How to Do In-Text Citations for Multiple Authors APA
In-text citations are a crucial part of academic writing, especially when following the APA (American Psychological Association) style. When citing sources with multiple authors, it is important to format the citation correctly to ensure clarity and accuracy. This article will guide you through the process of how to do in-text citations for multiple authors in APA style.
Formatting Multiple Author In-Text Citations
When citing a source with two authors, include both names in the in-text citation, separated by an ampersand (&). For example:
> According to Smith and Johnson (2020), the impact of climate change on coastal communities is significant (p. 45).
If there are three to five authors, include all names in the first citation, followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) in subsequent citations. For example:
> The study by Brown, Davis, Gomez, Hernandez, and Martinez (2020) found that… (p. 50).
For sources with more than five authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” in all citations. For example:
> Research conducted by Thompson et al. (2020) suggests that… (p. 55).
Order of Authors in In-Text Citations
The order of authors in in-text citations should match the order they appear in the reference list. If you need to change the order of authors in the in-text citation, make sure to update the reference list accordingly.
Using Punctuation in In-Text Citations
When citing a source with multiple authors, pay attention to punctuation. Here are some key points to remember:
– Use a comma to separate author names.
– Use an ampersand (&) to connect the last two author names.
– Use parentheses to enclose the year of publication.
– Use a period to end the in-text citation.
Example of a Complete In-Text Citation
Here is an example of a complete in-text citation for a source with multiple authors:
> According to Smith, Johnson, and Brown (2020), the findings indicate that… (p. 60).
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your in-text citations for multiple authors in APA style are accurate and consistent. Remember to always double-check the specific requirements of your institution or publication when formatting your citations.
