How to Cite APA Multiple Authors in Text
Citing multiple authors in APA style can be a bit confusing, especially for those who are new to academic writing. APA (American Psychological Association) style is widely used in the social sciences, education, and other fields. Proper citation is crucial to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original authors. In this article, we will discuss how to cite APA multiple authors in text, including direct quotes, paraphrases, and indirect quotes.
Direct Quotes with Multiple Authors
When citing a direct quote from a source with multiple authors, include all the authors’ last names in the text, separated by commas, followed by the year of publication. Place the quote in quotation marks and include the page number in parentheses.
Example:
According to Johnson, Smith, and Brown (2020), “The study found that participants who engaged in regular exercise reported higher levels of well-being and lower levels of stress” (p. 45).
If you quote more than one sentence from the same source, include the page number for each sentence.
Example:
In a recent study, Johnson, Smith, and Brown (2020) noted that “the benefits of exercise on mental health are well-documented” (p. 45). Furthermore, they stated that “the findings suggest that exercise may be a cost-effective intervention for improving mental health” (p. 46).
Paraphrasing with Multiple Authors
When paraphrasing a source with multiple authors, include all the authors’ last names in the text, separated by commas, followed by the year of publication. You do not need to use quotation marks, but you must include the page number in parentheses.
Example:
Johnson, Smith, and Brown (2020) found that regular exercise has significant benefits for mental health, including lower levels of stress and higher levels of well-being (p. 45).
If you mention the authors’ names in the text, you can omit the year of publication and the parentheses.
Example:
As Johnson, Smith, and Brown (2020) reported, regular exercise is beneficial for mental health.
Indirect Quotes with Multiple Authors
When citing an indirect quote from a source with multiple authors, include the authors’ last names in the text, separated by commas, followed by the year of publication. You do not need to use quotation marks, and the page number in parentheses is optional, especially if the information is widely known.
Example:
According to research, regular exercise has been linked to improved mental health (Johnson, Smith, & Brown, 2020).
When All Authors Are Mentioned in the Text
If you mention all the authors’ names in the text, you can omit the author names in the parentheses.
Example:
Regular exercise has been linked to improved mental health, as Johnson, Smith, and Brown (2020) found (p. 45).
When Only the First Author Is Mentioned
If you mention only the first author in the text, include the other authors’ names in parentheses, separated by commas, followed by the year of publication.
Example:
Regular exercise has been linked to improved mental health, as Johnson and colleagues (2020) reported (p. 45).
Remember that proper citation is essential in academic writing to maintain academic integrity and give credit to the original authors. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your APA citations are accurate and consistent.
