Knowing how to properly cite the American Psychological Association (APA) Ethics Code is crucial for maintaining academic integrity in your research and writing. This guide will walk you through the process of citing the code both in-text and in your reference list, ensuring your work adheres to APA style guidelines.
In-Text Citations: Accurately Referencing the APA Ethics Code
When citing the APA Ethics Code within the body of your text, you need to be precise and clear about which specific standard or principle you are referencing. Simply mentioning "the APA Ethics Code" is insufficient; you must specify the exact section.
Here’s how to do it:
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General Reference: If you're making a general reference to the APA Ethics Code, you can cite it as follows:
(American Psychological Association, 2017)
This is appropriate when discussing the overall principles or the code’s structure without referencing a specific standard. Make sure to include the full reference in your References section.
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Specific Standard Reference: For more precise citations, you need to include the specific standard number. For example:
The principle of beneficence and nonmaleficence is clearly articulated in Standard 2.01 (American Psychological Association, 2017).
Or:
Researchers should always adhere to Standard 8.02 regarding informed consent (American Psychological Association, 2017).
Important Considerations:
- Year: Always include the year of publication (or the most recent revision) of the APA Ethics Code in your citation.
- Specificity: The more specific you can be, the better. Providing the standard number allows your readers to easily locate the precise section you’re referencing.
- Paraphrasing vs. Quoting: If you're paraphrasing, you only need the in-text citation. If you’re directly quoting, follow the in-text citation with the page number or paragraph number (if available in the electronic version) enclosed in parentheses after the year. This will look like this (American Psychological Association, 2017, para. 1). Note that some versions of the code may not offer paragraph numbering.
APA Ethics Code in the References Section: Completing Your Bibliography
Your References section needs a full citation of the APA Ethics Code. This provides your readers with complete bibliographic information to find the source themselves. The format will depend on whether you accessed the code online or via a printed copy.
For Online Access:
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
Important Note: The URL may change if APA updates their website; always use the most current link. If you are referencing a specific version of the code (if there have been multiple updates since 2017), it's acceptable to append the version to the title in italics to indicate the specific document consulted. For example, Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct: 2017 revision.
Why Accurate Citation Matters
Accurate citation of the APA Ethics Code is essential for several reasons:
- Academic Integrity: It ensures you give proper credit to the source of your information and avoids plagiarism.
- Clarity and Transparency: Precise citations allow readers to easily locate the source material and verify your claims.
- Professionalism: Proper referencing demonstrates your understanding of ethical research practices and scholarly writing standards.
By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately cite the APA Ethics Code in your academic work, ensuring clarity, integrity, and adherence to APA style. Remember to always consult the most current edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for the latest style guidelines.
