If you’re writing an academic paper, you may need to cite a case study. But how do you do that? This guide will explain everything you need to know about citing a case study in APA format.
What is APA?
APA stands for American Psychological Association. It is a style guide used by many academic disciplines, including psychology, sociology, and business. The purpose of the APA style is to provide a consistent format for academic writing, making it easier for readers to understand and follow the author’s argument.
Why is it important to cite a case study?
Citing a case study is important for several reasons. First, it gives credit to the original author for their work. Second, it allows readers to find the source if they want to learn more. Finally, it adds credibility to your work by demonstrating that you have researched and referenced other relevant studies.
How to cite a case study in APA format
Here are the steps you need to follow to cite a case study in APA format:
Step 1: Start with the author’s last name and first initial.
The first step in citing a case study is to list the author’s last name and first initial. For example Smith, J.
Step 2: Include the year of publication in parentheses.
Next, you need to include the year of publication in parentheses. For example: (2018).
Step 3: Provide the title of the case study in italics.
After the year of publication, you need to provide the title of the case study in italics. For example The impact of social media on adolescent mental health.
Step 4: Add the name of the publisher.
The next step is to add the name of the publisher. For example Harvard Business Review Press.
Step 5: Include the DOI or URL.
Finally, you need to include the DOI or URL where the case study can be found. For example https://doi.org/10.1145/1234567.1234567
Here’s what the final citation should look like:
Smith, J. (2018). The impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Harvard Business Review Press. https://doi.org/10.1145/1234567.1234567
What to do if there is no DOI or URL
If you cannot find a DOI or URL for the case study, you can omit it from the citation. In that case, you should include the name of the database where you found the case study instead. For example:
Smith, J. (2018). The impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Harvard Business Review Press. Academic Search Complete.
Tips for citing a case study in APA format
- Always check the specific requirements of your instructor or publisher to ensure that you are following their guidelines correctly.
- Double-check your citations to make sure that you have included all the necessary information.
- If you are citing multiple case studies from the same author or publisher, you can use a shortened version of the citation after the first one. For example Smith (2018, p. 25).
Conclusion
Citing a case study in APA format may seem daunting at first, but it is quite simple once you know the steps. By following the guidelines in this article, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and complete and that you are giving credit to the original authors for their work.
