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apa citation guide group authors website mentions
Concise Guide to APA Style: 7th Edition (OFFICIAL)
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Unveiling the Nuances of APA Citations: A Deep Dive into Group Authors and Website Mentions
This excerpt from a guide on academic writing delves into the specifics of using the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style, particularly focusing on how to handle group authors and mentions of websites, periodicals, and common software.
Let’s dissect the key elements presented.
Navigating Group Authors in APA Style
The document emphasizes clarity and consistency when citing works by group authors.
The core principle revolves around introducing abbreviations strategically. “As with other abbreviations (see Section 5.13), provide the full name of the group on first mention in the text, followed by the abbreviation.” This approach ensures readers understand which entity the abbreviation refers to.
Consider this example: “The American Psychological Association (APA, 2017) described . . .” Here, the full name is presented first, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses along with the year.
This sets the stage for subsequent citations using the abbreviation only.
Conversely, if the group name appears in a parenthetical citation, the abbreviation is enclosed in square brackets: “(American Psychological Association [APA], 2017)”
The guide explicitly states, “In the reference list entry, do not abbreviate the group author name.
Instead, spell out the full name of the group as presented in the source.” This maintains formality and prevents ambiguity in the reference section.
The text further addresses scenarios where multiple references share the same group author. “If several references have the same group author, introduce the abbreviation only once in the text.” This principle underscores efficiency and avoids unnecessary repetition.
However, a crucial caveat is introduced for instances where different groups share the same abbreviation. “In the rare case that two different groups abbreviate to the same form (e.g., both the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association abbreviate to ‘APA’) and you cite both groups in your paper, spell out each name every time to avoid confusion.” This rule highlights the paramount importance of clarity in academic writing.
Website Mentions and Their Citation Requirements
The second part of the excerpt tackles the handling of website mentions. “For a general mention of a website with no indication of particular information or a specific page from that site, no reference list entry or in-text citation is needed.” This is a practical and time-saving guideline.
For instance, “Provide the name of the website in the text and include the URL in parentheses.
For example, if you used a website to create a survey, mention the website in the text.” This ensures readers can easily access the website if they desire without cluttering the reference list with unnecessary entries.
Key Takeaways and Practical Implications
* **Abbreviations for Group Authors:** Introduce abbreviations strategically and consistently to avoid redundancy. “The American Psychological Association (APA, 2017) described . . .” vs. “(American Psychological Association [APA], 2017)”
* **Full Names in References:** Always use the full name of the group author in the reference list, mirroring the source. “American Psychological Association. (2017, January).
Understanding and over- coming opioid abuse. https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/opioid-abuse.aspx”
* **Avoiding Ambiguity:** Spell out group names entirely if multiple groups share the same abbreviation.
* **General Website Mentions:** No need for formal citations for general website mentions; include the name and URL directly in the text.
In summary, this excerpt provides a concise yet comprehensive guide to navigating the complexities of APA citations, specifically concerning group authors and website mentions.
By adhering to these guidelines, writers can ensure accuracy, clarity, and professionalism in their academic work.
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