Epidemiology is driven by data and usually relies on the collection of information and the analysis and interpretation of that information. Researchers

2020 Success Center

Citation Guide Based on the Publication Manual of the American

Psychological Association—7th Edition

2020 [COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY] 2

Citation Guide – 7th Edition

This document covers certain citation formats addressed in the 7th edition of the

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) but is not a complete guide. Should you have any questions, please contact the CSU Success Center by email at

[email protected] or by phone at (877) 875-0533.

For all rules and requirements of APA, please refer to the 7th edition of the Publication

Manual of the American Psychological Association, which can be purchased through the

American Psychological Association at https://apastyle.apa.org/products/publication-manual-

7th-edition/.

The Writing Center also provides an accompanying tutorial for the CSU Citation

Guide. This tutorial provides further explanation on several APA formatting topics:

Citation Guide Tutorial.

2020 [COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY] 3

Contents

What is APA format and why is it used? ……………………………………………………………………………………… 4

Citing Sources ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5

Citations in In-text ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5

Examples of in-text citations ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6

Example of block quote in-text citation………………………………………………………………………………… 7

Reference List ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7

Examples of reference list entries ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 8

Selecting Appropriate Research Sources ………………………………………………………………………………… 12

Formatting …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12

Document formatting in APA style ………………………………………………………………………………………… 12

Steps for document formatting …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13

Specific formatting steps for documents ………………………………………………………………………………… 16

Library Resources and Services for CSU Students ……………………………………………………………………….. 17

Sample Essay …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18

Sample Research Paper …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 19

References …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20

2020 [COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY] 4

What is APA Format and Why is it Used?

The American Psychological Association is a professional organization representing

psychologists in the United States. APA format is a set of rules developed to assist with writing

and the citing of sources. Following the rules laid out in the Publication Manual helps to

prevent plagiarism and acknowledges the original author of the information used. It is meant

to provide a concise and standardized citation format for written assignments (such as essays,

research papers, and article critiques, among others) and is used for all Columbia Southern

University courses.

In educational institutions, academic integrity is an area of great concern. Academic

integrity refers to being intellectually honest by “avoiding… cheating, plagiarism, self-

plagiarism, and/or poor scholarship” (Columbia Southern University, 2019, p.28). Adhering to

APA guidelines can prevent academic integrity violations (especially plagiarism) by clearly

marking which words and ideas belong to outside sources. Committing an academic integrity

violation of any kind can have serious consequences.

Plagiarism is the act of stealing someone else’s work and passing it off as one’s own. It

can be deliberate or accidental; deliberate plagiarism includes directly copying, summarizing, or

paraphrasing a source without giving credit to the author or putting it in quotation marks. This

type of plagiarism also includes turning in a paper that has been bought, written by another

student, or copied from another source. Accidental plagiarism is when a writer uses another

author’s thoughts or ideas without realizing credit must be provided. This includes working in

groups and submitting the same answers as other students, forgetting to place quotation marks

around a direct quotation, omitting an in-text citation for a summary or a paraphrase, and

omitting an in-text citation for the ideas of another writer. Accidental plagiarism also includes

submitting an assignment that has already been previously submitted in another course.

Unfortunately, both types of plagiarism can result in a failing grade, suspension from the

university, or even expulsion.

There are a few ways APA can help students avoid plagiarism. The primary way to avoid

it is to cite any ideas that are not one’s own. Citations help readers to locate the sources used in

a paper. Citations should not only be used for direct quotes, but they should also be provided

when information is paraphrased or summarized from another author. Paraphrasing a source’s

material is a good way to avoid copying directly from an outside source and possibly being

reprimanded. If any questions or concerns about APA format, please feel free to contact the

CSU Success Center by email at [email protected] or by phone at (877) 875-

0533.

2020 [COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY] 5

Citing Sources

When writing a paper in APA 7th edition style, there are two specific ways to cite the

information that is used: within the text and in the reference list at the end of the paper. Citations are utilized when a phrase, a piece of specific information, or a sequence of sentences

is drawn from an outside source. To meet APA requirements specified for CSU written essay

responses, in-text citations and a reference list must be included if any outside sources are

used. For formal papers, follow all guidelines listed in this handout. For all rules and

requirements of APA, please refer to the 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American

Psychological Association, which can be purchased through the American Psychological

Association at https://apastyle.apa.org/products/publication-manual-7th-edition/.

