What to Do if There Are Multiple Authors in APA Format
In academic writing, it is not uncommon to collaborate with multiple authors on a single project. When it comes to formatting a paper in APA style, which is widely used in the social sciences, psychology, and education, citing multiple authors can be a bit tricky. This article will guide you through the process of what to do if there are multiple authors in APA format.
Formatting the Author List
When listing authors in APA format, the order of the names is crucial. The first author’s name should be followed by a comma, then the last name, and then a period. If there are more than two authors, the second author’s name should be followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) after the first comma. For example:
– Smith, J. A., & Johnson, L. B. (2020).
– Smith, J. A., Johnson, L. B., & Lee, C. D. et al. (2020).
Citing the Source
When citing a source with multiple authors in APA format, the in-text citation should follow the same structure as the author list. If you are citing a source with two authors, include both names in the in-text citation. For example:
– (Smith & Johnson, 2020)
For sources with three or more authors, only include the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” in the in-text citation. For example:
– (Smith et al., 2020)
Formatting the Reference List
In the reference list, the format for citing a source with multiple authors is similar to the in-text citation. The first author’s last name should be followed by a comma, then the first initial of their first name, a period, the last name, a comma, and then the publication date. For example:
– Smith, J. A., Johnson, L. B., & Lee, C. D. (2020).
If the source has three or more authors, include the first author’s last name, followed by “et al.,” a comma, and then the publication date. For example:
– Smith, J. A., et al. (2020).
Formatting the Title
When formatting the title of a paper with multiple authors in APA style, the authors’ names should be included in the title, separated by commas. For example:
– “The Impact of Social Media on Adolescents: A Multi-Author Analysis”
Conclusion
In conclusion, when working with multiple authors in APA format, it is important to follow the proper guidelines for formatting the author list, in-text citations, reference list, and title. By adhering to these rules, you can ensure that your paper is well-organized and meets the standards of academic writing.
