How to Cite Sources Correctly

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A Definitive Guide to Citing Sources in Psychology

Citing sources correctly is a cornerstone of academic writing, particularly in psychology, where research integrity and intellectual honesty are paramount. It’s not just about avoiding plagiarism; it’s about building a credible argument, acknowledging the intellectual contributions of others, and providing a clear trail for your readers to follow. This guide will provide a comprehensive, actionable framework for mastering the art of citation in psychology, focusing on the American Psychological Association (APA) style, the gold standard in the field. We’ll delve into the “why” and “how” of citations, break down the nuances of in-text and reference list entries, and explore practical examples to ensure you’re citing with confidence and accuracy.

Why Correct Citation is Non-Negotiable in Psychology

The foundation of scientific inquiry rests on the principle of building upon existing knowledge. When you cite a source, you are essentially participating in a scholarly conversation. You are telling your readers, “Here’s what others have said on this topic, and here is how my work fits into that discussion.”

  • Establishing Credibility: Proper citations show that you have done your homework. They demonstrate that your arguments are not just personal opinions but are grounded in established research and theory. This is crucial in a field like psychology, where claims must be supported by empirical evidence.

  • Avoiding Plagiarism: Plagiarism, the act of using someone else’s work or ideas without proper attribution, is a serious academic and professional offense. It can lead to severe consequences, from failing a course to expulsion or even a ruined career. Correct citation is your primary defense against unintentional plagiarism.

  • Giving Credit Where It’s Due: Researchers invest countless hours, and often their careers, into their work. Citing their contributions is an act of intellectual honesty and respect. It acknowledges their effort and allows them to receive the recognition they deserve.

  • Enabling Reproducibility and Verification: Scientific progress depends on the ability to replicate and verify findings. By providing a clear and complete reference list, you enable other researchers to easily find the sources you used. They can then review the original studies, scrutinize the methods, and potentially build on those findings in their own work.

The Two Pillars of APA Citation: In-Text Citations and the Reference List

APA style is built on a two-part system that works in tandem: in-text citations within the body of your paper and a comprehensive Reference List at the end.

In-Text Citations: The Snapshot

In-text citations are brief parenthetical notes within your paper that point to a full entry in your reference list. They are typically placed at the end of the sentence where the information is used. They serve as a quick reference for the reader, indicating who the original source is and when the work was published.

The basic format for an in-text citation includes the author’s last name and the year of publication.

  • Example for a Single Author:
    • According to a recent study, social media use can impact self-esteem (Jones, 2023).

    • Jones (2023) found that social media use can have a significant impact on self-esteem.

Notice the difference: if you mention the author’s name in the sentence, the year follows immediately in parentheses. If you don’t mention the author, the parenthetical citation includes both the name and the year.

  • Citing Two Authors:
    • Include both authors’ last names separated by an ampersand (&) inside the parentheses.

    • Research has shown a link between stress and cognitive performance (Smith & Lee, 2021).

    • Smith and Lee (2021) conducted a study on the link between stress and cognitive performance.

  • Citing Three or More Authors:

    • For three or more authors, use the first author’s last name followed by et al. (Latin for “and others”).

    • The study confirmed a correlation between sleep deprivation and anxiety (Chang et al., 2022).

    • Chang et al. (2022) concluded that there is a strong correlation between sleep deprivation and anxiety.

  • Citing Corporate or Group Authors:

    • Use the full name of the organization. If the organization has a well-known abbreviation, you can include it.

    • First citation: (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2020)

    • Subsequent citations: (NIMH, 2020)

  • Citing a Direct Quote:

    • When you use a direct quote, you must include the page number in addition to the author and year. Use “p.” for a single page or “pp.” for multiple pages.

    • The researchers noted that “cognitive dissonance is a powerful motivator for behavioral change” (Garcia, 2019, p. 45).

    • According to Garcia (2019), “cognitive dissonance is a powerful motivator for behavioral change” (p. 45).

