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APA 6 Format and Citation Guide Made Easy

• Post author By Evans
• Post date May 20, 2024
• 3 Comments on APA 6 Format and Citation Guide Made Easy

The APA 6 guide was developed in line with the American Psychological Association in 2013. Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

General Principles of APA 6 Formatting

• Double-spacing throughout the paper.
• Margins – 1″ (2.54 cm), while paper size should be 8.5″ x 11″
• Times New Roman or Arial 12 pt. font (unless the instructions require a different font)

APA 6 papers contain running head(s) at the top of every page and page number. Page numbers are inserted flush right, while the paper’s title, written in UPPER CASE, is inserted flush left. Your title in the header should contain no more than 50 characters (including spaces and punctuation).

Papers written in APA  6 are divided into four sections:

• Title Page
• Abstract
• Body
• Reference List

Title Page

Running head: THE TITLE (with words’ Running head’ only on the title page)

All the following pages have a different header from the first page: THE TITLE

Title:

Your title should be inserted in the upper half of the first page.

You should not use more than 12 words for your title.

Use upper and lower case (avoid abbreviations and redundant words).

The title page should be double-spaced.

Insert the author’s name below the title.

Insert the educational institution below the author’s name.

Abstract

• The abstract is written on a new page; this page should contain a page header (see above).
• The word “Abstract” is centered on the new page. Do not use quotation marks, bold, italics, or any other formatting.
• The text on the abstract page is NOT indented.
• The abstract should contain only the most relevant information, such as research topic/thesis statement, research question(s), sample size/participants, research design/method, data analysis, results, and conclusions.
• The abstract consists of a single paragraph (about 130-150 words) of double-spaced text.
• If keywords are required, they are indented and written beneath the abstract paragraph. Do not forget to use italics for the word “Keywords.”

Headings

• Level 1 heading should be Bold, Uppercase, and Lowercase
• Level 2 should be Left-aligned, Bold, Uppercase, and Lowercase
• Level 3 should be indented, with a bold lowercase heading with a period. Begin your text after the period.
• Level 4 should be indented, bold, italicized, and lowercase heading with a period. Begin your text after the period.
• Level 5 indented, italicized, lowercase heading with a period. When writing, begin your text after the period.

Reference List

The reference list is inserted at the end of your paper; any source you use must be included in the reference page and cited in the text.

Indent all lines after the first line in the entry (hanging indent); the lines should be indented one-half inch (1.27 cm) from the left margin of your paper.

• Do not forget to invert authors’ names, such as last name and initials. Example: Cage, D. C.
• If you have to cite more than seven authors, only the first six authors are listed, then an ellipsis is placed, and the last author’s name is listed after the ellipsis.
• The reference list is always alphabetized by the first word in the reference entry (from A to Z).
• When alphabetizing titles or group names as authors, go by the first significant word (disregard a, an, the, etc.)
• If your reference has a group author, the name of the group can sometimes be abbreviated in the text—for example, the American Psychological Association can be abbreviated to APA. As with other abbreviations, spell out the name of the group upon first mention in the text and then provide the abbreviation.

If the name of the group first appears in parentheses in an in-text citation, put the abbreviation in brackets after it, followed by a comma and the year for the citation:

Example: The American Psychological Association (APA, 2011) suggested that parents talk to their children about family finances in age-appropriate ways.

Children should learn about family finances in age-appropriate ways (American Psychological Association [APA], 2011).

In the reference list entry, do not include the abbreviation for the group author. Instead, spell out the full name of the group.

Correct reference entry:

American Psychological Association. (2011). Dollars and sense: Talking to your children about the economy. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/children-economy.aspx

Incorrect reference entry:

American Psychological Association (APA). (2011). Dollars and sense: Talking to your children about the economy. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/children-economy.aspx

• Journal titles are always presented in full and capitalized:

Example: Archives of General Psychiatry

• Do not alter the journal’s name:

Example: JAMA Psychiatry (NOT Jama Psychiatry)

APA 6 Reference Guide

Books Citation

One author

Drewett, P. (2012). Field archaeology: An introduction. London, England: UCL Press.

Note:

• Locations in the U.S.: City, 2-letter State Abbreviation.
• Locations outside the U.S.: City, Country.
• Provide the name of the publisher after a colon, excluding Co. and Inc., which are not necessary for the

identification of the publisher. However, do not omit the words Books and Press.

Two authors

Greene, J., & Scott, D. (2004). Finding Sand Creek. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.

Three to five authors

McNeil, A. J., Frey, R., & Embrechts, P. (2015). Quantitative risk management: Concepts, techniques, and tools.

Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Six or seven authors

Bixby, C., Nigel, E., Smith, K., Rodgers, G. A., Williams, H., & Robinson, J. (2005). Referencing and

Plagiarism: A complete guide. London, England: Sage Publications.

