How to Do APA In-Text Citations with Multiple Authors
In academic writing, proper citation is crucial for giving credit to the original authors of the ideas and information used. APA (American Psychological Association) style is one of the most commonly used citation formats in the social sciences, education, and psychology fields. One common challenge when using APA style is how to format in-text citations when there are multiple authors. This article will guide you through the process of creating APA in-text citations with multiple authors.
When citing a source with multiple authors in APA style, the basic format is as follows: (Author1, Author2, Author3, & Author4, year). If the source has more than four authors, you can use the abbreviation “et al.” (meaning “and others”) after the first three authors. For example: (Smith, Johnson, Brown, & Davis, 2020) or (Smith, Johnson, Brown, Davis, & et al., 2020).
Here are some key points to remember when citing sources with multiple authors in APA style:
1. Include all authors’ last names in the in-text citation, separated by commas.
2. Add the publication year in parentheses after the authors’ names.
3. If the source has more than four authors, use “et al.” after the first three authors’ names.
4. For indirect citations, include the author names and year in parentheses, followed by the word “in” and the title of the work.
Here are some examples of APA in-text citations with multiple authors:
Example 1:
Smith, Johnson, Brown, & Davis (2020) conducted a study on the effects of social media on young adults.
Example 2:
According to a study by Smith, Johnson, Brown, and Davis (2020), social media use has increased significantly among young adults.
Example 3:
In their study (Smith, Johnson, Brown, Davis, & et al., 2020), the authors found that social media usage is positively correlated with depression among young adults.
Example 4:
The research conducted by Smith, Johnson, Brown, Davis, and et al. (2020) suggests that social media use may be a contributing factor to the rise in depression among young adults.
Remember that it is essential to follow these guidelines to ensure your in-text citations are formatted correctly and maintain the integrity of your academic work. Additionally, always double-check the APA style guidelines or consult a reliable source to ensure accuracy.
