How to Cite Many Authors APA
In academic writing, it is common to encounter sources that have multiple authors. Properly citing these sources in APA format can be a bit challenging, especially when there are a large number of authors involved. This article will guide you through the process of citing many authors in APA format, ensuring that your reference list is accurate and consistent.
Formatting the Reference List
When citing a source with multiple authors in APA format, the reference list entry should follow a specific structure. The general format for a reference list entry with multiple authors is as follows:
– Author(s)’ last name, First initial. (Year of publication). Title of the source. Source title, volume(issue number), page numbers. DOI or URL
For example:
Smith, J. A., Jones, B. C., & Thompson, D. R. (2020). The impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems. Journal of Environmental Studies, 10(2), 45-58. https://doi.org/10.1234/jes.2020.123456
Handling More Than Seven Authors
When a source has more than seven authors, APA style requires that you list only the first six authors followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”). The “et al.” abbreviation should be italicized. Here’s an example:
Miller, A. B., Smith, C. D., Johnson, E. F., Williams, G. H., Brown, I. J., Davis, K. L., & Martinez, M. N. (2019). The effects of social media on young adults. Journal of Communication Studies, 15(3), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1234/jcs.2019.123456
In this example, “et al.” is used to indicate that there are more than seven authors, but only the first six are listed.
Formatting the In-text Citation
When citing a source with multiple authors in your text, you should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. If you need to include the page number, do so in parentheses. Here’s an example:
(Smith et al., 2020)
In this example, “et al.” is used to indicate that there are more than six authors, and the year of publication is included to provide context for the reader.
Remembering the Rules
To ensure that you are citing sources with multiple authors correctly in APA format, remember the following rules:
– List all authors in the reference list, including the first six authors for sources with more than seven authors.
– Use “et al.” to indicate that there are more than six authors.
– Include the author’s last name and the year of publication in the in-text citation.
– Follow the proper formatting for the reference list entry, including the title, source title, volume, issue number, page numbers, and DOI or URL.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively cite sources with multiple authors in APA format and maintain the integrity of your academic work.