More than seven authors

Provide last names and initials for the first six authors of the work. Insert three ellipsis points after the sixth author’s name, followed by the last author’s name.

Mehrer, M., Flatman, J., Flemming, N., Baxter, J., Orser, C., Wescot, K., … Wescott, K. (2006). GIS and archaeological site location modeling. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis.

Corporate/organization author

When the author and the publisher are the same, use the word “Author” instead of the publisher’s name.

Ministry of Health. (2008). Future directions for eating disorders services in New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand: Author

Unknown author

Alluvial archaeology in Europe. (2009). New York, NY: Routledge.

Two or more works by the same author

Works by the same author are arranged chronologically by year of publication. The earliest years come first.

Malhotra, Y. (2012). Knowledge management and virtual organizations. Naperville, IL: SAGE.

Malhotra, Y. (2014). Managing organizations: An introduction to theory and practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Two or more works by the same author, same year

Works by the same author and with the same publication date are listed alphabetically by the title (disregarding articles). Add a, b,  to the publication year to distinguish citations.

Gabarro, J. (2011a). Criminal justice organizations: Administration and management. Reston, VA: Routledge.

Gabarro, J. (2011b). Managing and organizations: An introduction to theory and practice. Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Edited book, no author

In a reference to an edited book with no author, move the editor’s name to the author position and follow it with the parenthetical abbreviation (Ed.) for one editor or (Eds.) for multiple editors.

Palenchar, M., & Greenwald, H. (Eds.). (2009). The management of organizations: Responsibility for performance. New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation.

Edited book with an author/authors

When citing an edited source, place the editor’s initials and last name immediately after the book’s title, followed by the parenthetical abbreviation (Ed.) for one editor or (Eds.) for multiple editors.

Example:

Calfee, M. (2011). Strategic issues management: A systems and human resources approach. K. V. Emory (Ed.). Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Author with a translator

In a reference to a translated book, place the name(s) of the translator(s) immediately after the book’s title, add the abbreviation Trans., and enclose it in parentheses.

If the book is republished, provide both publishing dates.

Leary, P. (2009). Metaphors in the history of psychology. (A. W. Burt & F. L. Kernberg, Trans.). Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. (Original work published 1921).

Note:

• In-text referencing of a republished source also includes both publishing dates. Example: Leary (1921/2009).

Different Editions

Include information about the edition in parentheses immediately after the title.

Example:

Shotton, M. L., & Schiraldi, G. (2016). The need for revision (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: Dover.

Chapter in an edited book

When citing a chapter in an edited book, do not invert the editors’ names and do not place them in the author’s position. The editors’ names are preceded by the word In and followed by the parenthetical abbreviation (Ed.) for one editor or (Eds.) for several editors.

Note: if an editorial board consists of more than three members, include the name of the lead editor and follow it by et al.

Example:

Wiener, P. (2013). Gender issues across the globe. In A. A. Krugman & F. D. Kempe (Eds.), Gender identity and gender politics (pp. 134–146). Frankfurt, Germany: Springer.

Multivolume work

Enclose information about volume number(s) in parentheses immediately after the book’s title.

Example:

Haybron, D. M. (2011). Perspectives on Piaget’s theory (Vols. 1–4). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Encyclopedia/dictionary

Graham, T. (Ed.). (2009). Encyclopedia of psychology: The great discoveries (Vols. 1–3). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.

Foreword, introduction, preface, or afterword

Provide the names of the authors of the book and follow the date of the book’s publishing with the word Foreword (or Introduction, Preface, or Afterword). Add the page numbers after the book’s title.

Example:

Brooks, G. (2013). Introduction. Consequences of government spending (pp. 3–11). Frankfurt, Germany: Peter Lang.

Online Books

Provide the version of your e-book.

Example:

Taubman, M. (2015). The psychoanalytic vision: The experiencing subject, transcendence and the therapeutic process [EBSCO NetLibrary version]. Retrieved from http://www.ebscohost.com

Electronic book

When citing an electronic book, keep in mind that it may be retrieved from a personal website, a self-publishing website, or provided in an audio form. If it must be purchased, write “Available from.”

Examples:

Kopf, R. (2013). Low blood pressure—Hypotension treated with homoeopathy and Schuessler salts (Homeopathic cell salts). Available from https://www.bookrix.com/_ebook-robert-kopf-low-blood-pressure-hypotension-treated-with-homeopathy-and-schuessler-salts-homeopathic/

Haggard, H. (2014). The brethren. Retrieved from https://www.bookrix.com/_ebook-h-rider-haggard-thebrethren-20/

Chapter in an online book or web document

Example:

National Research Center. (1997). How teachers teach: Specific methods. In Science, teaching reconsidered: A handbook (Chapter 2). Retrieved from https://www.nap.edu/read/5287/chapter/3

Online encyclopedia/dictionary

Example:

Kashmiri Shaiva philosophy. (n.d.). In Internet encyclopedia of philosophy. Retrieved from http://www.iep.utm.edu/kashmiri/

Citing Articles in Periodicals

Scholarly journal article

Example

Williams, P. (2014). Emotions and consumer behavior. Journal of Consumer Research, 40(5), 8–11.

