What to Do for APA Citation with No Author
In academic writing, proper citation is crucial for giving credit to the original authors of the sources used. However, what should you do when you come across a source with no listed author? The American Psychological Association (APA) provides guidelines on how to cite such sources. In this article, we will discuss the steps to follow when citing a source with no author in APA format.
1. Start with the Title
When citing a source with no author, the title of the source should be placed in italics and followed by a period. For example, if you are citing a book without an author, you would write:
Title of the Book.
2. Include the Publication Date
After the title, include the publication date of the source in parentheses. If the date is not available, you can use the year you accessed the source. For example:
Title of the Book (Year of Publication).
3. Add Page Numbers (If Applicable)
If you are referencing a specific part of the source, such as a chapter or a section, include the page numbers in parentheses after the publication date. For example:
Title of the Book (Year of Publication, p. 123).
4. Cite Online Sources with No Author
For online sources with no author, follow the same format as mentioned above. However, you should also include the URL and the date you accessed the source. For example:
Title of the Source (Year of Publication). Retrieved from [URL] (Accessed on Date).
5. Use a Suffix for Multiple Sources with No Author
If you have multiple sources with no author, you can use a suffix (e.g., a, b, c) to differentiate them in the text. For example:
First Source without Author (Year of Publication).
Second Source without Author (Year of Publication).
6. Follow the In-text Citation Format
When citing a source with no author in the text, use the author-date format, followed by the page number (if applicable). For example:
(Year of Publication, p. 123).
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you properly cite sources with no author in APA format. Remember, accurate citation is essential for maintaining academic integrity and giving credit to the original creators of the sources you use.
