How do you cite in APA with no author? This is a common question among students and researchers who are familiar with the APA (American Psychological Association) citation style. The APA style is widely used in the social sciences, education, and other fields, and it requires specific formatting for citations. One of the key aspects of APA citation is the inclusion of author information. However, there are situations where an author is not available, and this can pose a challenge. In this article, we will explore how to cite sources in APA style when there is no author information available.
The APA citation format typically includes the author’s last name, followed by the first initial of their first name, the publication date, the title of the source, and the publication information. When there is no author, the format changes slightly to accommodate the absence of this information. Here’s how to handle the different types of sources without an author:
1. Journal Articles
For journal articles without an author, you would typically list the article title first, followed by the publication date, the title of the journal, the volume and issue number (if available), and the page range. Here’s an example:
– Title of the article. (Year, Month Day). Title of the journal, volume(issue), pages.
If the article does not have a title, you can use a shortened version of the article’s URL or a brief description in brackets.
2. Books
When citing a book without an author, you would list the title first, followed by the publication date, the city of publication, and the publisher. Here’s an example:
– Title of the book. (Year). City: Publisher.
If the book has an editor instead of an author, you would list the editor’s name after the title, preceded by “Ed.” or “Eds.” for multiple editors.
3. Websites
For online sources without an author, you would list the title of the page or article first, followed by the publication date (if available), the URL, and the access date (if the source is likely to change over time). Here’s an example:
– Title of the web page or article. (Year, Month Day). Retrieved from URL
If the source does not have a title, you can use a brief description in brackets.
4. Video or Audio Media
When citing video or audio media without an author, you would list the title first, followed by the production date, the director’s name (if available), and the URL or other location of the media. Here’s an example:
– Title of the video or audio. (Year, Month Day). Directed by Director’s Name. Retrieved from URL
Remember that when citing sources without an author in APA style, it’s important to provide as much information as possible to help readers locate the source. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and complete, even when author information is not available.
