How to Reference Multiple Authors in APA 7th Edition
When writing a paper or a research report, it is essential to reference the sources of information correctly. The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is widely used in the social sciences, education, business, and other fields. One common question that arises is how to reference multiple authors in APA 7th edition. This article will provide a detailed guide on referencing multiple authors in APA 7th edition.
In APA 7th edition, the format for referencing multiple authors is slightly different from previous versions. The key principle is to list all authors in the order they appear on the source, separated by commas. Here are the guidelines for referencing multiple authors:
1. Two Authors:
When citing a source with two authors, simply list both names in the order they appear in the source, separated by an ampersand (&) before the last name.
Example:
Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). The impact of technology on education. Journal of Educational Technology, 41(2), 123-145.
2. Three to Five Authors:
For sources with three to five authors, list all authors in the order they appear, separated by commas and an ampersand before the last name.
Example:
Brown, A., Davis, B., Green, C., & Jones, D. (2019). Effects of exercise on mental health. Psychology Today, 10(3), 56-67.
3. Six or More Authors:
When a source has six or more authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) after the first author’s name.
Example:
Taylor, S., Smith, J., & et al. (2018). The role of sleep in cognitive development. Sleep Medicine, 49, 45-55.
It is important to note that the “et al.” abbreviation should not be followed by a period, and there should be no comma after “et al.” when it is used.
4. In-text Citations:
When citing a source with multiple authors in the text, follow the same guidelines as above. However, when mentioning the author’s name in the text, use the first author followed by “et al.” for sources with six or more authors.
Example:
According to Smith, Johnson, & et al. (2020), the use of technology in education has significantly impacted student performance (p. 123).
5. Works Cited List:
In the Works Cited list, format multiple authors citations in the same way as in-text citations. Ensure that the names are listed in alphabetical order by the first author’s last name.
Example:
Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). The impact of technology on education. Journal of Educational Technology, 41(2), 123-145.
By following these guidelines, you can correctly reference multiple authors in APA 7th edition. Always double-check the specific formatting requirements for your academic institution or publication, as there may be slight variations in the guidelines.
