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APA Citation

Citing in APA

When is APA Style used? 

APA citation style is often used for papers in the Social Sciences (e.g. sociology, psychology and criminology). It uses parenthetical or narrative citations for in-text references and a reference list at the end of the paper. Most sources that you quote, paraphrase or summarize are cited: 

  • In the body of your paper with brief In-text Citations
  • In a Reference List Citation at the end with the full information of the source


Quick Guides you can print:

 

7th Edition of the Publication Manual book cover APA Style Citations    
For more information refer to the print copy of the manual, available in the Reference Collection at all campuses, call number BF 76.7 P83 2020. New to APA? Check out our APA Style Citations Pressbook. It is an introduction to APA in-text and reference citation with visuals and practice exercises.     

 

If you have a specific APA citing question, you may also try APA Style Help! 

Why do we need to cite?

When writing a research paper, you must cite the ideas, information, arguments, phrases or any other intellectual or creative output by another person that you borrow. Not to do so is referred to as plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious offense that can have severe academic consequences (see KPU's Policy ST2, Student Academic Integrity Policy) and the related Procedures for Dealing with Academic Integrity Breaches.

 

Common examples of plagiarism

  • Copying sentences, paragraphs, data or visuals without citing their source
  • Quoting material without proper use of quotation marks (even if otherwise cited appropriately)
  • Paraphrasing or summarizing information from a source without acknowledgement
  • Listing a source in the bibliography/reference list that was not cited in the assignment
  • Using ChatGPT or another AI to do the assignment (if not permitted to use AI)
  • Having someone else write the assignment

 

Other reasons why we need to cite 

  • to distinguish previous from new thought
  • to give credit to the person whose ideas you used
  • to respect intellectual property
  • to help a reader locate the source(s) you used
  • to show that you have investigated your topic well
  • to uphold the values of academic integrity

Find out more about Academic Integrity.