The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used in academic writing, particularly in the social sciences. When citing multiple authors in APA style, it is essential to follow specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. In this section, we will explore the rules for citing multiple authors in APA style, including the use of commas, ampersands, and et al.
Citing Two to Seven Authors
When citing a source with two to seven authors, APA style requires that all authors be listed in the first citation. For example, if a source has three authors, the citation would appear as follows: Smith, Johnson, & Thompson (2020). In subsequent citations, the first author’s name is followed by “et al.,” which is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase “et alii,” meaning “and others.” For instance, Smith et al. (2020) would be used in subsequent citations.
Citing Eight or More Authors
When citing a source with eight or more authors, APA style requires that the first six authors be listed, followed by an ellipsis, and then the last author’s name. For example, if a source has nine authors, the citation would appear as follows: Smith, Johnson, Thompson, Williams, Brown, Davis, … , & Wilson (2020). In subsequent citations, the first author’s name is followed by “et al.,” as in Smith et al. (2020).
| Number of Authors | First Citation | Subsequent Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 2-7 authors | List all authors, separated by commas, with an ampersand before the last author | First author's name followed by "et al." |
| 8 or more authors | List the first six authors, followed by an ellipsis, and then the last author's name | First author's name followed by "et al." |
Group Authors
When citing a source with a group author, such as a corporation or organization, APA style requires that the group name be listed in the citation. For example, American Psychological Association (2020) would be the correct citation for a source published by the American Psychological Association. If the group author has a well-known abbreviation, it can be used in subsequent citations, such as APA (2020).
Multiple Works by the Same Author
When citing multiple works by the same author, APA style requires that the works be listed in chronological order, with the earliest work first. If the works were published in the same year, they are listed in alphabetical order by title, with the title of the work in title case. For example, Smith (2020a) and Smith (2020b) would be the correct citations for two works published by the same author in the same year.
To differentiate between multiple works by the same author published in the same year, APA style uses a letter suffix, such as "a" or "b," after the year of publication. This suffix is used in both the in-text citation and the reference list entry.
- List the works in chronological order, with the earliest work first.
- If the works were published in the same year, list them in alphabetical order by title.
- Use a letter suffix, such as "a" or "b," after the year of publication to differentiate between multiple works by the same author published in the same year.
How do I cite a source with multiple authors in APA style?
+When citing a source with multiple authors in APA style, list all authors in the first citation, separated by commas, with an ampersand before the last author. In subsequent citations, use the first author’s name followed by “et al.” For sources with eight or more authors, list the first six authors, followed by an ellipsis, and then the last author’s name.
How do I cite a source with a group author in APA style?
+When citing a source with a group author, such as a corporation or organization, list the group name in the citation. If the group author has a well-known abbreviation, it can be used in subsequent citations.
