How to Reference Two Authors APA
When writing a research paper or any academic document, it is essential to reference your sources correctly. One common scenario is when you need to reference two authors in your work. The American Psychological Association (APA) style provides specific guidelines on how to reference two authors in your in-text citations and reference list. In this article, we will discuss how to reference two authors APA style.
In-text citations:
When you quote or paraphrase from two authors, you need to include both names in the in-text citation. The format for in-text citations with two authors is as follows:
– If both authors’ names are mentioned in the sentence, simply list them in the order they appear in the source material.
Example: According to Smith and Johnson (2020), the impact of climate change on agriculture is significant.
– If only one author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, you can use “et al.” (meaning “and others”) after the first author’s name.
Example: Smith et al. (2020) conducted a study on the effects of social media on teenagers.
– If the authors have the same last name, include an additional identifier (e.g., an initial or a suffix) to differentiate between them.
Example: Smith and Smith (2020) found that the use of smartphones has increased among college students.
Reference list:
In your reference list, you will need to list both authors’ full names, the year of publication, the title of the source, and other relevant information. The format for referencing two authors in APA style is as follows:
– If both authors’ names are mentioned in the in-text citation, include both in the reference list.
Example: Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). The impact of climate change on agriculture. Journal of Environmental Studies, 12(3), 45-60.
– If only one author’s name is mentioned in the in-text citation, include the first author’s name and “et al.” in the reference list.
Example: Smith, J. et al. (2020). The effects of social media on teenagers. Journal of Youth Studies, 23(4), 78-95.
– If the authors have the same last name, include an additional identifier (e.g., an initial or a suffix) to differentiate between them in the reference list.
Example: Smith, J. Jr. & Smith, L. (2020). The use of smartphones among college students. Journal of Technology and Education, 29(2), 112-130.
By following these guidelines, you can correctly reference two authors in APA style and ensure that your academic work is properly cited. Remember to always check for the most recent APA guidelines, as they may be updated periodically.
