Citing a mobile application in your research can be a bit tricky, especially since it’s a relatively new area in citation practices. However, the APA format provides a straightforward way to reference apps in your academic work.
Here’s a guide on how to do it, complete with examples, based on insights from Columbia College:
Basic Format for APA Citation (7th edition) of an App:
When citing an app in APA, you need to consider the following elements:
- Name of the Company or Creator’s Last Name, First Initial: Start with the developer’s name. If it’s a company, use its name. If an individual, use their last name followed by their initials.
- Year of Current Version Release: Include the year when the version you used was released.
- Name of Application: The title of the app should be in italics.
- Version Number: If available, include the version number of the app.
- Type of Software: Indicate that it is a mobile application software.
- Publisher Name or App Store: Include where the app can be downloaded.
- URL: The URL from where the application was downloaded.
Important Note: Only cite software and apps that are not widely known or available. Common apps like Microsoft Word or Twitter don’t need citations.
Example of a Citation:
- Citation of a Well-Known App:
National Geographic Society. (2012). National parks by National Geographic (Version 1.2) [Mobile app]. App Store. http://www.apple.com/itunes/
In-Text Citations:
When paraphrasing or quoting from the app, the in-text citation format is relatively straightforward.
Paraphrasing:
- Format: (Name of Company or Author’s Last Name, Year)
- Example: (National Geographic Society, 2012)
Direct Quotes:
- Format: Same as paraphrasing.
- Example: (National Geographic Society, 2012)
Note: Since mobile apps usually don’t have page numbers, paragraph numbers, or section headings, this information is omitted from the in-text citation.
Examples of In-Text Citations:
- Paraphrasing an App’s Content: In the National Geographic Parks app, there’s a detailed guide on national parks (National Geographic Society, 2012).
- Quoting from an App: The National Geographic Parks app describes Yellowstone as “a geothermal wonderland” (National Geographic Society, 2012).
By following these guidelines, you can accurately and efficiently cite mobile applications in your academic work using APA format. Remember, proper citation is crucial in research to acknowledge the sources and avoid plagiarism.
