How to Reference a Chapter in a Book APA: A Complete Guide

Have you ever spent ages meticulously crafting an essay, only to stumble when it came to properly referencing a specific chapter within an edited book? You’re not alone! Accurately citing sources is the bedrock of academic integrity and demonstrating the breadth of your research. In APA style, this extends beyond simple book citations to include how to credit individual chapters when those chapters are written by different authors within a larger, edited work. Failing to do so can lead to accusations of plagiarism, undermine your credibility, and ultimately detract from the impact of your work.

Mastering APA referencing, especially for book chapters, ensures you give due credit where it’s deserved and allows readers to easily locate the original sources you’ve used. This meticulous approach builds trust in your arguments and strengthens the overall quality of your academic writing. Properly formatted citations are not just an academic formality; they’re an essential tool for clear communication and scholarly discourse. So, how do you navigate the nuances of referencing a book chapter in APA style?

Frequently Asked Questions About APA Book Chapter Citations

What’s the correct APA format for citing a chapter in an edited book?

The correct APA format for citing a chapter in an edited book is: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In A. Editor, B. Editor, & C. Editor (Eds.), Title of book (pp. page range). Publisher.

Let’s break this down. The citation starts with the author of the specific chapter you are referencing, not the editor(s) of the entire book. Follow the author’s name with the year the book was published. Next comes the title of the chapter itself, followed by “In” to indicate that the chapter is part of a larger work. Then, list the editor(s) of the book, using their initials and last name, followed by “(Eds.)” to signify their role as editors. The complete title of the book is italicized. Include the page range of the chapter within the book, preceded by “pp.” Finally, provide the name of the publisher.

For example, if you’re citing a chapter titled “The Neuroscience of Memory” written by Dr. Jane Doe in a book called “Advances in Cognitive Psychology” edited by Dr. John Smith and Dr. Emily Brown, published in 2023 by Academic Press, and the chapter spans pages 50-75, the citation would look like this: Doe, J. (2023). The neuroscience of memory. In J. Smith & E. Brown (Eds.), Advances in cognitive psychology (pp. 50-75). Academic Press.

How do I reference a chapter with a different author than the book’s editor in APA?

To reference a chapter in a book where the chapter author is different from the book’s editor in APA style, you’ll create a reference that includes both the chapter author and the book editor. The format generally follows this pattern: Chapter Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In A. A. Editor (Ed.), *Title of book* (pp. xxx–xxx). Publisher.

The key is to give credit where credit is due: both to the person who wrote the specific chapter you are using and to the person who compiled and edited the entire book. Start with the chapter author’s name, followed by the year the book was published. Include the full title of the chapter. Then, use the word “In” to introduce the information about the book itself. The editor’s name should be written as “A. A. Editor (Ed.)”, and the book’s title should be italicized. Crucially, provide the page range where the chapter appears within the book.

Here’s an example: Smith, J. (2023). The impact of social media on political discourse. In A. Johnson (Ed.), *Contemporary issues in political science* (pp. 45-62). Academic Press. This citation allows readers to quickly identify the specific contribution you’re referencing (Smith’s chapter) and find it within the larger edited volume (Johnson’s book).

Should I include page numbers when citing a book chapter in APA?

Yes, you should absolutely include page numbers when citing a specific chapter within an edited book in APA style. Providing the page range allows readers to locate the exact information you are referencing within the chapter, rather than having to search the entire chapter.

When you’re citing a chapter in an edited book, you’re essentially dealing with a contribution from a specific author *within* a larger work overseen by editors. The in-text citation should include the chapter author’s last name and the year of publication, followed by the page number(s) you’re referencing. For example: (Smith, 2023, p. 45) or (Smith, 2023, pp. 45-47). The reference list entry, however, will include details about both the chapter author and the book editor(s), along with the chapter title, book title, and the page range for the entire chapter. This full reference list entry is crucial for providing the complete context of the source.

Think of it this way: The page numbers act as precise locators. Without them, your citation is incomplete, and it makes it harder for your audience to verify your claims and understand the specific context from which you are drawing information. Including the page numbers demonstrates academic rigor and respect for the original author’s work by guiding readers directly to the relevant passage. Failing to include them can be seen as a lack of attention to detail, potentially undermining your credibility as a researcher.

What information is required in the APA citation for a book chapter?

To properly cite a chapter from an edited book in APA style, you’ll need the following elements: the chapter author(s), the year of publication, the chapter title, the book editor(s), the book title, the chapter’s page range, and the publisher. The specific formatting and punctuation are also crucial for accurate citation.

