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APSA Citation Style: The Ultimate Guide to Success

Navigating the world of academic writing requires mastering various citation styles, and for political science and related disciplines, the APSA citation style is a cornerstone. This guide provides a comprehensive overview, offering clarity and practical examples to ensure your research papers adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity and presentation. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or a student just beginning your academic journey, understanding APSA citation style is crucial for effectively communicating your ideas and giving due credit to the intellectual property of others.

What is APSA Citation Style?

The American Political Science Association (APSA) developed its citation style to provide a consistent and standardized method for referencing sources in academic papers, particularly in the fields of political science, public policy, and related social sciences. This citation style emphasizes clarity and ease of use, allowing readers to quickly identify the source of information and verify the research upon which the argument is built. The APSA citation style prioritizes author-date referencing within the text of the paper, supplemented by a comprehensive list of references at the end.

This guide aims to provide complete help with APSA citation style, covering everything from in-text citations to constructing the reference list. By understanding and applying these principles, you can ensure your work is accurate, credible, and effectively contributes to the academic discourse.

Key Components of APSA Citation

APSA citation style relies on two primary components: in-text citations and a reference list.

  • In-Text Citations: These brief citations appear within the body of your paper and point the reader to the complete source information in the reference list. They typically include the author’s last name, the year of publication, and, when citing a specific passage, the page number(s).
  • Reference List: This is a comprehensive list of all the sources cited in your paper. It appears at the end of your document and provides full bibliographic details for each source, allowing readers to locate and consult the original materials.

In-Text Citations: Giving Credit Where It’s Due

In-text citations are the workhorses of APSA citation style, providing immediate attribution for borrowed ideas and data.

Basic Format: The most common format for an in-text citation is (Author’s Last Name, Year, Page Number).

  • Example: (Smith, 2023, p. 45)

Variations:

  • Single Author: (Smith, 2023)
  • Two Authors: (Smith & Jones, 2023)
  • Three or More Authors: (Smith et al., 2023) – et al. is an abbreviation for et alia, meaning “and others.”
  • Organization as Author: (American Political Science Association, 2020)
  • No Author: If no author is listed, use the title of the work (shortened if necessary) in quotation marks, followed by the year. (“Title of Work,” 2023)
  • Citing a Specific Page or Pages: (Smith, 2023, pp. 45-48)
  • Citing a Specific Paragraph: (Smith, 2023, para. 2)
  • Multiple Works by the Same Author in the Same Year: Use lowercase letters to distinguish them. (Smith, 2023a), (Smith, 2023b)
  • Citing Indirect Sources: When citing a source that is quoted in another source, use “as cited in.” (Jones, as cited in Smith, 2023) – Note: You should only do this when you cannot find the original source. In the reference list, you would only include Smith (the source you actually read).

Placement: In-text citations should be placed as close as possible to the material they reference. This usually means placing them at the end of the sentence or clause containing the borrowed information.

Example Scenarios:

  • Direct Quote: “Political participation is essential for a healthy democracy” (Smith, 2023, p. 12).
  • Paraphrase: Smith (2023) argues that a strong democracy depends on the active participation of its citizens.
  • Incorporating Author’s Name into the Sentence: According to Jones and Brown (2022), the electoral system significantly influences voter turnout.

The Reference List: Providing Full Bibliographic Information

The reference list is a crucial component of the APSA citation style. It provides a complete record of all the sources you used in your research, allowing readers to verify your claims and explore the topic further.

General Guidelines:

  • Placement: The reference list appears at the end of your paper, on a separate page.
  • Title: The title of the page should be “References” (centered).
  • Alphabetical Order: Entries are listed alphabetically by the author’s last name.
  • Hanging Indent: Each entry should have a hanging indent (the first line is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented).
  • Spacing: Use double spacing throughout the reference list.

Common Source Types and Their Formats:

  • Book:
    • Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.
    • Example: Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Simon & Schuster.
  • Journal Article:
    • Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Journal Title, Volume(Issue), Page numbers. DOI or URL if available.
    • Example: Inglehart, R., & Welzel, C. (2005). Modernization, cultural change, and democracy: The human development sequence. World Values Survey, 1(1), 1-87. doi:10.1000/182
  • Edited Book Chapter:
    • Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In A. Editor & B. Editor (Eds.), Title of book (pp. Page numbers). Publisher.
    • Example: Almond, G. A., & Verba, S. (1963). Civic culture and political development. In L. W. Pye & S. Verba (Eds.), Political culture and political development (pp. 47-64). Princeton University Press.
  • Website:
  • Government Document:
    • Agency. (Year). Title of report. URL
    • Example: U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2022). Federal disaster assistance: Continued federal attention needed to address management challenges. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-104709

Important Considerations:

  • DOI vs. URL: If a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is available, include it in the reference. DOIs are preferred because they provide a stable and persistent link to the source. If no DOI is available, provide the URL.
  • Retrieved From: Avoid using “Retrieved from” before a URL unless the source material is likely to change over time (e.g., a blog post).
  • Missing Information: If information is missing (e.g., date, author), do your best to locate it. If it’s truly unavailable, use abbreviations like “n.d.” (no date) or “n.a.” (no author).

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using APSA Citation Style

  • Inconsistent Citation Format: Maintaining consistency in your citations is crucial. Ensure you are following the APSA style guidelines for every source.
  • Missing Citations: Failing to cite sources properly is plagiarism. Always give credit where credit is due.
  • Incorrect Page Numbers: Double-check that you are providing the correct page numbers in your in-text citations.
  • Errors in the Reference List: Proofread your reference list carefully for typos, incorrect dates, and other errors.
  • Not Following Alphabetical Order: Ensure your reference list is correctly alphabetized by the author’s last name.
  • Using an Old Edition: Stay up-to-date with the latest edition of the APSA Style Manual to ensure you are following the most current guidelines.

Tools and Resources for Mastering APSA Citation Style

Several resources can assist you in mastering the APSA citation style:

  • The APSA Style Manual: This is the official guide to the APSA citation style. It provides detailed explanations and examples for a wide range of source types.
  • Citation Management Software: Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote can help you organize your sources and generate citations and reference lists automatically. However, always double-check the output to ensure accuracy.
  • University Writing Centers: Most universities offer writing centers that provide assistance with citation styles and other writing-related issues.
  • Online Citation Generators: While convenient, online citation generators should be used with caution. Always verify the accuracy of the generated citations against the APSA Style Manual.

The Bottom Line

Mastering the APSA citation style is an essential skill for anyone working in political science or related fields. By understanding the principles of in-text citation and reference list construction, you can ensure that your work is accurate, credible, and effectively communicates your research findings. Remember to consult the APSA Style Manual for the most authoritative guidance and to double-check your citations for accuracy. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to mastering APSA citation and producing high-quality academic work. Consistent application of APSA citation style will enhance the credibility and professionalism of your research.

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