In-text Citations

• An in-text citation should be used when a phrase, a piece of specific information, or an

idea is drawn from an outside source.

• In-text citations are also required when putting the author’s information in your own

words (paraphrasing).

• Citing helps to prevent plagiarism, and it acknowledges the original author of the

information used. • In-text citations and reference citations must always correspond; each in-text citation

must have a matching reference citation and vice-versa. APA uses the author-year

method of citation.

• It is standard practice for the period at the end of the sentence to be placed after the

last parentheses of the in-text citation. An exception is made if inserting a direct quote

that contains more than 40 words; in this instance, the period is placed directly before

the in-text citation.

Paraphrased Information

When paraphrasing or summarizing a source, provide the author’s last name and year of

publication (separated by a comma). Page and paragraph numbers are not required when you

are paraphrasing information. However, be sure to consult with your faculty member to

determine his or her preference on adding page numbers in citations.

Direct Quotations If utilizing a direct quote, this must be indicated by placing the passage in quotation marks.

Further, the specific page or paragraph number is always required. If there is no page or

paragraph number, as is the case for many electronic sources, provide a section heading or

other label to indicate the passage the quote was borrowed from.

For additional information, please see the Writing Center’s In-text Citations Tutorial.

2020 [COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY] 6

Examples of in-text citations

Reference

Type

Examples of in-text citations

Paraphrased

information from

one author

It has been found … can be concluded (Simpson, 2007).

According to Simpson (2007), … can cause problems.

Other people say… based on Simpson (2007).

Paraphrased

information from

two authors

There are … at this point (Stemmer & Tisdale, 2008).

Stemmer and Tisdale (2008) mention … a set of styles.

This plan will … according to Stemmer and Tisdale (2008).

Paraphrased

information from

three or more authors

When stating…. can be located (Padgett et al., 2004).

Padgett et al. (2004) explain … is further noted.

Direct quotation less

than 40 words

“It is amazing…with confidence” (OSHA, 2010, p. 121).

According to Davis and Dudley (2005), “We are…to save” (para. 5).

“What is lost…come at all” (Ingram et al., 2001, pp. 8-9).

Paraphrased

information with no

author listed

When using data … can be seen (“Title of Document,” 2003).

If information is … was conquered (“Driving and Talking,” 2004).

According to “Leadership Versus Management” (2001), … is an art form.

Information from a

secondary source

It can be found … in Stemmer’s work (as cited in Pratt, 2008).

According to Stemmer’s work (as cited in Pratt, 2008), “…” (p. 65).

**Add the page number if you use a direct quote from Stemmer found in Pratt’s work.

Information via

personal

communication

J. M. Newsome (personal communication, May 30, 2008) expressed …

…of time (V. P. DeLuca, personal communication, November 9, 2007).

**Personal communication should only be listed in the in-text, not on the reference list.

Information found in

classical works

…will have everlasting life (King James Bible, 1769/2017, John 3:16).

…as read in the Bible in John 3:16 (King James Bible, 1769/2017).

2020 [COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY] 7

Direct Quotations of 40 or more words

Block quotations (quotes that contain 40 words or more) are formatted differently, as they

have no quotation marks. In formal writing, block quotations are acceptable, although their use

should not be in excess. While block quotes are accepted in formal writing, the use of them in

essay responses is not encouraged due to the length of the assignment. Block quotations are

indented an additional .5” and double spaced. The period is placed before the citation.

Block Quotation Example

The solutions proposed by a number of advocacy groups underscore this interest in

political and cultural change. A report outlined trends that may have contributed to the

childhood obesity crisis.

This includes food advertising for children as well as a reduction in physical

education classes and after-school athletic programs, an increase in the availability

of sodas and snacks in public schools, the growth in the number of fast-food outlets,

and the increasing number of highly processed high-calorie and high-fat grocery

products. (Kaiser, 2004, pp. 1-2)

Reference List

The reference list is of the utmost importance, as it allows the reader to access the sources cited in the in-text and enables the student writer to give credit where credit is due. For this

reason, the references should contain accurate information, as well as proper punctuation and

spelling. References will follow the conclusion of any APA document. For each reference listed,

there will be at least one corresponding in-text citation in the document. Examples of reference

source formatting can be found on the following pages.

• If there is a digital object identifier (DOI) available, include that in the reference. The DOI

is precisely used to give the reader information about where the document can be

found on the Internet. The DOI is typically located near the copyright notice on the first page of the electronic journal article. In the case that there is no DOI, provide the

homepage URL of the web page where you found the article. (Please note the DOI,

when available, is required in doctoral courses.)

