How to Cite a Paper Using APA 7th Edition

The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used for citing sources in the social sciences. The 7th edition, published in 2020, is the most recent guide that sets clear guidelines for citing different types of sources in academic papers. Properly citing your sources is crucial to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the authors whose work you have referenced. In this article, we will guide you through the process of citing a paper using the APA 7th edition style.

About APA 7th Edition

The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition (APA 7) is the official style guide for academic writing in the social sciences. It was released in October 2019 and serves as an authoritative reference for students, researchers, and professionals in fields such as psychology, education, business, nursing, and more.

The APA 7th edition provides comprehensive guidelines for all aspects of academic writing, including:

1. Structure and Content:
   • Paper format and organization
   • Headings and subheadings
   • Bias-free language guidelines
   • Presenting statistics and data
2. Writing Style:
   • Grammar and punctuation rules
   • Clarity and conciseness in writing
   • Tone and voice
   • Word choice and usage
3. Ethical Principles:
   • Promoting academic integrity
   • Avoiding plagiarism
   • Respecting intellectual property rights
   • Protecting research participants’ rights
4. Citing Sources:
   • In-text citations (author-date style)
   • Reference list formatting
   • Citing various types of sources (books, journals, websites, etc.)
   • Handling secondary sources
5. Visual Aids:
   • Tables and figures
   • Formatting and numbering
   • Preparing artwork and illustrations

In-Text Citations

In-text citations are brief references inserted within the body of your paper to indicate the source of the information you have used. They typically include the author’s last name and the publication year, and sometimes a page number or other location information.

1. Citing a Paper with One or Two Authors:
   • For a paper with one author, include the author’s last name and the publication year separated by a comma: (Jones, 2020)
   • For a paper with two authors, include both authors’ last names separated by an ampersand (&): (Smith & Wilson, 2019)
2. Citing a Paper with Three or More Authors:
   • For a paper with three or more authors, include the last name of the first author followed by “et al.” and the publication year: (Martin et al., 2018)
3. Citing a Direct Quote:
   • When you include a direct quote from a paper, you must also include the page number or other location information: (Jones, 2020, p. 23) (Smith & Wilson, 2019, para. 4)
4. Citing a Source with No Author:
   • If the source has no author, use the first few words of the reference entry (usually the title) and the publication year: (“Study Shows,” 2021)

Reference List

The reference list is an alphabetical list of all the sources you have cited in your paper. It should be placed at the end of your paper, starting on a new page. Each reference entry should follow a specific format based on the type of source you are citing.

1. Citing a Journal Article: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Publication Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, Volume(Issue), Page range. https://doi.org/xx.xxxx/xxxxx Example: Cho, S. J., & Park, J. H. (2019). The role of social capital in urban community development: A case study of Busan, South Korea. Cities, 89, 203-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2019.02.004
2. Citing a Book: Author, A. A. (Publication Year). Title of the book. Publisher Name. Example: Lemann, N. (2019). The big test: The secret history of the American meritocracy. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
3. Citing an Online Newspaper or Magazine Article: Author, A. A. (Publication Date). Title of the article. Title of the Newspaper/Magazine. https://www.websiteURL.com Example: Basu, T. (2020, June 15). How the coronavirus pandemic is changing the way we think about immigration. MIT Technology Review. https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/06/15/1003619/coronavirus-pandemic-immigration-policy-global-migration/
4. Citing a Website: Author, A. A. (Publication Date). Title of the webpage. Site Name. https://www.websiteURL.com Example: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, April 30). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): How to protect yourself. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

Formatting Your APA Paper (APA 7th Edition)

Proper formatting is essential when writing an academic paper in APA style. The 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association provides specific guidelines for formatting various elements of your paper. Here are the key requirements for formatting an APA-style paper:

1. General Format:
   • Use 8.5″ x 11″ paper with 1-inch margins on all sides.
   • Double-space the entire document, including the reference list.
   • Use a legible font such as Times New Roman, 12-point size.
   • Include a page number in the top-right corner of every page, starting with the title page.
2. Title Page:
   • The title page should include the paper’s title, your name, and the name of your institution.
   • The title should be centered and typed in boldface.
   • Your name should be one double-spaced line below the title.
   • The institutional affiliation should be one double-spaced line below your name.
3. Abstract (if required):
   • Begin a new page for the abstract.
   • The word “Abstract” should be centered and boldfaced at the top of the page.
   • The abstract should be a concise summary of your paper (typically between 150-250 words).
   • Do not indent the first line of the abstract.
4. Body:
   • Begin the body of your paper on a new page.
   • Indent the first line of each new paragraph by 0.5 inches (using the tab key).
   • Use heading levels to organize your paper (e.g., Centered, Boldface Uppercase and Lowercase Heading for Level 1).
   • Include in-text citations for all sources you reference in the body of your paper.
5. Reference List:
   • Begin the reference list on a new page.
   • The word “References” should be centered and boldfaced at the top of the page.
   • List all sources cited in your paper in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.
   • Use a hanging indent for each reference entry (the first line is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches).
   • Follow the specific formatting guidelines for each type of source (book, journal article, website, etc.).
6. Tables and Figures:
   • Each table and figure should be placed on a separate page after the reference list.
   • Tables and figures should be numbered consecutively (e.g., Table 1, Figure 2) and have a descriptive title.
   • Include a note below each table or figure to explain any abbreviations or symbols used.

Additionally, be sure to follow APA guidelines for language and writing style, including using bias-free language, avoiding contractions, and presenting data and statistics clearly and accurately.

Additional Tips

1. Formatting:
   • Double-space the entire document, including the reference list.
   • Use a consistent font style and size (e.g., Times New Roman, 12-point font).
   • Indent the second and subsequent lines of each reference entry.
2. Organizing the Reference List:
   • Arrange the reference entries in alphabetical order by the author’s last name or the first word of the reference entry if no author is given.
   • For multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, with the oldest entry first.
3. Handling Secondary Sources:
   • If you are citing a source that you have not read directly but is cited in another work, use the following format: (Jones, 2020, as cited in Smith, 2021)
4. Avoiding Plagiarism:
   • Always provide accurate and complete citations for all sources you have used in your paper.
   • Paraphrasing or summarizing someone else’s work without properly citing the source is considered plagiarism.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your paper adheres to the APA 7th edition style and properly acknowledges the sources you have referenced. Accurate citation practices are essential for maintaining academic integrity and credibility in your research.