Magazine article

Example:

Columbus, L. (2016, March 16). A roundup of cloud computing forecasts and market estimates. Forbes Magazine, 215, 1–3.

Newspaper article

Example:

Gellman, B., & Nakashima, E. (2013, July 25). U.S. spy agencies mounted 231 offensive cyber operations in 2011, documents show. Washington Post, pp. C3–C4.

Letter to the editor of a magazine

Example:

Jenkins, J. (2017, January). It’s time for the president to take responsibility for his words and actions [Letter to the editor]. The Washington Post, 233, 17.

Review article

Example:

Raab, J. (2014). Extending our knowledge on network governance [Review of the book Uniting Diverse Organizations: Managing goal-oriented advocacy networks, by A. Saz-Carranza]. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 24(2), 1–4.

Abstract

Example:

Schürch, R., Ratnieks, F. L., Samuelson, E. E., & Couvillon, M. J. (2016). Dancing to her own beat: Honey bee foragers communicate via individually calibrated waggle dances [abstract]. Journal of Experimental Biology, 219(9), 1287–1289.

Article in an online journal (DOI)

According to the 6th edition of the APA Style Guide, it is advisable to provide an article’s DOI if it is available. There are two formats of doi that you can choose from:

1. doi:0000000/000000000000

2. http://dx.doi.org/10.0000/0000

Example:

Baldwin, D. S., Anderson, I. M., & Nutt, D. J. (2014). Evidence-based pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder: A revision of the 2005 guidelines from the British Association for Psychopharmacology. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 28(5), 403–439. doi:10.1177/0269881114525674

Article in an online journal (without DOI)

Example:

Round, J. (2015). Apocatastasis: Redefining tropes of the Apocalypse in Neil Gaiman and Dave Mckean’s  Signal to Noise. International Online Journal of Comic Art, 15. Retrieved from http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/26013/

Online newspaper/magazine article

Example:

Tuchman, P. (2017, January 27). How do you sell a work of art built into the earth? The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/arts/design/robert-smithson-earthwork-art.html?smid=pl-share&_r=0

Online book review

Example:

Ascher, M. (2011). But I thought the earth belonged to the living [Review of the book Dead Hands: A Social History of Wills, trusts, and Inheritance Law, by L. M. Friedman]. Texas Law Review, 89(2), 1149–1177. Retrieved from http://www.texaslrev.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Ascher-89-TLR-1149.pdf

Note:

• Alternatively, provide a DOI instead of a link.

Citing Dissertations and Theses

Dissertation/thesis

Published dissertation/thesis available from a database service:

Examples:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of dissertation or thesis (Doctoral dissertation or Master’s thesis). Retrieved from the name of the database. (Accession or Order No.)

Patel, B. (2016). A computational pipeline to uncover genomic regulatory regions that modulate the WNT signaling pathway (Undergraduate Thesis). Retrieved from Stanford Digital Dissertations. (PTN 3495214)

Citing published dissertation/thesis available from an institutional repository:

Examples:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of dissertation or thesis (Doctoral or Master’s thesis, University, city, country/state). Retrieved from http://xxxxx

Patel, B. (2016). A computational pipeline to uncover genomic regulatory regions that modulate the WNT signaling pathway (Undergraduate Thesis, Stanford University, Stanford, CA). Retrieved from https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/jz288sd3151

Citing Unpublished dissertation/thesis:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of doctoral dissertation or Master’s thesis (Unpublished doctoral dissertation or Master’s thesis). Name of Institution, Location.

Citing Learning Environment

Citing Online lecture notes/presentation slides

Examples:

Arnold, D. (2010). Functional analysis [PDF document]. Retrieved from http://wwwusers.math.umn.edu/~arnold/502.s97/functional.pdf

Pomije, B. (2011). Online shopping [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/pobr0702/online-shopping-presentation-10492184

Citing Web Sources

Page from website

If a document has more than one page, provide a URL that will be linked to the entry page of this document.

