APA Citation 3 Authors Example

What do you mean by APA Citation?

APA citation refers to the method of citing sources in academic writing using the guidelines established by the American Psychological Association (APA). It is a widely-used citation style in various academic disciplines, including social sciences, psychology, and education.

How to cite a source with 3 authors in APA style?

When citing a source with three authors in APA style, you should include all the authors’ names in the in-text citation and the reference list. The general format for citing a source with three authors is (Author1, Author2, & Author3, Year).

For example, if you are citing a book written by John Smith, Jane Doe, and Mark Johnson published in 2022, the in-text citation should be (Smith, Doe, & Johnson, 2022). In the reference list, the citation will follow the format:

Smith, J., Doe, J., & Johnson, M. (2022). Title of the Book. Publisher.

What is known about APA citation with 3 authors?

APA citation with three authors follows a specific format to provide accurate and consistent citations. It helps to properly credit the authors and allows readers to locate the original sources. By including all authors’ names in the citation, it acknowledges their contributions to the work and avoids plagiarism.

The APA citation style ensures that the information provided in the citation is sufficient for readers to easily find the original source if they wish to explore it further. This includes the names of all authors, the publication year, the title of the work, and other relevant details.

Solution for citing a source with 3 authors in APA style

To create an APA citation for a source with three authors, follow these steps:

Start with the last name of the first author, followed by a comma and their initials. For example, Smith, J.
Include the last name and initials of the second author, separated by an ampersand (&). For example, Doe, J.
Lastly, include the last name and initials of the third author, also separated by an ampersand (&). For example, Johnson, M.
In parentheses, provide the publication year of the source.

The complete in-text citation should look like this: (Smith, Doe, & Johnson, Year).

In the reference list, list the authors’ names in the same order as in the in-text citation. Include the full names of all authors, separated by commas and an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name.
Provide the publication year in parentheses.
Include the title of the work in sentence case and italicized.
Finally, include the publisher’s name.

The complete reference list citation should look like this:

Smith, J., Doe, J., & Johnson, M. (Year). Title of the Book. Publisher.

Additional Information about APA citation with 3 authors

When in doubt, always consult the official APA Publication Manual for the most accurate and up-to-date guidelines on APA citation. It provides detailed instructions on citing various types of sources, including books, articles, websites, and more.

Remember to use proper punctuation, such as commas and ampersands, as well as italics for book titles, in your APA citations. Consistency and accuracy are crucial in creating effective citations.

Furthermore, if a source has more than three authors, you can use the abbreviation et al. after the first author’s name in both the in-text citation and reference list citation. Et al. is derived from the Latin phrase et alia, meaning and others.

Conclusion

APA citation with three authors requires mentioning all authors’ names in both the in-text citation and reference list. Following the correct format ensures proper credit is given to the authors and allows readers to locate the original source. By adhering to the APA citation guidelines, you can maintain academic integrity in your writing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I omit any authors’ names when citing sources with three authors in APA style?

No, it is essential to include the names of all authors in the in-text citation and reference list when citing sources with three authors in APA style. Omitting any author’s name would be considered incorrect and could lead to inaccuracies in referencing.

2. Do I need to include the page number in the in-text citation for a source with three authors?

If you are directly quoting from a source with three authors and including a page number, you should include it in the in-text citation. However, if you are paraphrasing or providing a general reference, you do not need to include the page number.

3. Is there a specific order to list the authors’ names in the in-text citation and reference list?

Yes, the authors’ names should be listed in the order they appear on the source. In the in-text citation, separate the names with commas and an ampersand. In the reference list, list the names in the same order, separated by commas and an ampersand before the last author’s name.

4. Can I use et al. in the in-text citation for a source with three authors?

No, et al. should not be used in the in-text citation for a source with three authors. It is only used when a source has four or more authors. For sources with three authors, always include all authors’ names in the citation.

5. Are there any online tools available to generate APA citations?

Yes, several online tools and citation generators can help you create accurate APA citations. However, it is important to double-check the generated citations for correctness and adherence to the APA guidelines.