APA 7 Journal Citation Example
What do you mean by APA 7 journal citation?
When writing academic papers or conducting research, it is essential to cite the sources properly to acknowledge the original authors and avoid plagiarism. APA 7, which stands for the American Psychological Association 7th edition, is one of the most widely used citation styles. APA 7 journal citation refers to the specific format and guidelines for citing journal articles in APA style.
How to cite a journal article in APA 7 format?
Citing a journal article in APA 7 format involves following a specific structure. Here is an example of how to cite a journal article using APA 7 style:

Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Initial. (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, Volume(Issue), Page numbers. DOI or URL
For instance, let’s consider an article titled The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity by John Smith, published in the Journal of Environmental Science in 2021, volume 15, issue 2, and spanning pages 100-120. The DOI for this article is 10.1000/123456789.

The APA 7 citation for this article would be:
Smith, J. (2021). The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity. Journal of Environmental Science, 15(2), 100-120. DOI: 10.1000/123456789
What is known about APA 7 journal citation style?
APA 7 journal citation style is a comprehensive set of rules and guidelines developed by the American Psychological Association. It provides a standardized format for citing various sources, including journal articles, to ensure consistency and clarity in academic writing.
The main components of an APA 7 journal citation include the author’s name, publication year, article title, journal title, volume and issue numbers, page range, and a DOI or URL if available. The citation format may vary slightly depending on the number of authors, specific journal requirements, or online sources.
APA 7 citation style also emphasizes the use of in-text citations, where brief references are provided within the text to indicate the source of information. These in-text citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication.
Solution for citing journal articles in APA 7 format
To ensure accurate and consistent APA 7 journal citations, it is recommended to use citation management tools like EndNote, Mendeley, or Zotero. These tools can help you create and organize your citations, generate reference lists, and even automatically format your citations according to APA 7 guidelines.
Additionally, you can refer to the official APA Publication Manual, which provides detailed instructions on citing various sources, including journal articles. The manual offers examples, explanations, and guidelines for both in-text citations and reference list entries.
Remember to double-check your citations to ensure accuracy and completeness. Mistakes or omissions in citations can lead to plagiarism allegations or the loss of credibility in your research.
Additional information on APA 7 journal citation
In APA 7 journal citations, the author’s name is written in the Last Name, First Initial format. Multiple authors are separated by commas, and an ampersand is used before the last author’s name. If there are more than 20 authors, only the first 19 are listed, followed by an ellipsis (…) and the last author’s name.
The title of the article is written in sentence case, with only the first word and proper nouns capitalized. The title of the journal is written in title case, with each major word capitalized.
The volume number is written in italics, followed by the issue number in parentheses (if applicable). The page numbers are specified using the abbreviation pp.
If the journal article has a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), it should be included in the citation. However, if a DOI is not available, you can include a URL instead.
Conclusion
Citing journal articles in APA 7 format is essential for maintaining academic integrity and giving credit to the original authors. By following the specific guidelines and structure provided by APA 7 style, you can accurately cite journal articles in your research papers and ensure that your work is reliable and trustworthy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use APA 6th edition for journal citations?
Yes, you can still use APA 6th edition for journal citations if required by your institution or publication. However, it is recommended to use the latest edition, APA 7, to stay up-to-date with the most recent guidelines.
2. Are there any differences between APA 6 and APA 7 journal citations?
Yes, there are some differences between APA 6 and APA 7 journal citations. APA 7 introduced changes in the formatting of author names, in-text citations, and the inclusion of DOI or URL for online sources. It is important to familiarize yourself with the specific guidelines of APA 7 for accurate citations.
3. What should I do if a journal article does not have a DOI or URL?
If a journal article does not have a DOI or URL, you can omit this element from the citation. However, it is recommended to make efforts to find a persistent URL or a reliable source for the article to provide complete information to readers.
4. Are there any online tools to generate APA 7 journal citations?
Yes, there are several online tools available to generate APA 7 journal citations, such as citation machines, reference generators, and citation management software. These tools can help you save time and ensure accurate formatting of your citations.
5. Can I use APA 7 for citing other sources besides journal articles?
Yes, APA 7 style is not limited to journal articles. It is also used for citing books, websites, reports, and other sources in academic writing. The specific format may vary slightly depending on the source type, so it is important to consult the APA Publication Manual or reliable online resources for the correct citation format.