Example:

Preston, J. (2017). John Preston on the Thorpe affair. Retrieved from https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/onwriting/why-i-write/2016/john-preston-on-the-thorpe-affair/

Page from a website with an unknown author

Example:

How sibling rivalry made Anne the ‘neglected’ Brontë. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/on-writing/times-and-life/2017/jan/how-sibling-rivalry-made-anne-theother-bronte/

Citing Blog Post

Example:

Cush, A. (2016, August 17). You’ll never guess who’s angry about CNN “deceptively” editing a video of Sylville Smith’s sister [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://gawker.com/youll-never-guess-whos-angry-about-cnndeceptively-ed-1785416442

Citing Video or film

You may include a Producer, Director, Sponsor, etc.

Example:

Glass, T. (Director). (2010). A Todd Glass Halloween: Animashups [Video file]. Retrieved from http://videopodcastnetwork.com/a-todd-glass-halloween/

Podcast/YouTube

Example:

Alcock, P. (2012, June 29). Electromagnetic levitation quadcopter [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCON4zfMzjU

Personal communication

Personal communication is not included in the reference list. Instead, when citing information from an email, cite the source of information in parentheses.

Example:

(K. Dawson, personal communication, April 24, 2010).

Citing Governmental Sources

Government publication

Example:

United States Congress House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (2017). DOE for the 21st century: Science, environment, and national security missions (E&C Publication No. 114–119). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Publishing Office.

APA 6 In-text citations

When citing references in a text using the APA format, focus on the author-date approach. This means that the author’s surname (without suffixes such as Dr. or Jr.) appears in the text, followed by the year of publication.

Direct quotations require the inclusion of the page number in addition to the authors’ names and years.

Example: (Leary, 2009, p. 137).

An author named in a signal phrase

APA format requires the use of the word and instead of the ampersand before the last author’s name when citing a work by multiple authors in the text.

Example: Greene and Kernis (2012) argued that every individual involved in the process of creation of software is responsible for its quality.

The author is not named in a signal phrase.

Example: The framework based on categorizing racial attributes does not consider numerous individual differences between ethnic groups (Holland, 2010).

A work by two authors

Example: The use of sterilization accounts for 3.2 percent of birth control methods in Christian communities (Purnell & Paulanka, 2016).

A work by three to five authors

List all authors the first time a work is cited in the text. However, in subsequent citations, only the first author’s name, followed by et al., along with the year of publication, should be placed.

Example: The limitations of the classification system preclude its use for the determination of specific health needs of ethnic minorities (Flatman, Flemming, & Drewett, 2009).

Example: Belonging to a racial group requires a differentiation between racial needs and those of the society at large (Flatman et al., 2009).

Six or more authors

Include only the name of the first author, followed by et al., along with the year of publication.

Example: Baxter et al. (2014) argued that statewide statistics do not reflect the real experiences of Muslims in the U.S.

Unknown author

When the source does not identify an author, cite it by the first few words of its title. The titles of books and periodicals have to be italicized, whereas titles of book chapters and articles must be placed inside quotation marks.

Example: Naturalism and the improvement of healthcare outcomes are the main principles of the provision of biomedicine in the U.S. (Biomedicine and Health Care, 2015).

Example: The healthcare services in Australia are based on the long-standing culture of nursing as well as national models of health and illness (“Health care approaches,” 2011).

Corporate Author

If the name of the group first appears in parentheses (as in the second example below), put the abbreviation in brackets after it, followed by a comma and the year for the citation:

Example: The American Psychological Association (APA, 2011) suggested that parents talk to their children about family finances in age-appropriate ways.

Example: Children should learn about family finances in age-appropriate ways (American Psychological Association [APA], 2011).

In the reference list entry, do not include the group author’s abbreviation. Instead, spell out the group’s full name.

Authors with the same last name

Include first initials followed by the last names in order to distinguish between authors with the same last name.

For example, The religious and spiritual beliefs of Arab American Muslims significantly influence their healthcare practices and health-seeking behaviors (M. Berndt, 2016; L. Berndt, 2016).

More than one work by the same author in the same year

Distinguish between works by the same author in the same year by including lowercase letters next to the year of publication in both in-text citations and reference list entries.

Example: Terminally ill patients find a source of strength in performing daily prayers and adhering to other religious duties described in their sacred texts such as the Bible and Quran (Robbins, 2011a).

Indirect sources

Provide the author of the source in a signal phrase and include a citation of the secondary source in parentheses. Note that only the secondary source has to be included in the reference list.

Example: Smith argues that “personalistic systems provide the most accurate representation of a patient’s identity” (as cited in Wescot, 2014, p. 213).

Citing sources without page numbers

When an electronic document has numbered paragraphs, use the abbreviation “para.” followed by the paragraph number (Hall, 2001, para. 5). If the paragraphs are not numbered and the document includes

headings, provide the appropriate heading, and specify the paragraph under that heading.

Example: Pinker and Smith (2013) went so far as to argue “that Chinese cultures condone the use of invasive health care procedures” (para. 11).

Example: According to Smith (1997) (Mind Over Matter section, 2018, para. 6)

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