  • Citing an Indirect Source (Secondary Source):

    • This is a source that is cited within another source. You should always try to find the original source first. However, if you can’t, use the following format.

    • Miller’s theory on short-term memory capacity was discussed in a meta-analysis (as cited in Brown, 2018).

    • In your reference list, you will only include the source you actually read (Brown, 2018).

  • Citing Multiple Sources in a Single Parenthesis:

    • List the sources alphabetically and separate them with a semicolon.

    • Several studies have explored the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation in reducing stress (Adams, 2021; Chen & Patel, 2019; Williams, 2022).

The Reference List: The Detailed Blueprint

The Reference List, found on a new page at the end of your paper, provides the full bibliographic information for every source cited in your work. Think of it as a comprehensive index of all the intellectual works you’ve drawn upon.

General Formatting Rules

  • Start on a new page. The page should be titled “References” centered at the top.

  • Double-space the entire list.

  • Alphabetize the entries by the last name of the first author. If a work has no author, alphabetize it by the first significant word of the title (e.g., A New Study would be alphabetized under “N”).

  • Use a hanging indent. The first line of each entry should be flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines should be indented by 0.5 inches. This makes the author’s name easy to find.

Essential Components of a Reference Entry

The components of an APA reference entry depend on the type of source, but a general structure exists:

Author(s). (Year). Title of work. Source information.

Let’s break down the most common types of sources in psychology:

Journal Article

This is the most frequent type of source in academic psychology. The format is meticulous and requires specific punctuation and capitalization.

Format: Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of the article. Title of Periodical, volume(issue), page–page. DOI or URL

  • Author(s): List authors by last name, followed by their initials. Use a comma to separate authors. Use an ampersand (&) before the final author’s name.

  • Year: Enclose the year in parentheses, followed by a period.

  • Title of the Article: Capitalize only the first word of the title, the first word of the subtitle (if any), and proper nouns. Do not use quotation marks. End with a period.

  • Title of Periodical: Italicize the journal’s full name. Use title case capitalization (e.g., Journal of Personality and Social Psychology).

  • Volume: Italicize the volume number.

  • (Issue): Include the issue number in parentheses immediately after the volume number. Do not italicize the issue number.

  • Page–page: Provide the full page range of the article.

  • DOI or URL: The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is a unique alphanumeric string that identifies content and provides a persistent link to its location on the internet. Always include the DOI if available. If no DOI, use the URL of the journal’s homepage.

Example:

Cacioppo, J. T., & Petty, R. E. (1982). The need for cognition: Relationship to attitudinal processes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 42(1), 116–131. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.42.1.116

Book

Citing a book is a common practice for foundational theories or broad overviews.

Format: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of work. Publisher.

  • Author(s): Same as above.

  • Year: Same as above.

  • Title of work: Italicize the title. Capitalize only the first word of the title, the first word of the subtitle (if any), and proper nouns.

  • Publisher: Provide the full name of the publisher. Do not include locations.

Example:

Goffman, E. (1959). The presentation of self in everyday life. Anchor Books.

Book Chapter in an Edited Book

Sometimes you’ll cite a specific chapter in a book where different authors wrote different chapters.

Format: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In E. E. Editor (Ed.), Title of book (pp. xx–xx). Publisher.

  • Author(s): The author of the specific chapter.

  • Year: The publication year of the book.

  • Title of chapter: Same capitalization rules as for a journal article title.

  • In E. E. Editor (Ed.): Use the editor’s name with their initials, followed by (Ed.) for one editor or (Eds.) for multiple editors.

  • Title of book: Same as above.

  • (pp. xx–xx): Provide the page range of the chapter in parentheses.

  • Publisher: Same as above.

Example:

Solso, R. L. (1995). The cognitive revolution. In R. L. Solso & R. A. Maclin (Eds.), Cognitive psychology (pp. 3–22). Allyn and Bacon.

