Correcting the sources in academic papers is essential to avoid plagiarism and adequately render credit to original authors. Like many other fields, especially in social sciences, The American Psychological Association (APA) format is used for citing books, but particular instructions are involved. In-text citations and a complete reference list at the end of the paper are part of proper citation. In our guide, we will lead you through citing (or referencing) a book in APA format while also noting essential points to make sure you have accuracy and consistency.
How to cite a book in APA Format
The APA 7th Edition citation format for citing a book in the reference list is as follows:
Author(s). (Year). Title of the book. Publisher. DOI (if available)
Each element must play its part in the citation and be formatted consistently according to APA rules. Let us break down each component:
1. Author(s)
Start the entry with the author’s last name and supply initials only. Use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name for multiple authors. When the number of authors exceeds 20, list the first 19, then a comma, an ellipsis (…), and the last author’s name.
2. Year of Publication
After the author’s name, place the year of publication in parentheses. If there is no publication year, write “n.d.” with “no date.”
3. Title of the Book
The book’s title should be italicised, and only the first word in the title, the first word in the subtitle, and proper nouns should be capitalised.
4. Publisher
Give the publisher’s name as printed in the book, but omit unnecessary words, such as ‘Co.’ or ‘Inc.’. List the publisher for books published by the same author and publisher as “Author.”
5. DOI (If Available)
If the book has a DOI (Digital et al.), include it at the end of the ap style citation. If you know the DOI, include it at the end of the citation, as a book can have a DOI. You will usually find DOIs in electronic books or academic texts because they give you a permanent link to the source.
APA Different Types of Books
Single-Author Book
For a book with a single author, the basic format applies as shown above:
Example:
Jones, M. P. (2021). The science of happiness. Sage Publications.
Multiple Authors
In books with multiple authors, list up to 20 authors, separated by commas, preceding the final author with an ampersand.
Example:
1. Taylor, L. K. Johnson & T. Green (2020). Exploring human behavior. Routledge.
Edited Book
For an edited book, include the editors’ initials and last names, and add (Ed.) or (Eds.) for multiple editors.
Example:
Ed. by R. L. Stone & S. Kim (2019). Perspectives of psychology from a cultural view. Oxford University Press.
Chapter in an Edited Book
For a chapter in an edited book, list the author of the chapter, the year, the chapter title, the editor(s), the book title, and the page range of the chapter.
Example:
Martin, D. A. (2021). Adolescents and their emotional intelligence 2.0. Published in R. L. Stone & S. Kim (Eds.), Cultural perspectives in psychology (pp. 125–138). Oxford University Press.
E-Books and Books with DOIs
If the book is an e-book with a DOI, include it at the end of the citation. Moreover, the publisher information for e-books should be included without a DOI.
Example with DOI:
Clark, N. R. (2018). Digital learning and innovation is one. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1000/xyz987
Example without DOI:
Clark, N. R. (2018). Digital learning and innovation. Wiley.
The following comprises in-text citations for books in APA
Full references in the reference list can be found in in-text citations. APA in-text citations generally include the author’s last name and the year of publication. If you directly quoted (or paraphrased) the specific part of the book, then include a page number.
Basic In-Text Citation Format
(Author’s Last Name, Year)
Example:
(Smith, 2022)
For Multiple Authors
Two authors use last names with an ampersand (&).
Example:
(Smith & Brown, 2022)
For three or more authors, reverse and abbreviate the last name of the second conduit after the first author’s name, followed by “et al.”
Example:
(Jones et al., 2021)
For Direct Quotations
For direct quotes or specific information, include a page number.
Example:
(Smith, 2022, p. 45)
APA on Books Mistakes to Avoid
Incorrect Author Formatting:
First and middle names should always be initiated, and the order of names should be correct.
Misplaced Year of Publication:
Put the year right after the author(s) inside parentheses.
Improper Title Capitalisation:
Capitals are used only for the title’s first word, subtitle, and proper nouns.
Forgetting to Italicise Titles:
Labels should always be italicised.
Incomplete In-Text Citations:
In-text citations always include the year and, if quoting, a page number.
APA Book Citations Tips
Use a Citation Tool:
Fortunately, tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or online citation generators can help you format your work correctly.
Refer to the APA Manual:
For more complex citations, check the American Psychological Association Publication Manual (7th ed.).
Double-Check Publisher Information:
If the publisher’s name requires them, use the publisher’s full name as it appears on the title page, without such one as “Inc.” or “Company.”
Use DOIs for E-Books:
If the DOI is given in the e-book, include it at the end of the reference; otherwise, cite it as a print book.
CONCLUSION
If you want to cite books in APA style, you must ensure you have detailed and consistent throughout because this skill is essential for academic writing. Following ethical guidelines apa about books allows you to give proper credit, which ensuring can find the source and helps keep your credibility. Whether editing a single-author book, a chapter in an edited book, or an e-book with a DOI, having the correct APA format on paper is essential to ensure your paper beats academic standards. Using the structure and tips of the given structure, you can make proper book citations in APA style with a well–outlined and professional reference list.
