How to APA Cite 3 Authors in Text
Citing sources in academic writing is a crucial aspect of maintaining academic integrity and giving credit to the original authors. The APA (American Psychological Association) style is widely used in the social sciences, education, and other disciplines. One common scenario is when you need to cite three authors in your text. This article will guide you through the process of how to APA cite 3 authors in text.
Understanding the APA Format
Before diving into the specifics of citing three authors, it’s essential to understand the basic structure of APA format. In APA style, in-text citations typically include the author’s last name and the year of publication. When citing more than one source within the same parentheses, you must separate the authors’ names with commas and use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name.
Citing Three Authors in the Same Sentence
When you mention all three authors in the same sentence, include their last names and the year of publication in parentheses. For example:
> According to Smith, Johnson, and Lee (2020), the findings indicate that…
If you need to refer to the authors by name in the text, you can mention the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) for the remaining authors:
> Smith et al. (2020) conducted a study…
Citing Three Authors in a Separate Sentence
When you cite three authors in a separate sentence, include the author’s last name, first initial, and the year of publication in parentheses. For example:
> Smith (2020) conducted a study…
> Johnson (2020) further investigated the subject…
> Lee (2020) concluded that…
Using the Author’s Name in the Text
If you mention the author’s name in the text, include the year of publication in parentheses after the name. For example:
> According to Smith (2020), the findings suggest…
Handling Authorship Disputes
In cases where there is a dispute over authorship or the order of authors, it’s essential to follow the guidelines provided by the journal or institution. If necessary, you can include additional information in parentheses to clarify the situation. For example:
> According to Smith et al. (2020; see also dispute over authorship, 2019), the results demonstrate…
Conclusion
Citing three authors in APA style is a straightforward process that involves following the basic structure of the APA format. By understanding the guidelines and examples provided in this article, you can ensure that your in-text citations are accurate and adhere to the requirements of the APA style. Remember to always give credit to the original authors and maintain academic integrity in your writing.
