Social Work: APA In-Text

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When you are using works or thoughts that are not your own you must cite the source. This is done both in the reference list at the end of your paper as well as throughout the body of the paper itself. When citing information in the body of the paper you use an in-text citation. In-text citations are formatted differently than citations for your reference list.

Information on how to correctly format in-text citations using APA style can be found on pages 174-179 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 

While you are in the process of learning all the ins and outs of the APA style in-text citations may be overwhelming. We suggest practicing with some of these basic sentences until you are comfortable. 

• In his/her/their article, ___________ (Year), concluded that ____________ (p. #).
   
• According to ____________ (Year), ___________________ (p. #).
   
• _________ found that ___________ (Year, p. #).
   
• “Insert an actual quote here” (Last Name, Year, p. #). 

Here is an exact excerpt from an article:

“Seventy-four percent of all dependent adult abuse reports that were investigated in fiscal year 2006-2007 in Hawaiʻi involved a victim age 60 or older. Sixty-one percent involved a victim aged 70 or older. Forty-four percent involved a victim age 80 or older. This indicates that elder individuals in Hawaiʻi are more frequent targets for abuse, neglect, and exploitation than younger adults. Accordingly it would seem that this age group is more vulnerable to abuse and neglect and is in greater need of protection (p. 42).”

This is the APA citation for the article:

Coke, M., & State of Hawaii. (2007). A survey of adult protective services and elder abuse in Hawaii and nationwide. Honolulu, Hawaii: Legislative Reference Bureau.

Letʻs create some in-text citations using the template sentences and the information quoted above. Do not underline in the body of your paper, this is used to illustrate the point(s) here.

• In his/her/their article, ___________ (year) reported that ____________ (p. #).
  
  
  • In their article, Coke and the State of Hawaiʻi (2007) reported that adults over the age of 70 require more protection than those of a younger age  (p. 42).
     
• According to ____________ (year), ___________________ (p. #).
   
  • According to Coke and the State of Hawaiʻi (2007), adults over the age of 70 need more protection than those of a younger age (p. 42).
• _________ found that ___________ (year, p. #).
   
  • Coke and the State of Hawaiʻi found that "of the reported cases of dependent adult abuse in FY 2006-2007, 74% involved an individual over the age of 60" (2007, p. 42).
     

• “Insert an actual quote here” (Last Name, Year, p. #).
   
  • “Seventy-four percent of all dependent adult abuse reports that were investigated in fiscal year 2006-2007 in Hawaii involved a victim age 60 or older" (Coke and State of Hawaiʻi, 2007, p. 42).