19 authors, insert an ellipsis (...), then list the final author. The ellipsis replaces authors 20 through the second-to-last author. All listed authors follow the standard inverted format. This rule prevents extremely long citation lists while still providing key attribution information. The ellipsis should not be italicized or bracketed. This change from APA 6th edition's 7+ author rule provides more comprehensive author listing.
- Author titles, suffixes, and credentials (like Jr., Sr., II, III, Ph.D., M.D.) should be included in the reference list. Suffixes like Jr., Sr., II, and III follow the initials, separated by commas. Academic and professional credentials are generally omitted from reference list entries but may be included in special circumstances. Titles like Dr., Professor, or military ranks are not included in reference list citations. This rule provides complete identification when needed while avoiding unnecessary credential inflation.
- When author information is incomplete, use available information and follow specific rules for missing elements. If only initials are available, use them without periods. If no author can be identified, move the title to the author position. For edited volumes with no author, use the editor(s) with '(Ed.)' after the name. This rule ensures that references can be created even with incomplete author information while maintaining APA format consistency.
- In APA 7, the publication year for most sources is placed in parentheses following the author name. The year is followed by a period. This format applies to journal articles, books, and most other standard reference types. The year should be the actual publication year, not the copyright year when they differ. For edited books, use the year of publication of the specific edition you are citing. This format has remained consistent from APA 6 with minor clarification about copyright vs publication year.
- For works accepted for publication but not yet published, use (in press) instead of the year. This format is used for journal articles that have been accepted but not yet published, books under contract, or similar forthcoming works. The phrase 'in press' appears in parentheses exactly as it would for a year, followed by a period. In APA 7, this usage is clarified to apply only to works that have been formally accepted for publication, not works merely submitted or under review. This represents a minor change from APA 6.
- Article titles in APA 7 references should use sentence case, meaning only the first word of the title, the first word of the subtitle (after a colon), and proper nouns are capitalized. This applies to journal articles, magazine articles, and newspaper articles. The rule emphasizes natural language capitalization rather than the more formal title case used for book and journal titles. Subtitles are treated as separate sentences for capitalization purposes.
- Book titles in APA 7 references use title case capitalization. All major words including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs are capitalized. Minor words such as articles (a, an, the), short prepositions (of, in, on, at), and coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or) are lowercase unless they appear as the first or last word of the title or subtitle. This applies to both entire books and edited collections.
- Chapter titles and other parts of larger works use sentence case in APA 7 references. Only the first word of the chapter title, the first word of the subtitle (after a colon), and proper nouns are capitalized. This rule applies to chapters in edited books, sections of reports, and other components that are part of a larger work. The principle is to treat these as individual pieces within a larger container.
Special Cases
Understanding Special and Edge Cases in Citing Edited Books in APA Style
Citing edited books in APA style can present unique challenges, especially when dealing with special and edge cases. This guide will provide clarity on how to navigate these situations, ensuring that your citations are accurate and adhere to APA 7th edition guidelines.
General Format for Edited Books
Before diving into special cases, it is essential to understand the general format for citing edited books. The basic format follows this structure:
Format:
Editor(s). (Eds.). (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.
Example:
Smith, J. A., & Brown, L. B. (Eds.). (2020). Advances in educational psychology. Academic Press.
This format emphasizes the editors' roles while providing essential publication details.
Special Cases
1. Citing Edited Books with No Author
In some instances, an edited book may not have a designated author. In such cases, the editor(s) take the place of the author in the citation.
Format:
Editor(s). (Eds.). (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.
Example:
Johnson, R. T., & Lee, M. K. (Eds.). (2018). Contemporary issues in globalization. Global Publishing.
Here, Johnson and Lee are credited as editors, and their names are treated just like authors in the citation format.
2. Citing Edited Books with Multiple Editors
When a book has multiple editors, all editors should be listed in the citation, following the inverted name format.
Format:
Editor1, A. A., Editor2, B. B., & Editor3, C. C. (Eds.). (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.
Example:
Green, T. L., White, S. P., & Black, R. D. (Eds.). (2019). Research methods in social sciences. Research Press.
In this example, all three editors are credited in the order they appear on the title page.
3. Citing Books with 21 or More Authors
When citing a work with 21 or more authors, you only need to list the first 19 authors, followed by an ellipsis and then the final author's name. This approach ensures that citations remain manageable while still recognizing the contributions of many authors.
Format:
Author1, A. A., Author2, B. B., Author3, C. C., Author4, D. D., Author5, E. E., Author6, F. F., Author7, G. G., Author8, H. H., Author9, I. I., Author10, J. J., Author11, K. K., Author12, L. L., Author13, M. M., Author14, N. N., Author15, O. O., Author16, P. P., Author17, Q. Q., Author18, R. R., Author19, S. S., ... Author21, T. T. (Eds.). (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.
