The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is widely used in the social and behavioral sciences, as well as in many other fields. In this article, we will delve into the world of APA citation, exploring its basics, in-text citations, reference lists, and providing examples of how to cite different sources.
APA citation style was developed by social and behavioral scientists to standardize scientific writing and is currently in its 7th edition. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th edition) is the basis of this guide, focusing on crediting sources and answering questions about citing in APA.
The APA guide recommends citing any works or individuals whose ideas, theories, or research have directly influenced your work. This means citing only works you have read and ideas you have incorporated into your writing. Primary sources should be cited, and secondary sources should be cited sparingly.
APA citation style uses in-text citations and a reference list. Both can be created with just a click using an APA citation generator. The author-date citation system is used for in-text references, allowing readers to find sources cited in the text and in the reference list.
In-text references have two formats: parenthetical and narrative.
The reference list provides the information needed to identify and find each source used in the research and preparation of the paper. It should include only works used in the research and preparation of the paper.
A reference list generally has four elements: author, date, title, and source.
The following are examples of how to cite different sources in APA style:
An example of an APA reference page made with an APA citation generator can be found here.
In conclusion, APA citation style is a widely used citation style in the social and behavioral sciences, as well as in many other fields. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent, and that you are giving credit to the original authors of the ideas and research that you are using in your work. For more information on APA citation style, visit the APA website or consult the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th edition).
