In-Text Citation in APA Style for Research Papers
Proper citation is crucial when writing research papers. The in-text citations allow readers to locate the sources referenced in the body of the paper in the reference list at the end. There are a few different ways to format in-text citations in papers using APA (American Psychological Association) style, depending on the number of authors for a source and whether or not you are directly quoting a source. The following guide explains the different formats and provides examples for how to properly cite sources in the text of an APA formatted research paper.
One Author Citations
For sources with one author, include the last name of the author followed by the year of publication in parentheses each time you refer to information from that source. Place direct quotes from the source in quotation marks.
For example:
Smith (2020) found benefits to exercise in reducing stress levels.
“Regular exercise can lower stress and improve mood” (Smith, 2020, p. 12).
Two Author Citations
For sources with two authors, include both last names separated by an ampersand (&) in the in-text citation.
For example:
Recent research showed positive results (Johnson & Smith, 2021).
“Further studies are still needed” (Johnson & Smith, 2021, p. 5).
Three or More Authors Citations
For sources with three or more authors, include only the last name of the first author followed by “et al.” and the year in parentheses.
For example:
The findings were further supported (Brown et al., 2020).
As Brown, Smith, Jones, and Wilson (2020) stated, more conclusive evidence is still required.
Organization as Author Citations
If the author is an organization or group, such as a government agency or nonprofit, use the shortened or abbreviated name of the group as the author. For the first in-text citation, provide the full name of the organization.
For example:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020), lifestyle changes can reduce risk.
The CDC (2020) recommends exercise and a healthy diet.
No Author or Date Citations
If the work does not have an identifiable author, use the first few words of the reference list entry (usually the title) and the year. Use double quotation marks around the title of an article or chapter, and italicize the title of a periodical, book, brochure or report.
For example:
Research on exercise (“Effects of Daily Workouts”, n.d.).
The study found benefits (The Importance of Diet and Exercise, n.d.).
Citing Specific Parts of a Work
To cite a specific part of a work, indicate the page, chapter, figure, table or equation at the appropriate point in text. Always include page numbers if using a direct quote.
For example:
Smith (2020) found “positive correlations between exercise and mood” (p. 33).
One study showed the potential benefits (Jones, 2019, Chapter 3).
According to the figure, exercise can reduce blood pressure (Brown et al., 2020, Figure 2).
Subsequent Citations
For sources used repeatedly, include the authors’ last names and year of publication for the first citation. On subsequent citations of the same source, use the authors’ last names only unless the year needs to be specified to distinguish between multiple works by the same authors from different years.
For example:
First citation: Research has found various benefits of exercise (Johnson & Smith, 2021).
Later citations: Other studies have agreed (Johnson & Smith).
Later citations with different year: More recent work had similar findings (Johnson & Smith, 2020).
Putting It All Together
The following is an example of an APA formatted research paper with properly implemented in-text citations for various sources:
The Effects of Exercise on Mental Health
Regular physical activity has been shown to benefit mental health and well-being. Early research demonstrated positive links between exercise and mood (Smith, 2020). Smith (2020) conducted a review of previous studies and found compelling evidence that exercise can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Other research studies have supported these findings. According to Johnson and Smith (2021), exercise promotes the release of endorphins in the brain that can elevate mood. Their review concluded there is a strong relationship between regular workouts and lowering stress levels.
The positive effects of exercise extend beyond mood. A large longitudinal study by Brown et al. (2020) examined the relationship between physical activity and cognitive function in older adults. Their results indicated that exercising for at least 30 minutes per day on most days of the week was associated with delayed cognitive decline and a reduced risk of dementia (Brown et al., 2020, Figure 2). Further research is still needed to fully understand the impact of exercise on the brain and mental well-being (Johnson & Smith, 2021, Chapter 5).
Extensive research using a variety of methods has consistently demonstrated that routine physical activity provides notable mental health benefits. Exercise improves mood and decreases symptoms of depression and anxiety. It also shows potential for protecting cognitive abilities as we age. While exercise alone may not cure mental illness, it serves as an important complementary approach for maintaining overall mental fitness and quality of life.
As can be seen in this example, proper in-text citations were included using APA format and style to credit all sources referenced in the body of the paper and allow them to be matched to full citations in the reference list at the end. A variety of citation types were demonstrated including those for sources with one, two, and three or more authors, organizational authors, and citations by page number or chapter. This covers many of the most common citation needs for research papers using APA style. Proper use of in-text citations helps maintain academic integrity and allows readers to easily follow up on cited sources.
Andrew Stroud