Example:
Adams, A. B., Baker, C. D., Carter, E. F., Davis, G. H., Edwards, I. J., Franklin, K. L., Garcia, L. M., Harris, N. O., Johnson, P. Q., King, R. S., Lee, T. U., Martinez, V. W., Nelson, X. Y., O'Brien, Z. A., ... Young, Q. R. (Eds.). (2021). Comprehensive studies in psychology. Psychology Press.
This format prevents overly long citations while still giving credit to the significant contributions of many authors.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
-
Incorrect Use of Ampersand and 'and':
Ensure you use the ampersand (&) in the reference list and parenthetical citations but switch to 'and' in narrative citations. For example, in a narrative citation, write "Smith and Brown (2020) suggest..." whereas in a reference list, it should appear as "Smith, J. A., & Brown, L. B. (2020)." -
Omitting Ellipses for Long Author Lists:
When dealing with 21 or more authors, it is crucial to include the ellipsis correctly. Failing to do so can result in a citation that is not compliant with APA standards. -
Inconsistent Initials and Periods:
Make sure to use periods with initials and not leave spaces. For instance, the correct format is "A. B. Smith" rather than "A B Smith."
Practical Tips
- Double-Check Formatting: Always refer back to APA style guidelines to confirm the format, especially when it comes to punctuation and the order of elements.
- Use Consistent Spacing: Maintain consistent spacing throughout your citation, particularly with initials.
- Be Mindful of Special Characters: Remember that the ellipsis should not be italicized or enclosed in brackets.
Conclusion
Understanding the nuances of citing edited books in APA style is essential for accurate academic writing. By following the guidelines for special cases, you can ensure that your citations are correctly formatted and provide clear attribution to the contributors. This attention to detail not only enhances the credibility of your work but also aids readers in locating the referenced materials efficiently. Always keep these rules and tips in mind to avoid common pitfalls, ensuring that your references are both accurate and professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cite an edited book in APA format?
To cite an edited book in APA format, you should start with the last name of the editor, followed by their initials in parentheses. After the editor's name, include the publication year in parentheses. Then, write the title of the book in italics and sentence case. After the title, mention the word 'In' followed by the initials and last name of the editor, and then 'Eds.' This is followed by the page range (if applicable) and the publisher's name. For example: Smith, J. A. (Ed.). (2020). Title of the book. Publisher Name. For more details, you can refer to the APA Publication Manual or the APA Style website.
What if the edited book has multiple editors?
When citing an edited book with multiple editors, list all the editors' names in the same order they appear on the title page. Use an ampersand (&) before the last editor's name. For example: Brown, T. A., & Green, L. M. (Eds.). (2021). Title of the book. Publisher Name. It's important to note that you should include the initials for each editor. If there are more than 20 editors, list the first 19 editors, insert an ellipsis, and then add the final editor's name. For further guidelines, you can check the APA Style website or the latest edition of the APA Publication Manual.
Do I need to include the page numbers when citing a chapter from an edited book?
Yes, when citing a specific chapter from an edited book, you should include the page numbers of the chapter in your citation. The format includes the author(s) of the chapter, the year of publication, the title of the chapter, the editors of the book, the title of the book in italics, the page range of the chapter, and the publisher. For example: Johnson, R. (2022). Chapter title. In T. A. Brown & L. M. Green (Eds.), Title of the book (pp. 45-67). Publisher Name. This provides clear attribution and allows readers to locate the information easily. For a detailed citation guide, visit the APA Style website.
How do I format the title of the edited book in my citation?
The title of the edited book should be formatted in italics and should be in sentence case, meaning only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized. For example: Title of the book. Avoid using all capital letters or title case for the entire title. This format helps in distinguishing the title from the rest of the citation. Additionally, ensure that the title matches exactly as it appears on the title page of the book. For more formatting tips, refer to the APA Style website or the APA Publication Manual.
What if the edited book has a DOI or a URL?
If the edited book has a DOI, you should include it at the end of your citation. The format is: Author, A. A. (Ed.). (Year). Title of the book. Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxxx. If you accessed the book online and it does not have a DOI, you can include the URL instead. Ensure that the URL leads directly to the book or the publisher’s page. For example: Brown, T. A. (Ed.). (2021). Title of the book. Publisher Name. https://www.publisherwebsite.com/book. Including a DOI or URL provides readers with direct access to the source. For further information, check out the APA Style website.
Can I cite an edited book if I only used one chapter?
Yes, you can cite an edited book even if you only used one chapter. In this case, you should cite the specific chapter you used, including the chapter author(s), chapter title, editor(s), book title, page range, and publisher. The citation format is: Author, A. A. (Year). Chapter title. In E. E. Editor (Ed.), Title of the book (pp. xx-xx). Publisher Name. This highlights the contribution of both the chapter author and the editor, providing a clear reference for your readers. For more information, refer to the APA Style guidelines.
Last Updated: 2025-10-25
Reading Time: 10 minutes
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