How to Cite with Multiple Authors APA 7
In the world of academic writing, citing sources is an essential part of the process. One common scenario that arises is when a source has multiple authors. The APA 7th edition provides guidelines on how to cite such sources correctly. This article will discuss the steps to follow when citing a source with multiple authors in APA 7 format.
Formatting the In-text Citation
When citing a source with multiple authors in APA 7, the in-text citation should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. If there are three or fewer authors, list all their last names. However, if there are more than three authors, list only the first author’s last name, followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) and the year of publication.
For example, if you are citing a source with three authors, the in-text citation would look like this: (Smith, Johnson, & Brown, 2020). If the source has more than three authors, the citation would be: (Smith et al., 2020).
Formatting the Reference List Entry
The reference list entry for a source with multiple authors should include the authors’ last names, initials, publication year, the title of the work, the title of the container, other contributors, version or edition, numbers, publisher, and location. Here’s an example of how to format the reference list entry:
Smith, J., Johnson, B., Brown, C., & Davis, E. (2020). The impact of climate change on coastal communities. Journal of Environmental Studies, 12(3), 45-60.
If the source has more than three authors, the format would be:
Smith, J., et al. (2020). The impact of climate change on coastal communities. Journal of Environmental Studies, 12(3), 45-60.
Formatting the Reference List Entry for a Source with a Corporate Author
When citing a source with a corporate author, the format is similar to that of a source with multiple authors. However, instead of listing the author’s last name, you should use the name of the corporation or organization. Here’s an example:
Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Climate change: Impacts and mitigation. Retrieved from climate-change
In this case, the corporate author is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the reference list entry would follow the same format as a source with multiple authors.
Conclusion
Citing a source with multiple authors in APA 7 format is a straightforward process. By following the guidelines provided in the APA manual, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent. Always remember to include the author’s last name, publication year, and the title of the work in your in-text citations, and to format the reference list entry correctly.
