The APA (American Psychological Association) style is a widely used citation style in social sciences, education, and business. When it comes to referencing an interview in APA style, it is essential to follow the guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. In this article, we will delve into the world of APA reference interviews, exploring the rules, examples, and best practices for citing interviews in APA style.
Understanding APA Reference Interviews
According to the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.), an interview is considered a personal communication and is not included in the reference list. However, if the interview is published or recorded, it can be cited as a source. Personal communications, such as interviews, are cited in-text only, with the interviewer’s name, title, and organization (if applicable) included in the citation.
Types of Interviews
There are several types of interviews that can be referenced in APA style, including:
- Personal interviews: face-to-face or phone conversations with an individual
- Published interviews: interviews published in newspapers, magazines, or online articles
- Recorded interviews: interviews recorded on video, audio, or podcast
Each type of interview requires a specific citation style, which will be discussed in the following sections.
Citing Personal Interviews
When citing a personal interview, include the interviewer’s name, title, and organization (if applicable) in the in-text citation. The citation should be in the format: (Interviewer’s Name, Title, Organization, personal communication, Date of Interview). For example:
(J. Smith, CEO, XYZ Corporation, personal communication, February 10, 2022)
Note that personal interviews are not included in the reference list.
Citing Published Interviews
When citing a published interview, include the interviewer’s name, title, and organization (if applicable), as well as the publication title, date, and page numbers (if applicable). The citation should be in the format: (Interviewer’s Name, Title, Organization, Year, Month Day of Publication, Page Numbers). For example:
(Johnson, K. (2022, February 10). An interview with John Doe. The New York Times, pp. A1-A3)
The reference list entry should include the publication title, date, and page numbers (if applicable).
Citing Recorded Interviews
When citing a recorded interview, include the interviewer’s name, title, and organization (if applicable), as well as the title of the recording, date, and medium (e.g., video, audio, podcast). The citation should be in the format: (Interviewer’s Name, Title, Organization, Year, Month Day of Publication, Title of Recording, Medium). For example:
(Williams, P. (2022, February 10). An interview with Jane Doe [Video]. The TED Talk)
The reference list entry should include the title of the recording, date, and medium.
| Interview Type | In-Text Citation | Reference List Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Interview | (Interviewer's Name, Title, Organization, personal communication, Date of Interview) | Not included |
| Published Interview | (Interviewer's Name, Title, Organization, Year, Month Day of Publication, Page Numbers) | Publication Title, Date, Page Numbers |
| Recorded Interview | (Interviewer's Name, Title, Organization, Year, Month Day of Publication, Title of Recording, Medium) | Title of Recording, Date, Medium |
Best Practices for APA Reference Interviews
To ensure accuracy and consistency when referencing interviews in APA style, follow these best practices:
- Use the correct citation style for the type of interview (personal, published, or recorded)
- Include the interviewer’s name, title, and organization (if applicable) in the in-text citation
- Use the correct format for the reference list entry (if applicable)
- Verify the accuracy of the citation information
By following these guidelines and best practices, you can ensure that your APA reference interviews are accurate, consistent, and compliant with the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.).
What is the difference between a personal interview and a published interview in APA style?
+A personal interview is a face-to-face or phone conversation with an individual, while a published interview is an interview published in a newspaper, magazine, or online article. The citation style and reference list entry differ between the two types of interviews.
How do I cite a recorded interview in APA style?
+To cite a recorded interview in APA style, include the interviewer’s name, title, and organization (if applicable), as well as the title of the recording, date, and medium (e.g., video, audio, podcast). The citation should be in the format: (Interviewer’s Name, Title, Organization, Year, Month Day of Publication, Title of Recording, Medium).
Do I need to include the interviewer’s name in the in-text citation for a personal interview?
+Yes, you should include the interviewer’s name, title, and organization (if applicable) in the in-text citation for a personal interview. The citation should be in the format: (Interviewer’s Name, Title, Organization, personal communication, Date of Interview).
