How To Cite An Interview In Apa

Citing interviews in APA style can be tricky, but mastering the process is essential for maintaining academic integrity and giving proper credit to your sources. Whether you're using direct quotes, paraphrasing information, or simply referencing insights gained from an interview, adhering to APA guidelines ensures clarity and credibility in your research.

Why Is Proper Citation Important?

Before diving into the how-to, it's crucial to understand why citing sources—including interviews—is so important.

• Giving Credit: Proper citation acknowledges the intellectual property of others. Interviews often provide unique perspectives and data that are not available elsewhere, and the interviewee deserves recognition for their contribution.
• Avoiding Plagiarism: Failure to cite sources correctly, whether intentional or unintentional, constitutes plagiarism. This can have serious consequences in academic and professional settings.
• Enhancing Credibility: Citing your sources strengthens your argument by demonstrating that your work is based on credible evidence and well-researched information.
• Providing Context: Citations allow readers to locate the original sources, providing them with additional context and the ability to evaluate the validity of your claims.

Types of Interviews and Their Citation Methods in APA

APA style distinguishes between two main types of interviews, each requiring a slightly different approach to citation:

1. Published Interviews: These are interviews that have been formally published in a book, journal, magazine, newspaper, or on a website. Because they are accessible to the public, they are cited in the reference list.
2. Personal Interviews: These are interviews that you conduct yourself and are not available to the general public. Because they cannot be retrieved by others, they are not included in the reference list but are cited within the text of your paper.

Citing Published Interviews

Published interviews are treated similarly to other types of published sources. The citation format depends on where the interview was published. Here are some common scenarios:

Interview Published in a Book

Reference List Entry:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of interview. In B. B. Editor (Ed.), Title of book (pp. xxx–xxx). Publisher.

Example:

Gates, B. (2023). The future of technology. In A. Smith (Ed.), Innovations in the 21st century (pp. 45-62). Academic Press.

In-Text Citation:

(Gates, 2023)

or

Gates (2023) stated that...

Interview Published in a Journal

Reference List Entry:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of interview. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), xxx–xxx. DOI or URL

Example:

Goubert, A. (2024). A conversation with Dr. Emily Carter on sustainable energy. Journal of Environmental Science, 52(1), 120-135.

In-Text Citation:

(Goubert, 2024)

or

Goubert (2024) discussed...

Interview Published in a Magazine or Newspaper

Reference List Entry:

Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of interview. Title of Magazine/Newspaper, pp. xxx–xxx.

Example:

Johnson, L. (2023, November 15). An interview with Elon Musk on space exploration. Time Magazine, pp. 25-32.

In-Text Citation:

(Johnson, 2023)

or

Johnson (2023) reported...

Interview Published on a Website

Reference List Entry:

Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of interview. Title of Website. URL

Example:

Doe, J. (2024, January 20). Interview with Malala Yousafzai. The Nobel Prize Website.

In-Text Citation:

(Doe, 2024)

or

Doe (2024) mentioned...

Citing Personal Interviews

Personal interviews are not included in the reference list because they are not recoverable data. Instead, they are cited within the text using the following format:

In-Text Citation:

(A. A. Interviewee, personal communication, Date)

Example:

(J. Smith, personal communication, March 12, 2024)

or

J. Smith (personal communication, March 12, 2024) mentioned that...

Key Points:

• Use the interviewee’s initial(s) and last name.
• Specify "personal communication" to indicate that the interview was not published.
• Include the exact date the interview took place.

Formatting Direct Quotes and Paraphrases

When incorporating information from interviews, you'll either use direct quotes or paraphrases. Each requires a slightly different approach:

Direct Quotes

• Short Quotes (Less than 40 words): Incorporate the quote directly into your text and enclose it in double quotation marks. Include the in-text citation immediately after the quote.

  Example:

  Smith (personal communication, March 12, 2024) stated, "The key to success is perseverance and a willingness to learn from your mistakes."

• Long Quotes (40 words or more): Format the quote as a block quote. Start the quote on a new line, indent the entire block half an inch from the left margin, and omit quotation marks. Include the in-text citation after the block quote.

  Example:

  Smith (personal communication, March 12, 2024) explained:

  The challenges we faced were significant, but our team remained dedicated to finding innovative solutions. We spent countless hours brainstorming, prototyping, and testing different approaches. Ultimately, our persistence paid off, and we were able to develop a groundbreaking technology that has the potential to transform the industry.

