When citing sources with two authors in APA style, it is essential to understand the formatting guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency in your references. The American Psychological Association (APA) provides specific rules for citing sources with multiple authors, including those with two authors.
Basic Citation Format for Two Authors
The basic format for citing a source with two authors in APA style involves listing the last names of both authors, separated by an ampersand (&) when they appear together in the text, or by “and” when listed in the reference list. Here is a breakdown of how to cite sources with two authors in different contexts:
In-Text Citations
For in-text citations, APA style recommends listing the last names of both authors, separated by an ampersand (&), and the year of publication. If the citation appears at the end of a sentence, it should be enclosed in parentheses. For example: (Smith & Johnson, 2020). If the authors’ names are part of the sentence, the year appears in parentheses: Smith and Johnson (2020) argue that…
Reference List Entries
In the reference list, the format for a source with two authors includes the last names and initials of both authors, the year of publication, the title of the work, and the publication information. Here is an example of a reference list entry for a journal article with two authors:
Smith, J., & Johnson, K. (2020). The impact of technology on learning outcomes. Journal of Educational Psychology, 112(4), 631-642. doi: 10.1037/edu0000496
| Component | Example |
|---|---|
| Last names and initials of authors | Smith, J., & Johnson, K. |
| Year of publication | 2020 |
| Title of the work | The impact of technology on learning outcomes |
| Publication title | Journal of Educational Psychology |
| Volume and issue numbers | 112(4) |
| Page numbers | 631-642 |
| DOI (if applicable) | doi: 10.1037/edu0000496 |
Citing Multiple Works by the Same Authors
If you are citing multiple works by the same authors published in the same year, APA style requires that you distinguish these sources by adding letters (a, b, c, etc.) to the year in both the in-text citations and the reference list entries. For example: (Smith & Johnson, 2020a) and (Smith & Johnson, 2020b).
Citing Sources with More Than Two Authors
While this section focuses on sources with two authors, it’s worth noting that APA style has specific guidelines for sources with three or more authors. For the first citation, all authors’ names are listed, but subsequent citations include only the first author’s name followed by “et al.” and the year.
How do I cite a source with two authors in APA style within the text?
+To cite a source with two authors in APA style within the text, you should list the last names of both authors, separated by an ampersand (&), and the year of publication. For example: (Smith & Johnson, 2020) or Smith and Johnson (2020) argue that...
What is the format for a reference list entry for a journal article with two authors in APA style?
+The format includes the last names and initials of both authors, the year of publication, the title of the article, the title of the journal, the volume and issue numbers, the page numbers, and the DOI (if applicable). For example: Smith, J., & Johnson, K. (2020). The impact of technology on learning outcomes. Journal of Educational Psychology, 112(4), 631-642. doi: 10.1037/edu0000496
In conclusion, citing sources with two authors in APA style requires careful attention to detail, including the use of ampersands, commas, and parentheses, as well as adherence to specific guidelines for in-text citations and reference list entries. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent, reflecting the high standards of academic integrity and professionalism.
