APA Multiple Authors Citation Guide
The American Psychological Association (APA) style is a widely used citation format in social sciences, education, and business. When citing sources with multiple authors, it is essential to follow the APA guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to cite sources with multiple authors in APA style.
Basic Rules for Citing Multiple Authors
When citing sources with multiple authors, the general rule is to list all authors’ last names and initials, separated by commas, in the order they appear in the publication. However, there are some exceptions and variations to this rule, which we will discuss below.
Two to Seven Authors
For sources with two to seven authors, list all authors’ last names and initials, separated by commas, in the order they appear in the publication. Use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name.
| Number of Authors | Example Citation |
|---|---|
| Two authors | Smith, J., & Johnson, K. (2020) |
| Three authors | Smith, J., Johnson, K., & Williams, P. (2020) |
| Four authors | Smith, J., Johnson, K., Williams, P., & Davis, M. (2020) |
| Five authors | Smith, J., Johnson, K., Williams, P., Davis, M., & Brown, T. (2020) |
| Six authors | Smith, J., Johnson, K., Williams, P., Davis, M., Brown, T., & Lee, S. (2020) |
| Seven authors | Smith, J., Johnson, K., Williams, P., Davis, M., Brown, T., Lee, S., & Kim, J. (2020) |
Eight or More Authors
For sources with eight or more authors, list the first six authors’ last names and initials, followed by an ellipsis (…), and then the last author’s name.
Example: Smith, J., Johnson, K., Williams, P., Davis, M., Brown, T., Lee, S.,… Kim, J. (2020)
Citing Multiple Authors in Text
When citing multiple authors in text, use the same format as the reference list, but separate the authors’ names with commas and use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name.
Example: (Smith, Johnson, & Williams, 2020)
Group Authors
For sources with group authors, such as organizations or companies, use the group name as the author.
Example: (American Psychological Association, 2020)
Citing Multiple Works by the Same Authors
When citing multiple works by the same authors, use the same format as the reference list, but include the year of publication to distinguish between the works.
Example: Smith, J., & Johnson, K. (2020a) and Smith, J., & Johnson, K. (2020b)
Key Points
- List all authors' last names and initials for sources with two to seven authors.
- Use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name.
- For sources with eight or more authors, list the first six authors, followed by an ellipsis (...), and then the last author's name.
- Use the same format for citing multiple authors in text as in the reference list.
- Use the group name as the author for sources with group authors.
Conclusion
Citing multiple authors in APA style can be challenging, but by following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure accuracy and consistency in your citations. Remember to list all authors’ last names and initials, use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name, and include the year of publication to distinguish between multiple works by the same authors.
How do I cite multiple authors in APA style?
+List all authors' last names and initials, separated by commas, in the order they appear in the publication. Use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name.
What if there are eight or more authors?
+List the first six authors, followed by an ellipsis (...), and then the last author's name.
How do I cite multiple works by the same authors?
+Include the year of publication to distinguish between the works.
