Citing sources correctly is crucial for academic integrity. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of how to cite a journal article using the American Psychological Association (APA) style, ensuring your work avoids plagiarism and demonstrates proper scholarship. We'll cover various scenarios, including print and online journal articles, and offer tips for accuracy and consistency.
Understanding APA Citation Basics
Before diving into specific examples, let's establish the fundamental components of an APA journal article citation. These elements, appearing in a specific order, are essential for proper attribution:
- Author(s): Last name, followed by initials. Multiple authors are separated by commas, with an ampersand (&) before the last author.
- Year of Publication: In parentheses.
- Article Title: Capitalize only the first word and proper nouns.
- Journal Title: Italicized; capitalize all major words.
- Volume Number: Italicized.
- Issue Number: In parentheses, if available (often omitted in online citations).
- Page Numbers: Include the range of pages the article occupies.
- DOI (Digital Object Identifier): A unique alphanumeric code that permanently identifies the article online (preferred). If a DOI isn't available, you can use the URL.
Citing Print Journal Articles in APA
For print journal articles, your citation will follow this basic structure:
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), pages–pages.
Example:
Smith, J. D., & Jones, M. E. (2023). The impact of social media on adolescent self-esteem. Journal of Adolescent Psychology, 15(2), 123-145.
Citing Online Journal Articles in APA
Online journal articles often follow a similar format, but the DOI or URL replaces the page numbers.
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), pages–pages. https://doi.org/xxxxxxxxx (or URL)
Example:
Brown, K. L., & Davis, R. A. (2022). The effects of climate change on coastal communities. Environmental Science Review, 20(1), 55-78. https://doi.org/10.1000/exampledoi
If a DOI is unavailable:
Use the URL instead. Always try to find the DOI first as it's the preferred method.
Handling Special Cases in APA Citations
Here are some situations requiring slight adjustments to the basic format:
Multiple Authors:
If the article has more than seven authors, list the first six, followed by an ellipsis (...) and the last author's name.
Articles with no author:
If no author is listed, begin the citation with the article title.
Articles with an organization as author:
Use the organization's name in place of the author's name.
In-Text Citations: APA Style
Remember, every cited source needs an in-text citation within your paper. This typically includes the author's last name and year of publication.
Example: (Smith & Jones, 2023)
If you're directly quoting, include the page number as well.
Example: (Smith & Jones, 2023, p. 135)
Tips for Accurate APA Citations
- Double-check details: Carefully verify all information, such as author names, dates, and journal titles.
- Use a citation management tool: Tools like Zotero or Mendeley can streamline the process and ensure accuracy.
- Consult the official APA Style Manual: For the most comprehensive and up-to-date guidelines, refer to the official publication.
- Maintain consistency: Apply the same style throughout your entire paper.
By following these guidelines, you'll be able to accurately cite journal articles in APA style, ensuring your work meets academic standards and avoids plagiarism. Remember, proper citation is a cornerstone of academic integrity.
