Guides: Referencing: Style notes

Style notes | APA6

When citing the same surname for more than one author give their initials in text; e.g.,

"Among studies, we review M. A. Light (2008) and I. Light (2006)."

If the initials are also the same give the authors full name in brackets e.g.

In the reference list	In text
Janet, P. [Paul]. (2007).	(Paul Janet, 2007)
Janet, P. [Percy]. (1979).	(Percy Janet, 1979)

Use the table to determine the correct format depending on the number of authors.

Type of citation	First citation in text	Subsequent citations in text	Bracket format, first citation in text	Bracket format, subsequent citations in text
One author	Walker (2007)	Walker (2007)	(Walker, 2007)	(Walker, 2007)
Two authors	Walker and Allen (2004)	Walker and Allen (2004)	(Walker & Allen, 2004)	(Walker & Allen, 2004)
Three to five authors	Bradley, Ramirez, & Soo (1999)	Bradley et al. (1999)	(Bradley, Ramirez, & Soo, 1999)	(Bradley et al., 1999)
Six or more authors	Wasserstein et al. (2005)	Wasserstein et al. (2005)	(Wasserstein et al., 2005)	(Wasserstein et al., 2005)
Groups	University of Pittsburgh (2005)	University of Pittsburgh (2005)	(University of Pittsburgh, 2005)	(University of Pittsburgh, 2005)
Groups (readily identified by abbreviation)	Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST, 2008)	DEST (2008)	(Department of Education, Science and Training [DEST], 2008)	(DEST, 2008)

Adapted from APA publication manual 6th edition p. 177

use the rule "nothing precedes something"; therefore, Brown, Z. comes before Browning, H.

When the author and the publisher are identical, use the word Author in the place of the publisher (e.g. Canberra, Australia: Author).

12-point type size (never use a larger point size for headings or on the title page)
Use Times or Times New Roman

(do not insert any extra line spaces between paragraphs, or between reference entries)
Use one space after all punctuation.
exceptions – the periods in abbreviations (et al., p.m.) or colons in ratios (10:1)
Space twice after punctuation at end of sentence.

Indent the first line of each paragraph (tab key)
Exceptions: abstract, block quotations, titles and headings, table titles and notes

These apply the hanging indent for the second and subsequent lines
Bailey, S. (2011). Academic writing: A handbook for international students (3rd ed.). Oxford, England: Routledge.

For publishers located in the US give the city and the state abbreviation e.g. Upper Saddle River, N.J.

For publishers outside of the US give the city and country e.g. London, England.

Adapted from APA publication manual 6th edition p. 180