What Is APA Format Citation?

APA format helps organize research papers.

APA (American Psychological Association) format is a structured system that organizes
research papers, including the citation of sources in text and in the corresponding
reference list, commonly called a bibliography. Many academic disciplines, particularly
business, nursing and the social and behavioral sciences, require use of APA style,
according to Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL).
History
A group of psychologists, anthropologists and business people devised APA style in 1929,
according to the APA. Their goal was to make scientific literature easier to read by setting up
stylistic standards to guide its creation. As of March 2010, APA style is used across
academia, government and some areas of business to provide clarity and consistency to
research papers.
Purpose
Most students and other writers recognize APA style as a popular way to cite the sources you
use in a research paper. APA style also governs selection and use of headings; punctuation
and abbreviation; presentation of statistics, numbers, tables and figures; spacing and
margin requirements; and other elements that are part of a manuscript. Purdue's OWL
notes that using APA style keeps readers focused on the material by not distracting them
with unconventional formatting.
In-Text Citations
As Purdue's OWL points out, when you borrow information from someone else for use in
your paper, you must document its source. APA style requires you do this in the text of your
paper, as close to the information you are using as possible. In some cases, you will cite the
source at the end of the sentence by listing the author's last name followed by the year of the
work in parenthesis. At other times you will include the citation in the middle of a sentence
or use the author's name as part of your text, as shown below.
Ten percent of the mammals showed signs of improvement (Jones, 1999).
Jones (1999) notes that 10 percent of the mammals showed signs of improvement.
Reference List Citations
Each in-text citation corresponds with a reference that is part of a list at the end of your
paper. The latest edition of the "Publication Manual of the American Psychological
Association" offers complete details on how to construct references for all type of sources,
ranging from traditional mediums, such as books and journals, to electronic resources, such
as movies and websites. How to cite one of the most common sources you will use---a book-
--is illustrated below, as adapted from Purdue's OWL. Note that APA requires you to include
the title of a book in italics in your citation.
Jones, A. A. (1999). Mammals: How They Get By. New York: Random House.
Other APA Guidelines
APA style is wide-ranging. It truly covers "style," beyond the logistic and structural aspects
of a paper. For instance, Purdue's OWL explains that APA style advises against using biased
language when writing about gender, race and sexual orientation. For instance, Purdue
notes that APA suggests limiting the use of gendered pronouns when identifying people in
your work.