• Multiple citations containing the same author and year should first be listed

chronologically by the specific date (with newer sources being listed first) and then

alphabetically by the title. A lowercase a, b, c, etc. should be placed after the year to distinguish between the entries. This is also used in the in-text citations. For example:

Smith, J. (2013a, March 8). How to groom cats. Garden Press.

Smith, J. (2013b, January 20). How to groom dogs. Garden Press.

For additional information, please see the Writing Center’s References Tutorial.

2020 [COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY] 8

Examples of reference list entries

Reference

List

What to Include Information and Examples

General

Referencing

Information

• When listing the author on the reference list, the

last name should be first, followed by the

author’s first and middle (if applicable) initials.

For example: Smith, J. R.

• References should be placed in alphabetical order

by the first author’s last name, by associates (if

the work is authorized by an organization), or by

anonymous. Anonymous should only be listed as

the author if it is signed as such.

• If a particular person did not create the document

being cited, use the organization that created the

document.

• The document title can be substituted as the

author if no author is provided. In this case, the

first word of the title will dictate the alphabetical

placement (“a,” “an,” and “the” notwithstanding).

• The letters “n.d.” (no date) can be utilized if the

source listed has no listed date. Substitute “n.d.”

where the date would normally go.

For example: Smith, R. T. (n.d.)…

• Professional credentials, such as Ph. D., should

not be used on the reference page.

• References beginning with numerals should be

alphabetized based on the spelling of the numeral

• States should be identified with their two letter

abbreviations, such as AL, MS, and NY.

• Spell out cities and countries outside the United

States.

2020 [COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY] 9

Reference

List

What to Include Information and Examples

Books

• For titles on the reference list, only capitalize the

first word of the title, proper nouns, and the first

word after a colon or dash.

• Book titles should be italicized within the

reference list.

• For eBooks, use the URL of the homepage if they

are not available for public access.

Book

Author(s). (date of

publication). Book

title. Publisher.

eBook

Author(s). (date of

publication). Book

title. Publisher.

Retrieval

information

Book Example:

Morenberg, M. (2014). Doing grammar (5th ed.).

Oxford University Press.

eBook Example:

Thomas, R. L. (2010). Swimming and the effects on

the respiratory system. Random House.

https://amazon.com

Periodicals:

Journals,

magazines,

and

newspaper articles

• For the name of the actual publication the article

appears in (journal, magazine, or newspaper), use

standard title capitalization. Capitalize all words

with the exception of conjunctions, articles, and

short propositions; however, capitalize all words

that have four letters or more.

• Magazine articles, newsletters, and newspaper

articles require the listing of the entire date when

available (month or month and day).

For example: (2001, May) or (2001, May 2)

• Journal articles and books only require the year.

• For journal articles, there is no need to write out

the words volume, issue, p., or pp. The order of

the numbers indicate what they represent.

2020 [COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY] 10

Reference

List

What to Include Information and Examples

Periodicals:

Journals,

magazines,

and newspaper

articles

continued

Author(s). (date of

publication). Article

title. Journal Title, volume (issue), page

numbers.

Retrieval

information.

*Retrieval

information for

online sources can be either a URL or a

DOI. If neither is

available, treat the

journal like a print

source.

Journal Examples:

Clark, L. B. (2019, April). Education as property.

Virginia Law Review, 105(2), 397-424.

Rouw, R., & Erfanian, M. (2018, March). A large-scale

study of misophonia. Journal of Clinical

Psychology, 74(3), 453-479.

https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22500

Smith, J. E. (2003). Addiction and environmental

change. Journal of Personality and Social

Psychology, 66(3), 47-68.

http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/psp/

Websites

• Do not add a period after the retrieval

information (URL or DOI). Otherwise, the

period might be mistaken as part of the URL.

• The URL can either be an active hyperlink

(blue and underlined), or the hyperlink

formatting can be removed.

• To ensure accuracy, always test the URL prior

to submission.

• Italicize the titles of webpages.

Author(s). (date of

publication). Title of

page. Name of

website. Retrieval

information

(including direct

URL)

Website Examples:

Cain, A., & Burris, M. (1999). Investigation of the use

of mobile phones while driving. Center for

Urban Transportation Research.

http://www.cutr.eng.usf.edu/oldpubs

/mobile_phone.pdf