Apa Citation Multiple Authors

When citing a source with multiple authors in APA style, the format varies depending on the number of authors and the context in which the citation is used (in-text vs. reference list). Here are the basic guidelines for citing multiple authors in APA style:

In-Text Citations

1. Two Authors: For sources with two authors, list both authors’ last names separated by an ampersand (&) in the in-text citation.

   • Example: (Smith & Johnson, 2020)

2. Three or More Authors: For sources with three or more authors, list only the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” (which means “and others”) in the in-text citation.

   • Example: (Williams et al., 2020)

3. Multiple Works by Different Authors: When citing multiple works by different authors in a single in-text citation, separate the citations with commas.

   • Example: (Smith, 2020, Johnson, 2019, Williams et al., 2018)

4. Group Authors: For sources with group authors (e.g., organizations, companies), the name of the group can be used as the author.

   • Example: (American Psychological Association, 2020)

Reference List Entries

1. Two to Seven Authors: List all authors’ last names and initials in the reference list.

   • Example:
     • Smith, J. A., & Johnson, K. B. (2020). Title of book. Publisher.

2. Eight or More Authors: List the first six authors, then insert an ellipsis (…) and add the last author.

   • Example:
     • Smith, J. A., Johnson, K. B., Williams, P. D., Brown, L. K., Davis, J. H., Miller, R. T.,… & Wilson, J. E. (2020). Title of book. Publisher.

3. No Author: Use the title in the in-text citation and the reference list entry.

   • Example:
     • (“Title of Book,” 2020)

Examples of Reference List Entries for Different Types of Sources

• Journal Article with Two Authors:

  • Smith, J. A., & Johnson, K. B. (2020). Article title. Journal Title, Volume(Issue), pp-pp. doi:xx.xxxxxxxxxx

• Book with Three Authors:

  • Williams, P. D., Brown, L. K., & Davis, J. H. (2020). Book title. Publisher.

• Edited Book with Multiple Authors:

  • Johnson, K. B. (Ed.). (2020). Book title. Publisher.
  • For chapters in an edited book, the format would include the chapter authors, title of the chapter, the editor(s) of the book, title of the book, page numbers, and publisher.

Additional Tips

• Always check the most current edition of the APA Publication Manual or the APA website for the most up-to-date guidelines, as citation styles can evolve.
• When in doubt about the correct format for a specific source type, consult the APA style guides or seek guidance from a librarian or academic advisor.

Remember, APA style emphasizes clarity and consistency in communication, particularly in academic and professional environments. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original authors but also allows readers to locate the sources used in the research.