Multiple Sources Cited in the Same Sentence

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 61 views

Understanding In-Text Citations in APA Style

In APA (American Psychological Association) style, in-text citations are an essential component of academic writing. They provide a way to credit the original authors of ideas, research, and data, and to allow readers to locate the sources cited in the reference list. In this article, we will explore the basics of in-text citations in APA style, including the format, placement, and examples.

What is an In-Text Citation?

An in-text citation is a brief reference to a source within the text of a paper or article. It typically includes the author's last name and the year of publication, and is used to credit the original author of the idea or research being cited.

The Format of an In-Text Citation

In APA style, an in-text citation should include the author's last name and the year of publication. The format is as follows:

For a single author, the format is: (Author's Last Name, Year)
For multiple authors, the format is: (Author's Last Name, Author's Last Name, Year)
For three or more authors, the format is: (Author's Last Name et al., Year)

Examples of In-Text Citations

Here are some examples of in-text citations in APA style:

Single author: (Smith, 2020)
Multiple authors: (Smith, Johnson, & Williams, 2020)
Three or more authors: (Smith et al., 2020)
No author: ("Title of Article," 2020)

Placement of In-Text Citations

In-text citations should be placed in the text of the paper or article, usually at the end of a sentence or quotation. They should be placed in parentheses, and should not be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma.

Examples of Placement

Here are some examples of in-text citations in different placements:

At the end of a sentence: The study found that (Smith, 2020) was a significant factor in the outcome.
In the middle of a sentence: The study, which was conducted by (Smith, 2020), found that...
At the end of a quotation: "The results were surprising," (Smith, 2020) noted.

Author's Last Name and Year of Publication

In APA style, the author's last name and year of publication are the most important components of an in-text citation. The author's first name and middle initial are not included in the citation.

Year of Publication

The year of publication is an essential component of an in-text citation. It should be included in the citation, even if the source is a classic or a historical work.

Multiple Sources Cited in the Same Sentence

When multiple sources are cited in the same sentence, they should be separated by commas. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name, Year), (Author's Last Name, Year)

Examples of Multiple Sources

Here are some examples of multiple sources cited in the same sentence:

(Smith, 2020), (Johnson, 2019)
(Smith et al., 2020), (Johnson, 2019)
(Smith, 2020), ("Title of Article," 2020)

In-Text Citations for Direct Quotes

When a direct quote is included in the text, the in-text citation should be placed at the end of the quotation. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name, Year)

Examples of Direct Quotes

Here are some examples of direct quotes with in-text citations:

"The results were surprising," (Smith, 2020) noted.
"The study found that (Smith, 2020) was a significant factor in the outcome."

In-Text Citations for Paraphrased Material

When paraphrased material is included in the text, the in-text citation should be placed at the end of the sentence. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name, Year)

Examples of Paraphrased Material

Here are some examples of paraphrased material with in-text citations:

The study found that (Smith, 2020) was a significant factor in the outcome.
The results of the study (Smith, 2020) were surprising.

In-Text Citations for Multiple Works by the Same Author

When multiple works by the same author are cited in the same paper or article, the in-text citation should include the author's last name and the year of publication. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name, Year)

Examples of Multiple Works

Here are some examples of multiple works by the same author:

(Smith, 2020), (Smith, 2019)
(Smith et al., 2020), (Smith, 2019)

In-Text Citations for Works with No Author

When a work has no author, the in-text citation should include the title of the work and the year of publication. The format is as follows:

("Title of Article," Year)

Examples of Works with No Author

Here are some examples of works with no author:

("Title of Article," 2020)
("Title of Book," 2019)

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions About In-Text Citations in APA Style

In-text citations are a crucial component of academic writing in APA style. However, many writers may have questions about how to format and use in-text citations correctly. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about in-text citations in APA style.

Q: What is the purpose of an in-text citation?

A: The purpose of an in-text citation is to credit the original author of an idea, research, or data, and to allow readers to locate the sources cited in the reference list.

Q: What is the format of an in-text citation in APA style?

A: The format of an in-text citation in APA style is as follows:

For a single author, the format is: (Author's Last Name, Year)
For multiple authors, the format is: (Author's Last Name, Author's Last Name, Year)
For three or more authors, the format is: (Author's Last Name et al., Year)

Q: How do I format an in-text citation for a direct quote?

A: When a direct quote is included in the text, the in-text citation should be placed at the end of the quotation. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name, Year)

Q: How do I format an in-text citation for paraphrased material?

A: When paraphrased material is included in the text, the in-text citation should be placed at the end of the sentence. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name, Year)

Q: What if I have multiple sources cited in the same sentence?

A: When multiple sources are cited in the same sentence, they should be separated by commas. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name, Year), (Author's Last Name, Year)

Q: How do I format an in-text citation for a work with no author?

A: When a work has no author, the in-text citation should include the title of the work and the year of publication. The format is as follows:

("Title of Article," Year)

Q: What if I have multiple works by the same author cited in the same paper or article?

A: When multiple works by the same author are cited in the same paper or article, the in-text citation should include the author's last name and the year of publication. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name, Year)

Q: Can I use a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) in an in-text citation?

A: Yes, you can use a DOI in an in-text citation. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name, Year, doi: XXXXXXXXXX)

Q: How do I format an in-text citation for a source with multiple authors?

A: When a source has multiple authors, the in-text citation should include the author's last name and the year of publication. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name, Author's Last Name, Year)

Q: What if I have a source with three or more authors?

A: When a source has three or more authors, the in-text citation should include the author's last name and the year of publication. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name et al., Year)

Q: Can I use a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) in an in-text citation?

A: Yes, you can use a URL in an in-text citation. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name, Year, URL: XXXXXXXXXX)

Q: How do I format an in-text citation for a source with no date?

A: When a source has no date, the in-text citation should include the author's last name and the title of the work. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name, "Title of Work")

Q: What if I have a source with multiple volumes?

A: When a source has multiple volumes, the in-text citation should include the author's last name, the year of publication, and the volume number. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name, Year, Vol. X)

Q: Can I use a page number in an in-text citation?

A: Yes, you can use a page number in an in-text citation. The format is as follows:

(Author's Last Name, Year, p. X)

Conclusion

In-text citations are a crucial component of academic writing in APA style. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, writers can ensure that their in-text citations are accurate and consistent, and that their papers or articles are properly formatted and cited.