How to Reference Many Authors APA 7
In the world of academic writing, it is common to come across sources that have multiple authors. When citing these sources in APA 7th edition, it is important to follow the proper format to ensure accuracy and consistency. This article will guide you on how to reference many authors in APA 7.
Formatting Multiple Authors in APA 7
When referencing a source with three or more authors in APA 7, you should list only the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”). Here’s an example:
Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Brown, M. (2020). The impact of climate change on coastal communities. Journal of Environmental Studies, 10(2), 45-58.
In this example, “et al.” is used to indicate that there are additional authors beyond the first three.
Order of Authors
When listing authors, always follow the order in which they appear on the source. If there are more than three authors, the order should be the same as the original publication.
Formatting In-text Citations
When citing a source with multiple authors in-text, you should follow the same format as the reference list. If you have cited the source in your text, you can use the shortened author’s name followed by “et al.” and the year of publication. For example:
(Smith et al., 2020)
If you have not cited the source in your text, you can use the full citation:
Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Brown, M. (2020)
Formatting Works Cited Entries
In the Works Cited list, you should include all authors’ names in the order they appear in the source. If there are more than three authors, list only the first author followed by “et al.” Here’s an example:
Smith, J., Johnson, L., Brown, M., & Davis, R. (2020). The role of technology in education. Journal of Educational Technology, 15(3), 78-89.
In this example, all four authors are listed in the Works Cited entry, but only the first three are mentioned in the in-text citation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, referencing a source with multiple authors in APA 7 requires following specific guidelines. By listing only the first author followed by “et al.” and maintaining the correct order of authors, you can ensure your citations are accurate and consistent. Always double-check the formatting rules to avoid any mistakes in your academic writing.
