Citing Sources within Your Paper

This guide is to help you cite sources within the text of your paper. You still need a properly formatted list of References. It is the responsibility of the student to accurately and consistently follow a citation style. When in doubt, refer to the appropriate style manual, ask an instructor or librarian, or make an appointment at the Writing Center.

Refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (Library copies LB2369 .P83 2001) for additional information on style and format.

APA Style

Every time you cite a source, include at least 2 pieces of information:

  1. the last name(s) of the author(s)
  2. the year of publication

For direct quotations and some paraphrases, a page number is given as well.

Examples of in-text citations:
One author

Mason (1999) has extensively analyzed the relationship between home ownership and ethnicity.

Studies of mortgage brokers indicate minorities are consistently denied loans (Luna, 2000).

 
More than one author

Lopez, Velez, and Carr (1994) demonstrated the success of bilingual education with immigrant children in elementary education.

English immersion in the classroom is “the most effective method” for ESL students (Smith & Hunt, 2003, p. 68).

Frugen, Kaplan, Metzger, and Busch (1994) explore the question, “Does darkness of skin color correlate with lower income?”  The first time you cite a source with 3 or more authors, list ALL authors.  In later references, use “et al.” which means “and others” – (Frugen et al., 1994)

 
No author

According to Trends in Higher Education (2003), there were more black students enrolled in 2002 than the previous years.  Use the title of the source if there is no author listed.

 
Multiple sources

Asian Americans continue to challenge the myth of model minority (Lee, 1997; Shackell, 200; Short, 2004).  List multiple sources in alphabetical order.

 
Interviews

Dr. G. Bartlett, Palomar College, has indicated why ethnic studies research is critical to the well-being of San Diego (personal communication, February 18, 2004).  For interview, letters, or email, give last name and initials of the author and exact date of communication.

 
Direct quote

“Overcrowding, a condition of several people per room, is prevalent in immigrant homes” throughout Southern California (Vedder, 2001, p. 45).  Use page # with direct quote (not paraphrasing).

 
Website

Italian Americans have lived and worked in San Diego’s Little Italy since the 1920s (http://www.littleitalysd.com).