Introduction:

The American Psychological Association (APA) Code of Ethics serves as a guide for psychologists, setting out principles and standards for ethical decision-making and behavior within the profession. When referring to this document in your academic or professional work, it is important to cite it correctly, following the appropriate citation style. In this article, we will explore three straightforward methods to cite the APA Code of Ethics – using APA citation style, MLA citation style, and Chicago citation style.

1. APA Citation Style:

In-text Citation:

When citing the APA Code of Ethics within the text using the APA citation style, you should refer to it as “(American Psychological Association [APA], 2017)”.

Example: Ethical principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity requires psychologists to ensure confidentiality and protect personal data (American Psychological Association [APA], 2017).

Reference List Entry:

American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code

2. MLA Citation Style:

In-text Citation:

Using the Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style, you should cite the Code as “(American Psychological Association)” within the text.

Example: “Psychologists should always consider their client’s welfare as their primary concern (American Psychological Association).”

Works Cited Entry:

American Psychological Association. Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. 2017, https://www.apa.org/ethics/code.

3. Chicago Citation Style:

In-text Citation (Author-Date Style):

When using The Chicago Manual of Style’s author-date system for in-text citations, refer to the Code as “(American Psychological Association [APA] 2017)”.

Example: Psychologists should not engage in any form of discrimination based on race, gender, religion, age, or other factors (American Psychological Association [APA] 2017).

Reference List Entry:

American Psychological Association (APA). 2017. “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.” https://www.apa.org/ethics/code.

Conclusion:

Regardless of the citation style you adopt, it is essential to cite the APA Code of Ethics accurately in your academic or professional work. By using these three simple methods corresponding to the APA, MLA, and Chicago citation styles, you can ensure that your citations are consistent and give appropriate credit to the American Psychological Association’s ethical guidelines for psychologists.