Can you please tell me when following the APA citation format what do you put if there is not an author shown? I thought from another class we wrote Unknown, but my current teacher wrote not to do that.Can I not use that reference then?
I had to look this one up. I wasn't sure myself.
Unknown author. Use the first few words of the title as the reference in the text (capitalize all words in title):
("Structuring Lawmaking", 2002)
Author is listed as "Anonymous". Use it as if it were the author's name.
(Anonymous, 2003)
Source: http://library.williams.edu/citing/styles/apa.php
When following the APA citation format, if there is no author shown for a source, you do not automatically write "Unknown" as you may have learned previously. Instead, you should use the title of the source in place of the author's name. Here's how you would format it:
For an in-text citation:
- If the title is short, you can put the title in quotation marks and include it in the sentence or in parentheses along with the year of publication. For example: ("Title of Article," Year).
- If the title is long, you can italicize it and include it in the sentence or in parentheses along with the year. For example: (Title of Book, Year).
For the reference list:
- Start with the title of the source (in italics or quotation marks, depending on the type of source).
- Then provide the year of publication.
- After that, include any other relevant information you would typically include in the reference entry (e.g., publication information for a book, URL for a web page).
In regards to using a reference with no author, it is generally acceptable to use such sources in your research as long as they meet other criteria for reliability and relevance. However, do check with your current teacher for any specific instructions or preferences they may have regarding the use of sources without authors.
Remember, inconsistencies between different instructors may exist, so it's crucial to follow the guidance provided by your current teacher for this particular class.