Understanding APSA Citation
The American Political Science Association (APSA) citation style is the standard for political science research. It's designed for clarity and precision, helping readers easily find and verify your sources. While it shares some similarities with other styles like Chicago, APSA has its own unique rules for both in-text citations and the bibliography.
Why APSA?
Political science relies heavily on rigorous argumentation supported by evidence. A consistent citation style ensures that your readers can follow your logic, assess the credibility of your sources, and engage with your research effectively. It’s about building trust and demonstrating academic integrity.
Key Components of APSA Citation
APSA citation involves two main parts:
- In-Text Citations: These appear directly in your text, usually in parentheses, to indicate the source of a specific piece of information.
- Bibliography: This is a complete list of all the sources you cited in your paper, presented alphabetically at the end.
Crafting Accurate In-Text Citations
APSA uses a system of parenthetical citations, which typically include the author's last name and the year of publication. Page numbers are also crucial for direct quotes and specific references.
Basic Structure
The most common format is:
(Author's Last Name Year, Page Number)
Example: According to Smith, the policy had a significant impact (Smith 2020, 45).
Variations and Specifics
- Multiple Authors:
Two Authors: Use both last names connected by "and." (Jones and Miller 2018, 112) Three or More Authors: Use the first author's last name followed by "et al." (Davis et al. 2019, 78)
- No Author: If a work has no named author, use a shortened version of the title in italics.
(Theories of Democracy* 2021, 3)
- Organization as Author: Use the name of the organization.
* (United Nations 2017, 15)
- Direct Quotes: Always include the page number.
* "The election results were unexpected" (Brown 2022, 99).
- Paraphrasing: While page numbers aren't always mandatory for paraphrased information, they are highly recommended. It helps readers pinpoint the exact location of the idea.
* The study suggested a correlation between economic growth and voter turnout (Chen 2021).
Building Your Bibliography
The bibliography is your comprehensive list of sources. It needs to be formatted precisely to give readers all the necessary information to locate your sources. Each entry contains details about the author, title, publication information, and more.
General Principles
- Entries are alphabetized by the author's last name.
- Use a hanging indent for each entry (the first line is flush left, subsequent lines are indented).
- Pay close attention to punctuation, capitalization, and the order of information.
Common Source Types and Their Formatting
Here are examples for frequently used sources:
Books
- Single Author:
Author's Last Name, First Name. Year. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher.
Example: Pierson, Paul. 2004. Politics in Time: History, Institutions, and Historical Change. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
- Edited Book:
Editor's Last Name, First Name, ed. Year. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher.
Example: King, Gary, and David Epstein, eds. 2012. The Handbook of Formal Political Theory. New York: Oxford University Press.
Journal Articles
- Print Journal:
Author's Last Name, First Name. Year. "Title of Article." Title of Journal Volume, no. Issue (Month): Page numbers.
Example: Schattschneider, E. E. 1964. "Political<bos>." American Political Science Review 58, no. 4 (December): 912-922.
- Online Journal Article (with DOI):
Author's Last Name, First Name. Year. "Title of Article." Title of Journal Volume, no. Issue (Month): Page numbers. doi:XX.XXXX/XXXXXX.
Example: Acemoglu, Daron, and James A. Robinson. 2012. "Beyond Institutions." Journal of Economic Perspectives 26, no. 3 (Summer): 3-22. doi:10.1257/JEP.26.3.3.
- Online Journal Article (no DOI, accessed online):
Author's Last Name, First Name. Year. "Title of Article." Title of Journal Volume, no. Issue (Month): Page numbers. Accessed Date. URL.
Example: Fukuyama, Francis. 2018. "The End of History and the Present Times: Thirty Years Later." The National Interest, September 28. Accessed October 26, 2023. https://www.thenation.com/article/the-end-of-history-and-the-present-times-thirty-years-later/.
Websites and Online Sources
- Web Page:
Author's Last Name, First Name (or Organization). Year (or n.d. if no date). "Title of Web Page." Name of Website. Date of Publication (if different). Accessed Date. URL.
Example: World Bank. 2023. "Global Economic Prospects." World Bank Blogs. October 25. Accessed October 26, 2023. https://blogs.worldbank.org/economic/global-economic-prospects.
- Report from an Organization:
Organization Name. Year. Title of Report. Report Number (if applicable). URL.
Example: International Crisis Group. 2022. Preventing Conflict in the Sahel. https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/west-africa/sahel/preventing-conflict-sahel.
Tips for Consistency
- Use a Citation Manager: Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote can help you organize your sources and generate bibliographies in APSA style.
- Consult the Official Guide: For the most authoritative and detailed information, always refer to the latest edition of the APSA Style Manual for Political Science.
- Proofread Meticulously: Small errors in punctuation or formatting can detract from the professionalism of your work.
Getting APSA citation right can feel daunting at first, but with practice and attention to detail, you'll master it. If you’re looking for expert assistance with ensuring your citations are perfect or need help polishing your entire paper, services like EssayGazebo.com offer professional writing and editing to support your academic success.