Let’s break down why each element is essential. The chapter author and title give credit to the specific contributor of that section of the book, acknowledging their intellectual work. Including the book editor(s) and title clarifies that the chapter is part of a larger, curated work. The year of publication is important for understanding the context of the information, and the page range allows readers to easily locate the cited material within the book. Finally, the publisher information enables others to find the source.

Here’s how the components typically appear in an APA citation for a book chapter:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In A. Editor & B. Editor (Eds.), *Title of book* (pp. xxx–xxx). Publisher.

Remember to italicize the *Title of book*. The “Eds.” abbreviation indicates that the individuals listed are editors, not authors, of the entire book. If the book has a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), it should be included at the end of the citation.

How does citing a chapter in a book differ from citing the entire book in APA?

The primary difference between citing a chapter in a book versus the entire book in APA lies in the level of specificity provided in the reference. When citing a chapter, you’re directing the reader to a specific contribution within a larger work, necessitating the inclusion of the chapter author (if different from the book editor), chapter title, and page numbers, in addition to the book’s editor(s), title, and publication information. Citing the entire book, on the other hand, indicates that you are referencing the work as a whole, and thus only requires the book author(s) or editor(s), book title, and publication details.

When you cite a specific chapter, you acknowledge the individual author’s contribution to the edited volume. The reference list entry will start with the chapter author’s name, followed by the year of publication, the chapter title, and the word “In,” indicating that the chapter is *in* a larger work. Next comes the editor(s) of the book, preceded by “Ed.” or “Eds.” (for multiple editors), then the book title, and finally the page range of the chapter within the book, along with publication information. This allows readers to find precisely the information you used within that specific section of the book. Citing the entire book indicates that you are drawing upon the overarching themes, arguments, or information presented throughout the whole work. The reference entry will begin with the author or editor of the entire book. If the book is edited, you will include “(Ed.)” or “(Eds.)” after the editor’s name. The key is that you are not pointing to a specific, self-contained part of the book, but rather to the complete volume as a single, unified source. This distinction is crucial for giving proper credit and guiding your readers to the exact source of your information.

What if the book chapter doesn’t have a specific author listed in APA?

If a book chapter doesn’t have a specific author listed, and the book itself has an editor or editors, treat the editor(s) as the author(s) of the chapter in your APA citation. Use the editor’s name(s) in place of the chapter author and follow the rest of the format for citing a chapter in an edited book.

When a chapter lacks a specific author, it implies that the editor(s) of the book are responsible for the content of that particular chapter. This is common in certain types of edited volumes where the editor(s) contribute significantly to the overall work, sometimes writing introductory or concluding chapters, or providing integrated overviews. In these cases, attributing the chapter to the editor(s) maintains accuracy and transparency in acknowledging intellectual contribution. Here’s how the citation would look: Editor, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In B. B. Editor (Ed.), *Title of book* (pp. xxx–yyy). Publisher. Remember to replace “Editor, A. A.” and “B. B. Editor” with the actual editor’s name(s), “Year” with the publication year, “Title of chapter” and “*Title of book*” with the appropriate titles, “xxx-yyy” with the page range of the chapter, and “Publisher” with the name of the publishing company. If there are multiple editors, include all their names, separated by commas, before the final editor, whose name is preceded by an ampersand (&). For example: Editor, A. A., Editor, B. B., & Editor, C. C. (Year). Title of chapter. In A. A. Editor, B. B. Editor, & C. C. Editor (Eds.), *Title of book* (pp. xxx-yyy). Publisher.

Where does the chapter title go in an APA book chapter citation?

In an APA Style book chapter citation, the chapter title appears after the chapter author’s name(s) and before the book title. It is not italicized or placed in quotation marks, but only the first word of the title and any proper nouns are capitalized. The chapter title is followed by the word “In” to indicate that it is part of a larger work, and then the book’s editor(s) name(s) are listed.

To further clarify, consider the specific order of elements within an APA Style book chapter citation: Chapter Author(s). (Year). Chapter title. In Editor(s) (Ed(s).), *Book title* (pp. page range). Publisher. Notice that only the book title is italicized. The “pp.” preceding the page range is only used for chapters within edited books. For authored books, the page range is not included in the citation. Let’s look at an example: Wegener, D. T., & Petty, R. E. (1994). Mood management across affective states: The hedonic contingency hypothesis. In D. Zillmann & P. Vorderer (Eds.), *Media entertainment: The psychology of its appeal* (pp. 103–117). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. In this example, “Mood management across affective states: The hedonic contingency hypothesis” is the chapter title, correctly positioned and formatted within the citation. Remember this placement and formatting to ensure accurate APA Style citations.

And that’s the gist of referencing a book chapter in APA style! Hopefully, this has cleared up any confusion. Thanks for taking the time to read this guide, and please feel free to swing by again if you have any other citation questions. We’re always happy to help!