APA In-Text Citation 3 Authors Example: Everything You Need to Know

What do you mean by APA in-text citation with 3 authors?

In academic writing, it is important to cite your sources to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism. The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used in the social sciences and provides guidelines for formatting citations within the text of your paper. When citing a source with three authors, the APA in-text citation requires you to include the last names of all authors and the publication year.

How to use APA in-text citation with 3 authors?

When using APA in-text citation with three authors, you should include the last names of all authors and the publication year. The names should be listed in the order they appear on the source.

Here’s an example:

According to Johnson, Smith, and Brown (2019), the findings suggest…

If you mention the authors’ names within the sentence, you can omit them from the parenthesis:

Johnson, Smith, and Brown (2019) found that…

If you are citing multiple sources within the same parentheses, separate them with a semicolon:

Several studies (Johnson, Smith, & Brown, 2019; Thompson, Lee, & Davis, 2020) have shown…

What is known about APA in-text citation with 3 authors?

APA in-text citation with three authors allows readers to easily identify the sources you have used in your paper. It helps establish the credibility of your research and provides a way for readers to locate the full reference in the reference list at the end of your document.

Using accurate APA in-text citations also demonstrates your understanding of academic integrity and ethical research practices.

Solution: Properly formatting APA in-text citation with 3 authors

To ensure the accuracy and consistency of your APA in-text citations with three authors, follow these steps:

Identify the authors’ last names and the publication year of the source.
Place the names of all authors in the order they appear on the source.
Enclose the names and publication year in parentheses.
If the authors’ names are mentioned within the sentence, omit them from the parentheses.
If citing multiple sources, separate them with semicolons.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure the accuracy and consistency of your APA in-text citations with three authors.

Additional Information on APA In-Text Citation with 3 Authors

When citing sources with three authors in APA style, it’s important to note the following:

If there are more than three authors, use the first author’s name followed by et al. (e.g., Johnson et al., 2019).
If the publication year is not available for a specific source, use n.d. (no date) instead.
If you are citing a direct quote, include the page number(s) in addition to the author names and publication year (e.g., Johnson, Smith, & Brown, 2019, p. 42).

Conclusion

Accurate and consistent APA in-text citations with three authors are crucial in academic writing. By properly formatting your citations, you demonstrate your understanding of ethical research practices and give credit to the original authors. Remember to include the authors’ last names and publication year in parentheses, either within the sentence or at the end, depending on the context. Following the guidelines and examples provided will help you create reliable and well-formatted APA in-text citations with three authors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use et al. in APA in-text citations with three authors?

No, et al. is used when there are more than three authors. For three authors, include all their last names.

2. What should I do if the publication year is not available?

If the publication year is not available, use n.d. (no date) instead.

3. Do I need to include page numbers in APA in-text citations with three authors for direct quotes?

Yes, when citing a direct quote, include the page number(s) in addition to the authors’ names and publication year.

4. How should I order the authors’ names in the citation?

List the authors’ names in the order they appear on the source.

5. Can I omit the authors’ names from the citation if I mention them within the sentence?

Yes, if you mention the authors’ names within the sentence, you can omit them from the parentheses in the citation.