APA Citation Guidelines for Works with Multiple Authors

APA (American Psychological Association) style can be particularly helpful when dealing with works that have multiple authors. This guide will outline the proper methods for citing works with more than three authors in both in-text citations and the reference list. By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure your citations are accurate and follow the latest APA style requirements.

In-Text Citations

For the first citation of a work with more than three authors, include the last names of all authors separated by commas. Use ldquo;et al.rdquo; for subsequent citations until the authors differ or the work is cited again in a new section of your document.

First Citation Example

In a research paper, you might cite a study as follows:

ldquo;A recent study by Jones, Miller, Wilson, and Thompson (2024) found that...rdquo;

Subsequent Citation Example

For subsequent mentions of the same study in the same section of your document:

ldquo;Smith et al. (2024) also reported similar results.rdquo;

Reference List

In the reference list, list all authorsrsquo; names, including initials, separated by commas. If there are more than 20 authors, list the first 19 authorsrsquo; last names and initials, followed by an ellipsis () and then the last authorsrsquo; name. Note that you should not include ldquo;et al.rdquo; unless the actual work has more than 20 authors.

Example of a Short List

Jones, A. A., Miller, B. B., Wilson, C. C., Thompson, D. D. (2024). The impact of teamwork on project success (7th ed.). Publisher Name.

Example of a Longer List

Brown, H. H., Jones, I. I., Kelly, J. J., ... (Zzz X. X.). (2024). New perspectives in research (12th ed.). Publisher Name.

Additional Tips

When citing multiple works by the same group of authors with the same publication year, differentiate them by using lowercase letters after the year. For example:

ldquo;Smith et al. (2024a) and Smith et al. (2024b)rdquo;

Always double-check your citations against the latest APA Style Guide to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Conclusion

Mastering the APA citation style, especially for works with multiple authors, is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and clarity in your research and writing. By following the guidelines provided in this article, you can ensure your citations are correctly formatted and adhere to the latest APA standards.