Introduction:

Citing a survey properly is essential for maintaining academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism. The American Psychological Association (APA) format has specific guidelines for citing surveys. In this article, we’ll walk you through the 11 steps to correctly cite a survey in APA style.

Step 1: Identify the Source

First, identify the source of the survey. This may include the author(s), organization(s), or institution(s) responsible for its creation.

Step 2: Gather Required Information

You will need the following information to create your citation:

– Survey author(s)

– Title of the survey

– Date of publication or distribution

– Name of the organization or institution that conducted or published the survey

– Access information such as URL, DOI, or database name (if applicable)

Step 3: Format the Author’s Name

List the surname of each author, followed by their initials (e.g., Smith, J.D.). If there are multiple authors, separate them with commas and an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name (e.g., Smith, J.D., & Johnson, A.B.).

Step 4: Include the Publication Date

Write the survey’s publication date inside parentheses next to the author’s name(s). If only the year is available, include that (e.g., Smith, J.D. (2018)).

Step 5: Write the Survey Title

The title should be italicized and written in sentence case (i.e., only capitalize major words and proper nouns). Insert a period after the title (e.g., Survey of workplace stress levels).

Step 6: Note Where You Found It

Include retrieval information such as “Retrieved from” followed by an active URL link. Alternatively, if you obtained it from a database or archive, include “Available from” with a brief description of the source (e.g., Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global).

Step 7: Use Square Brackets for Format Information

Immediately after the survey title, use square brackets to indicate it is a survey or questionnaire (e.g., Survey of workplace stress levels [Questionnaire]).

Step 8: Include Organization Information

After the format information, list the organization or institution responsible for publishing or conducting the survey preceded by a comma (e.g., Survey of workplace stress levels [Questionnaire], ABC Industries).

Step 9: Add Access Information

If you accessed the survey online, include the DOI or URL at the end of the citation. For surveys from databases, provide the database name (e.g., Retrieved from https://doi.org/… or Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global).

Step 10: Create an In-Text Citation

To cite a survey within your text, include the author’s last name, publication year, and the page number(s) where relevant information appears in parentheses (e.g., Smith, 2018, p.7).

Step 11: Include Citation in Reference List

List your full citation in alphabetical order on your reference page or bibliography.

Example:

Smith, J.D. (2018). Survey of workplace stress levels [Questionnaire], ABC Industries. Retrieved from https://doi.org/…

Conclusion:

By following these 11 steps, you can properly cite a survey in APA format, ensuring your work maintains academic integrity and gives credit to the original source. Always double-check your citation against updated APA guidelines when submitting your work.