Journal articles are a crucial component of academic and professional literature, providing in-depth analysis and research findings on a wide range of topics. When citing these sources, it is essential to follow a consistent format to ensure clarity and credibility. The American Psychological Association (APA) style is one of the most commonly used citation formats, particularly in the social sciences. In this article, we will explore the APA citation style for journal articles, including the basic format, variations for different types of articles, and examples.
Basic APA Citation Format for Journal Articles
The basic APA citation format for a journal article includes the author’s last name, first initial, publication year, article title, journal title, volume number, issue number, and page numbers. The format is as follows: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), pp-pp.
Author Variations
When citing a journal article, it is crucial to consider the number of authors and how they are listed. For articles with one or two authors, list all authors’ last names and initials, separated by commas, with an ampersand (&) before the last author. For articles with three or more authors, list the first author’s last name and initials, followed by “et al.” and the year of publication.
| Number of Authors | Citation Format |
|---|---|
| One Author | Author, A. A. (Year) |
| Two Authors | Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year) |
| Three or More Authors | Author, A. A., et al. (Year) |
Article Title and Journal Title
The article title should be in title case, with major words capitalized, and the journal title should be in title case and italicized. The volume and issue numbers should also be included, with the issue number in parentheses.
Page Numbers
Page numbers are essential for citing specific parts of an article. They should be included at the end of the citation, separated by commas, with “pp” preceding the page range.
DOI and URL
For online articles, a digital object identifier (DOI) or uniform resource locator (URL) should be included at the end of the citation. The DOI is preferred, as it provides a permanent link to the article.
Examples of APA Citations for Journal Articles
Here are some examples of APA citations for journal articles:
Single author: Smith, J. (2020). The impact of social media on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 10(2), pp. 12-20. doi: 10.1037/jps0000146
Two authors: Johnson, K., & Thompson, R. (2019). The effects of exercise on cognitive function. Journal of Sports Science, 8(1), pp. 34-42. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2019.1574733
Three or more authors: Lee, S., Kim, J., et al. (2020). The relationship between sleep and academic performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 12(3), pp. 56-65. doi: 10.1037/edu0000446
Special Cases
There are several special cases to consider when citing journal articles in APA style, such as articles with no author, articles with no date, and articles with a DOI or URL.
Article with no author: (Title of article. (Year). Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), pp-pp.
Article with no date: (Title of article. (n.d.). Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), pp-pp.
Article with a DOI or URL: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), pp-pp. doi:xxxxxxxxxxx or https://xxxxxxxxxxx
What is the basic APA citation format for a journal article?
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The basic APA citation format for a journal article includes the author’s last name, first initial, publication year, article title, journal title, volume number, issue number, and page numbers.
How do I cite a journal article with three or more authors in APA style?
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For articles with three or more authors, list the first author’s last name and initials, followed by “et al.” and the year of publication.
What is the difference between a DOI and a URL in APA citations?
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A DOI (digital object identifier) is a permanent link to an online article, while a URL (uniform resource locator) is a web address that may change over time. APA style prefers the use of DOIs, but URLs can be used if a DOI is not available.
