How to Cite APA 4 Authors
When writing a research paper or academic article, proper citation is essential to give credit to the original authors and to avoid plagiarism. One common scenario is when you need to cite a source that has four authors. The American Psychological Association (APA) provides specific guidelines for citing sources with four authors in APA format. This article will guide you through the process of how to cite APA 4 authors accurately.
First, locate the relevant information from the source you wish to cite. This typically includes the authors’ names, the publication date, the title of the work, the title of the journal or book, the volume and issue number (if applicable), and the page numbers.
Next, follow these steps to format your in-text citation:
1. List all four authors’ last names, followed by an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name.
2. Include the year of publication in parentheses.
3. Place a comma after the year and then provide the page number(s) where the information is found.
For example, if you are citing a source with four authors, your in-text citation would look like this:
(Smith, Johnson, Williams, & Brown, 2020, p. 10)
When listing the source in the reference list at the end of your paper, follow these guidelines:
1. Start with the authors’ last names, followed by their first initials.
2. Include the publication year in parentheses.
3. Write the title of the work, using quotation marks if it is a book or article title.
4. Provide the title of the journal or book, without italics.
5. Include the volume and issue number (if applicable), separated by a comma.
6. Mention the page range of the source.
For a source with four authors, your reference list entry would look like this:
Smith, J., Johnson, L., Williams, M., & Brown, R. (2020). Title of the work. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), pp. 10-20.
Remember to double-check the formatting guidelines provided by your institution or publisher, as there may be slight variations in the required format.
In conclusion, citing a source with four authors in APA format involves listing all four authors’ last names, the publication year, and the page number(s) in the in-text citation. In the reference list, include the authors’ initials, the publication year, the title of the work, the title of the journal or book, and the page range. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent with APA style.
