To parenthetically cite a journal article in APA Style, include the author's last name, the publication year, and, for direct quotes or specific information, a page number or range, all separated by commas within parentheses.
Understanding Parenthetical Citations
Parenthetical citations are a fundamental part of academic writing, providing credit to sources directly within the body of your text. They guide readers to the full reference entry at the end of your work, allowing them to locate the original source for more information. In APA Style, these are known as "author-date" citations.
Key Elements of an APA Parenthetical Citation
According to APA guidelines, a parenthetical citation for a journal article should always contain the following core elements:
- Author's Last Name: The surname of the primary author (or authors).
- Publication Date: The year the article was published.
- Page Number or Range (if applicable): Required for direct quotes, and recommended for paraphrased information that refers to a specific part of a lengthy source.
These elements must be separated by commas within the parentheses.
General Format
The standard format for an APA parenthetical citation is:
(Author's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)
or
(Author's Last Name, Year, pp. Page Range)
If you are paraphrasing and not referring to a specific page, the page number can be omitted:
(Author's Last Name, Year)
Practical Examples of Journal Article Citations
The way you structure your parenthetical citation depends on whether you are quoting directly or paraphrasing, and how many authors the article has.
| Scenario | In-Text Citation Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Paraphrased Information | (Smith, 2020) | Used when you summarize or restate an idea from the article in your own words. The page number is optional but can be included for clarity, especially if the source is long or complex (Smith, 2020, p. 45). |
| Direct Quote | "The study showed significant results" (Jones, 2019, p. 123). | Always include the page number (preceded by 'p.') or page range (preceded by 'pp.') when directly quoting. For sources without page numbers, use paragraph numbers (para.) or section titles. |
| Two Authors | (Lee & Chen, 2021) or (Lee & Chen, 2021, pp. 78-79) | Cite both authors' last names connected by an ampersand (&). |
| Three or More Authors | (Garcia et al., 2022) or (Garcia et al., 2022, p. 25) | For three or more authors, cite only the first author's last name followed by "et al." (meaning "and others") and the year. |
| Author Mentioned in Text | According to Davis (2023), "..." (p. 50). | If you mention the author's name in your sentence, only the year and page number (for direct quotes) are needed in the parentheses immediately after the author's name. |
| No Author | ("Impact of Technology," 2018, p. 7) | If no author is listed, use the first few words of the article title (in quotation marks) followed by the year and page number. If the title is long, shorten it. |
Citing Direct Quotes
When you incorporate the exact words from a journal article, it's mandatory to include the page number or page range where the quote can be found. Use "p." for a single page and "pp." for multiple pages.
- Example: "The findings indicated a strong correlation between variables" (Roberts, 2020, p. 345).
- Example with author in text: According to Kim (2021), "early intervention programs yield better long-term outcomes" (p. 87).
For sources without traditional page numbers, like some online articles, use paragraph numbers (e.g., para. 4) or section titles.
Citing Paraphrased Information
When you rephrase information or summarize an idea, you still need an in-text citation. While page numbers are not strictly required for paraphrases, they are highly recommended, especially when you are referring to a specific part of a longer work or when precision is important.
- Example: Research suggests that student engagement can be significantly improved through active learning strategies (Johnson, 2019).
- Example with page number for clarity: Recent studies highlight the importance of metacognitive skills in academic success (Miller, 2022, pp. 112-113).
Handling Multiple Authors
- One or Two Authors: Include the last names of both authors. Use an ampersand (&) between the names in the parenthetical citation.
- (Smith & Jones, 2023)
- Three or More Authors: For three or more authors, use the first author's last name followed by "et al." (meaning "and others").
- (Davis et al., 2021)
Author-Date System Explained
The "author-date" system of APA Style means that every in-text citation provides the author's last name and the year of publication. This system allows readers to quickly identify the source and then easily locate the full reference entry in the reference list, which is organized alphabetically by author. For more detailed information, consult the official APA Style website or reputable guides like Purdue OWL's APA section.
Essential Tips for Accurate Citing
- Consistency is Key: Always apply the same citation style throughout your entire document.
- Check Original Sources: Verify author names, publication years, and page numbers directly from the journal article whenever possible.
- Use Citation Managers: Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote can help automate and manage your citations, reducing errors.
- Consult Style Guides: Refer to the latest edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association or reliable online resources for specific edge cases or complex citation scenarios.
