Hello, I'm an expert in academic writing and citation styles. When it comes to in-text citations, the American Psychological Association (APA) format is one of the most common styles used in the social sciences. Let's dive into the details of how to do an in-text reference using APA format.

### Step 1: Understand the Basics of APA In-Text Citation

The APA format uses the author-date method for in-text citations. This means that you need to include the author's last name and the year of publication within the text, usually in parentheses. The citation should be placed at the point in the text where the information from the source is being used or discussed.

#### Example:
> According to recent studies, the effects of social media on mental health are becoming increasingly evident (Smith, 2019).

### Step 2: Placement of In-Text Citations

In-text citations are placed after the relevant information, quotation, or paraphrased material. They should be placed before any punctuation, such as periods or commas, except for when the citation is part of a sentence that ends with a parenthetical statement.

#### Example:
> (Smith, 2019) has argued that the effects of social media on mental health are significant.

### Step 3: Multiple Authors

When a source has two authors, both last names should be included in the citation. For sources with three to five authors, include all the authors' names in the first citation and then use "et al." for subsequent citations.

#### Examples:
- Two Authors: (Wang & Johnson, 2020)
- Three to Five Authors (First citation): (Doe, Roe, & Poe, 2021)
- Three to Five Authors (Subsequent citations): (Doe et al., 2021)

### Step 4: Multiple Sources in One Citation

If you are citing multiple sources within the same parentheses, list them in alphabetical order, separated by semicolons.

#### Example:
> Several studies have explored the topic (Brown, 2018; Johnson & Lee, 2017; Williams, 2019).

### Step 5: Handling Direct Quotes

When you include a direct quote in your text, include the page number in the citation, preceded by "p." for a single page or "pp." for a range of pages.

#### Example:
> "The influence of social media is pervasive" (Smith, 2019, p. 45).

### Step 6: Paraphrasing and Summarizing

Even when you are not using a direct quote, if you are summarizing or paraphrasing information from a source, you still need to include an in-text citation.

#### Example:
> Smith (2019) discusses the pervasive influence of social media on society.

### Step 7: Electronic Sources

For electronic sources, include the same author-date citation, and if the source is from a website, include the URL or the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) if available.

#### Example:
> (Jones, 1998, retrieved from http://www.example.com)

### Step 8: Reference List

Remember that every in-text citation must correspond to a full citation in the reference list at the end of your document. The reference list provides all the details necessary for a reader to locate the original source.

### Step 9: Consistency

Consistency is key in APA formatting. Ensure that you use the same style and format for all your citations throughout the document.

### Step 10: Review and Edit

Finally, always review and edit your citations to ensure they are accurate and follow the APA guidelines. It's easy to make mistakes, so a thorough review can help maintain the integrity of your academic work.

Using APA format for in-text citations may seem complex at first, but with practice, it becomes a straightforward process that ensures proper credit is given to the original authors and sources.

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APA citation basics. When using APA format, follow the author-date method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the year of publication for the source should appear in the text, for example, (Jones, 1998), and a complete reference should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.Feb 21, 2018read more >>