Citing a Handbook in APA: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025
Introduction
When citing a handbook in the American Psychological Association (APA) style, it is essential to follow specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. This guide will provide a step-by-step approach to citing handbooks, including various elements required for different citation formats.
Step-by-Step Approach
Book-format Handbook
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Eds.). (Year). *Title of handbook* (Edition). Publisher.
Example:
Smith, J. H., & Brown, M. L. (Eds.). (2023). *Handbook of cognitive psychology* (3rd ed.). Sage.
Electronic-format Handbook
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Eds.). (Year). *Title of handbook* (Edition). Publisher. doi:XXXXXXXX
Example:
Green, R. T., & Wilson, T. D. (Eds.). (2022). *Handbook of personality and social psychology* (2nd ed.). Wiley. doi:10.1002/9781119721514
Chapter in a Handbook
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In A. A. Author & B. B. Author (Eds.), *Title of handbook* (Edition, pp. Page numbers). Publisher.
Example:
Johnson, S. R. (2021). Exploring the role of self-esteem in motivation. In J. H. Smith & M. L. Brown (Eds.), *Handbook of cognitive psychology* (3rd ed., pp. 234-256). Sage.
Online Chapter in a Handbook
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In A. A. Author & B. B. Author (Eds.), *Title of handbook* (Edition). Publisher. Retrieved Month, Day, Year, from URL
Example:
Williams, J. M. (2022). The impact of culture on well-being. In R. T. Green & T. D. Wilson (Eds.), *Handbook of personality and social psychology* (2nd ed.). Wiley. Retrieved October 15, 2023, from https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119721514.ch24
Supplemental Information
Book Edition:
- If the handbook has multiple editions, indicate the edition number after the year of publication. For example, “(2nd ed.)” or “(3rd ed.)”.
Page Numbers:
- For chapters in handbooks, include the page numbers of the chapter.
DOI (for Online Handbooks):
- If the handbook is available online, include the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) after the publisher information.
Retrieved Information:
- For online handbooks, include the date retrieved and the URL where the handbook was accessed.
Additional Tips
- Use italics for the title of the handbook.
- Capitalize only the first word of the chapter title.
- Use a hanging indent for the second and subsequent lines of each citation.
- Consult the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.) for additional guidance.
Table 1: APA Citation Formats for Handbooks
| Citation Element | Book-Format Handbook | Electronic-Format Handbook |
|---|---|---|
| Title of handbook | Title of handbook | Title of handbook |
| Edition | (Edition) | (Edition) |
| Author(s) | A. A. Author & B. B. Author | A. A. Author & B. B. Author |
| Year of publication | (Year) | (Year) |
| Publisher | Publisher | Publisher |
| DOI (if applicable) | 10.1002/9781119721514 | |
| Page numbers (if applicable) | (pp. Page numbers) | |
| Retrieved information (if applicable) | Month, Day, Year, from URL |
Table 2: Comparison of Traditional vs. APA Citation Formats
| Element | Traditional Format | APA Format |
|---|---|---|
| Title of handbook | Title of handbook | Title of handbook |
| Author(s) | Author(s) | Author(s), A. A., & Author(s), B. B. |
| Year of publication | Year of publication | (Year) |
| Edition | Edition | (Edition) |
| Page numbers | Page numbers | (pp. Page numbers) |
| Publisher | Publisher | Publisher |
FAQs
-
How do I cite a specific chapter in a handbook?
– Follow the format: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In A. A. Author & B. B. Author (Eds.), Title of handbook (Edition, pp. Page numbers). Publisher. -
How do I cite an online handbook?
– Use the following format: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Eds.). (Year). Title of handbook (Edition). Publisher. doi:XXXXXXXX -
What do I do if the handbook does not have a DOI?
– Provide the URL where the handbook can be accessed. -
How do I know if I am citing the correct edition of a handbook?
– Check the copyright page or the table of contents for the edition number.
Case Detail
Scenario:
A researcher wants to cite a chapter from the Handbook of Personality and Social Psychology in an APA-style paper. The chapter is titled “The Influence of Culture on Well-being” by author John M. Williams. The handbook was published in 2022 by Wiley and has a DOI of 10.1002/9781119721514.
Citation:
Williams, J. M. (2022). The influence of culture on well-being. In R. T. Green & T. D. Wilson (Eds.), *Handbook of personality and social psychology* (2nd ed.). Wiley. doi:10.1002/9781119721514.ch24
Conclusion
Citing a handbook in APA style requires careful attention to the specific elements required for different citation formats. By following the step-by-step approach outlined in this guide, you can ensure the accuracy and consistency of your citations. Remember to consult the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.) for additional guidance and updates.
Relevant Keywords:
- APA Citation
- Handbook Citation
- Psychological Research
- Scientific Writing
