So, you've conducted a fascinating interview and now need to cite it correctly in your APA paper? Don't worry; it's easier than you think! This guide offers beginner-friendly strategies and examples to help you master APA interview citations. We'll cover both personal interviews and published ones.
Understanding APA Interview Citations: The Basics
Before diving into specifics, let's clarify the core principle: APA style prioritizes providing enough information for your reader to locate the source. For interviews, this means identifying the interviewee, the date, and the method of communication (e.g., in-person, phone, email).
Key Elements You'll Need:
- Interviewee's Name: This should appear as it does in the interview.
- Date of Interview: Include the month, day, and year.
- Method of Interview: Specify if it was in person, over the phone, via email, or video conferencing.
- Your role: The role you played in obtaining the interview could affect your citation.
Citing Unpublished Interviews (Personal Interviews) in APA
These are interviews you conducted yourself for your research. They won't appear in a database like a published article would.
Example 1: In-Person Interview
Let's say you interviewed Dr. Jane Smith on March 15, 2024, in person, about her research on climate change. Here's how you'd cite it in your references list:
Smith, J. (2024, March 15). Personal interview.
And within the text, you would use a parenthetical citation like this: (Smith, 2024). Simple, right?
Example 2: Email or Phone Interview
If the interview was conducted via email or phone, simply adjust the method:
Smith, J. (2024, March 15). Interview conducted via email.
or
Smith, J. (2024, March 15). Interview conducted via telephone.
Important Note: In the text itself, it's good practice to briefly mention the interview method. For example, "In an email interview conducted on March 15, 2024, Dr. Smith stated..." This adds clarity.
Citing Published Interviews in APA
This is trickier as the citation will depend heavily on the source where the interview is published. It won't be a stand-alone reference but rather a citation within a larger work (like a book or journal article).
Example 3: Interview in a Book
Imagine an interview with Sarah Jones published in a book edited by David Brown:
Jones, S. (2023). Interview with Sarah Jones. In D. Brown (Ed.), The Art of Storytelling (pp. 120-135). Publisher Name.
Your in-text citation would include the interviewee's name and the year of publication.
Example 4: Interview in a Journal
If the interview was published in an academic journal, the citation structure would follow the standard journal article format, but be sure to specify it's an interview:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of Interview. Journal Title, Volume(Issue), pages. DOI or URL.
Remember to always double-check the specific publication guidelines of the journal for any variations.
Top Tips for Success:
- Consistency is Key: Maintain a consistent citation style throughout your paper.
- Accuracy Above All: Ensure all details are correct to avoid plagiarism.
- When in Doubt, Consult the APA Manual: The official APA style guide is your ultimate authority. Library resources can also be immensely helpful.
By following these starter-friendly strategies, you can confidently cite your interviews in APA style. Remember that clear, accurate citation enhances the credibility of your academic work.