Website

Citing a website can be necessary for government reports or organizational information.

Format: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of webpage. Site name. URL

  • Author, A. A.: Use the name of the organization if no individual author is listed.

  • Date: Provide the most specific date available (year, then month and day).

  • Title of webpage: Italicize the title. Capitalize the first word of the title and subtitle, and proper nouns.

  • Site name: The name of the website (e.g., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). This is only included if it is different from the author’s name.

  • URL: The full, direct URL of the page.

Example:

American Psychological Association. (2020, March 19). Trauma and stress management. https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma-stress

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with a clear guide, a few common mistakes can trip up a writer. Recognizing these pitfalls is key to achieving a flawless reference list.

  1. Inconsistent Formatting: One of the most common errors is inconsistent formatting. Ensure every element—italicization, punctuation, capitalization—is exactly as specified by APA style. A single misplaced comma or period can be a signal of carelessness.

  2. Missing Information: The reference entry must be complete. Missing a volume number, an issue number, or a DOI can make it difficult for readers to find the source. Always check your sources and ensure you have all the necessary information before you start writing your references.

  3. Mismatch Between In-Text and Reference List: Every source you cite in your paper must appear in your reference list, and every source in your reference list must have been cited in your paper. These two components must perfectly align.

  4. Incorrect Alphabetization: Remember to alphabetize your reference list by the first author’s last name. Ignoring this rule makes your reference list difficult to navigate.

  5. Using the Wrong Citation Style: While this guide focuses on APA, other disciplines use different styles (e.g., MLA, Chicago). Be absolutely sure that your field of study requires APA. In psychology, it almost always will.

Mastering the Nuances: Beyond the Basics

To truly master APA citation, you must be prepared for a wide variety of source types and unique situations. Here are a few more advanced scenarios you may encounter.

  • Online Newspaper Article:
    • Format: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of the article. Newspaper Name. URL

    • Example: Tausen, H. (2022, November 1). Neuroplasticity: How your brain adapts to change. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/

  • Dissertation or Thesis:

    • Format: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of dissertation/thesis [Type of dissertation/thesis, University]. Database Name.

    • Example: Williams, S. (2020). The impact of mindfulness on attention in undergraduate students [Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of California, Berkeley]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

  • Conference Presentation:

    • Format: Author, A. A. (Year, Month). Title of presentation [Type of presentation]. Conference Name, City, State. URL or DOI

    • Example: Miller, C. (2021, May). The role of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating social anxiety [Paper presentation]. Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

  • YouTube Video:

    • Format: Author, A. A. [Username]. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. URL

    • Example: SciShow Psych. (2018, March 13). The bystander effect: Why we do nothing [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS\_2eU-8tU

  • Social Media Post:

    • Format: Author, A. A. [Username]. (Year, Month Day). Full text of post up to 20 words [Description of attached media, e.g., Photo, Video]. Platform Name. URL

    • Example: American Psychological Association [APA]. (2023, July 28). The psychology of gratitude has a ripple effect… [Image attached]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/americanpsychologicalassociation

Remember to check the latest APA style guide for any changes or new formats. The 7th edition is the most current and is the basis for all the examples provided in this guide.

Conclusion: Your Citation Journey Starts Now

Mastering source citation in psychology is an essential skill that goes far beyond a mere academic requirement. It is an act of intellectual integrity, a demonstration of your command of the literature, and a fundamental building block of credible, compelling research. By meticulously applying the principles of APA style, you not only protect yourself from academic penalties but also contribute to the larger scholarly conversation in a meaningful way.

This guide has laid out the key components of in-text citations and the reference list, provided concrete examples for the most common source types, and highlighted pitfalls to avoid. The journey to flawless citation is one of attention to detail and consistent practice. Embrace the rules, understand the reasoning behind them, and you will be well on your way to writing with clarity, authority, and intellectual honesty.