When citing multiple authors in APA style, the format varies depending on the number of authors and the context in which the citation is used. Here are the guidelines for citing multiple authors in APA style:
In-Text Citations
- Two Authors: Separate the authors’ names with an ampersand (&) when in parentheses, but use “and” when the names are part of the sentence.
- (Smith & Johnson, 2020)
- Smith and Johnson (2020) found that…
- Three to Five Authors: List all authors the first time the source is cited. For subsequent citations, use the first author’s name followed by “et al.”
- First citation: (Smith, Johnson, Williams, & Davis, 2020)
- Subsequent citations: (Smith et al., 2020)
- Six or More Authors: Use the first author’s name followed by “et al.” in all citations.
- (Smith et al., 2020)
Reference List
In the reference list, the format for multiple authors is as follows:
- Two to Seven Authors: List all authors, separating the last author from the others with an ampersand (&).
- Smith, J., Johnson, K., Williams, P., Davis, M., & Brown, T. (2020). Title of the book. Publisher.
- Eight or More Authors: List the first six authors, followed by an ellipsis (…), and then the last author.
- Smith, J., Johnson, K., Williams, P., Davis, M., Brown, T., Lee, S.,… Kim, J. (2020). Title of the book. Publisher.
Examples
In-Text Citation Examples:
- (Doe & Smith, 2019) for two authors
- (Doe, Smith, & Johnson, 2020) for the first citation of three authors, then (Doe et al., 2020) for subsequent citations
- (Doe et al., 2021) for six or more authors
Reference List Examples:
- Doe, J., Smith, K., & Johnson, P. (2020). Book title. Publisher. (Three authors)
- Doe, J., Smith, K., Johnson, P., Williams, D., Brown, T., Davis, M., & Lee, S. (2021). Book title. Publisher. (Seven authors)
- Doe, J., Smith, K., Johnson, P., Williams, D., Brown, T., Davis, M., Lee, S.,… Kim, J. (2022). Book title. Publisher. (Eight or more authors)
Key Points
- Variation in Citation Style: Always check the most current edition of the APA Publication Manual or the APA website for the latest guidelines, as citation styles can evolve.
- In-Text Citations vs. Reference List: The format for in-text citations and the reference list can differ, especially concerning the use of “et al.”
- Consistency: Maintain consistency in citation style throughout your document.
Conclusion
Citing multiple authors in APA style requires attention to detail, particularly concerning the number of authors and the distinction between in-text citations and reference list entries. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and compliant with APA standards.
