How to Cite an Author in an Edited Book APA
Citing an author in an edited book can be a bit tricky, especially when using the APA (American Psychological Association) citation style. The APA style has specific guidelines for citing authors in edited books, ensuring that the references are clear, accurate, and consistent. In this article, we will discuss the steps to follow when citing an author in an edited book using APA style.
First and foremost, it is essential to understand the structure of an edited book. An edited book is a collection of chapters written by different authors, compiled and edited by one or more editors. When citing an author from an edited book, you need to include the following elements in your reference list:
1. Author of the chapter: Start with the last name, followed by the first initial of the author’s first name. If there are multiple authors, list them in the same format, separated by commas.
2. Editor(s) of the book: After the chapter author(s), include the editor(s) of the book. Use the same format as for the chapter author(s), but include the word “Ed.” or “Eds.” before their names to indicate that they are editors.
3. Title of the chapter: Use quotation marks around the title of the chapter. Capitalize the first letter of each major word, excluding articles, prepositions, and conjunctions.
4. Title of the book: Place the title of the book in italics. Capitalize the first letter of each major word, excluding articles, prepositions, and conjunctions.
5. Edition (if applicable): Include the edition number of the book, if it is a revised or updated edition. Use the abbreviation “Ed.” or “Eds.” before the edition number.
6. Publisher and publication year: List the publisher of the book, followed by the publication year in parentheses.
7. Page range of the chapter: Finally, include the page range of the chapter in parentheses.
Here is an example of how to cite an author in an edited book using APA style:
Smith, J. (2019). Chapter title. In R. Johnson (Ed.), Book title (3rd ed., pp. 45-60). Publisher.
Remember to adjust the format according to the specific requirements of your source material. If the chapter is not included in a printed book but is available online, you may need to include additional information, such as the URL or DOI.
In conclusion, citing an author in an edited book using APA style involves following a specific structure and including all necessary elements. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your references are accurate, clear, and consistent with the APA citation style.