Paraphrases

• When paraphrasing, restate the interviewee's ideas in your own words. Although you are not using the exact words, you still need to cite the source to give credit to the interviewee.

  Example:

  According to Smith (personal communication, March 12, 2024), perseverance and a willingness to learn from mistakes are essential for achieving success.

Essential Elements of an Interview Citation

Regardless of whether the interview is published or personal, certain elements are crucial for a complete and accurate citation:

• Interviewee's Name: Always include the full name (or initials and last name) of the person you interviewed.
• Date of Interview: The date is essential for providing context and ensuring accuracy.
• Type of Communication: Specify whether it was a personal communication or a published interview.
• Publication Details: If the interview is published, include the title of the publication (e.g., book, journal, magazine, website), volume/issue number (if applicable), page numbers, and DOI or URL.

Examples of Complete Citations

To illustrate how to cite interviews in APA style, here are several complete examples:

Published Interview in a Book

Reference List Entry:

Obama, B. (2019). A conversation on leadership. In D. Remnick (Ed.), The bridge: Life and views of Barack Obama (pp. 220-245). Alfred A. Knopf.

In-Text Citation:

(Obama, 2019)

or

Obama (2019) discussed...

Published Interview in a Journal

Reference List Entry:

Anderson, C. (2022). An interview with Dr. Jane Goodall on conservation. Environmental Science Journal, 48(2), 85-102.

In-Text Citation:

(Anderson, 2022)

or

Anderson (2022) reported...

Published Interview in a Magazine

Reference List Entry:

Cooper, A. (2023, July 8). A conversation with Oprah Winfrey on success. Forbes Magazine, pp. 50-58.

In-Text Citation:

(Cooper, 2023)

or

Cooper (2023) mentioned...

Personal Interview

In-Text Citation:

(L. Johnson, personal communication, April 5, 2024)

or

L. Johnson (personal communication, April 5, 2024) stated that...

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Citing interviews can be challenging, and it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

• Omitting the Date: For personal communications, forgetting to include the date makes the citation incomplete.
• Including Personal Interviews in the Reference List: Personal interviews should only be cited in the text, not in the reference list.
• Incorrectly Formatting Published Interviews: Ensure you follow the correct format for the type of publication (book, journal, magazine, website).
• Failing to Cite Paraphrased Information: Even when you paraphrase, you must cite the source to give credit to the interviewee.
• Inconsistent Formatting: Maintain consistency in your citations throughout your paper.

Step-by-Step Guide to Citing Interviews in APA

To help you navigate the process, here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Identify the Type of Interview: Determine whether the interview is published or personal.
2. Gather Necessary Information: Collect all relevant details, including the interviewee’s name, date of the interview, publication details (if applicable), and page numbers.
3. Create the Reference List Entry (if applicable): If the interview is published, create a reference list entry using the appropriate format.
4. Insert the In-Text Citation: Include the in-text citation whenever you quote or paraphrase information from the interview.
5. Format Direct Quotes and Paraphrases Correctly: Follow the guidelines for formatting direct quotes and paraphrases, including the use of quotation marks and block quotes.
6. Review and Proofread: Double-check your citations to ensure they are accurate and consistent.

Ethical Considerations

When conducting and citing interviews, it’s important to consider ethical implications:

• Informed Consent: Obtain informed consent from the interviewee before conducting the interview. Explain the purpose of the interview, how the information will be used, and ensure they understand their rights.
• Confidentiality: Respect the interviewee’s privacy and confidentiality. If they request that certain information be kept confidential, honor their request.
• Accuracy: Accurately represent the interviewee’s views and avoid misinterpreting or distorting their statements.
• Transparency: Be transparent about your intentions and affiliations. Disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

Using AI Tools for Citation Assistance

Several AI-powered tools can assist with citation management and formatting. While these tools can be helpful, it’s crucial to use them cautiously and always double-check the results to ensure accuracy. Some popular citation management tools include:

• Zotero: A free, open-source citation management tool that can help you collect, organize, and cite your sources.
• Mendeley: A reference management tool that allows you to store, organize, and cite your sources, as well as collaborate with other researchers.
• Citationsy: A web-based citation generator that can automatically create citations in various styles, including APA.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of citing interviews in APA style is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and giving proper credit to your sources. Whether you're dealing with published interviews or personal communications, following the guidelines outlined in this article will ensure that your citations are accurate, consistent, and ethically sound. Remember to gather all necessary information, format your citations correctly, and double-check your work to avoid common mistakes. By doing so, you'll enhance the credibility of your research and demonstrate your commitment to academic excellence.