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Last Updated on: 2nd February 2024, 05:52 am
If you’re wondering how to cite an interview in APA, there are really just two answers. The most common type of interview provided in papers is the personal interview, which is obtained from a source that is not recoverable by the reader. These include face-to-face interviews, letters, and email messages. Published interviews are those obtained from the Internet, a newspaper, magazine, or other printed sources.
How to Cite an Interview in APA: Personal Interview
Before conducting an interview, make sure that the information you need is not already in published sources. When you cite an interview that you personally obtained, you will need to adhere to the APA guidelines for citing personal communications. An APA interview citation goes as follows.
In-text citation
(Interviewee’s First Initial. Last Name, personal communication, Month Day, Year)
Example
(A. Vaughn, personal communication, May 14, 2020)
Paraphrase
Because girls have traditionally not been encouraged to obtain a degree or career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), more programs and initiatives should be implemented to bridge the gender gaps (A. Vaughn, personal communication, May 14, 2020).
Quotation
When mentioning the interviewee as part of the narrative, provide the person’s first initial and last name, but do not include his or name in the in-text citation.
A. Vaughn recommends starting “STEM activities for girls in preschool by having them conduct simple experiments that are fun” (personal communication, May 14, 2020).
Reference list
A personal interview is not from a recoverable source, so you are not required to put it in the list of references.
How to Cite an Interview in APA: Published Interviews
How to cite an interview in APA if it’s already been published?
When you cite an interview that has been published, follow the appropriate guidelines for the specific reference (e.g. Internet, magazine, journal). The author will be the interviewer. The name of the interviewee is not included in the in-text citation or reference list. However, when you quote what the interviewee said, provide his or her name.
You will need to follow the guidelines for paraphrases and quotations according to the guidelines for the source it is published in, such as journal, book, blog, social media, or public or personal website. The following are some examples of the citation and reference list for published interviews on the Internet and in a magazine.
In-text citation
(Interviewer’s Last name, Year)
Example
(Stevenson, 2020)
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Reference list
Internet
When providing the URL from a source, you no longer have to write “Retrieved from” before it.
Interviewer’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month and/ or Day, if known). Title of interview. Title of webpage. Webpage. URL http://www.url.com
Example
(Stevenson, S. (2020). Profile of a civil engineer: An interview with James Hall. All Engineering Schools. https://www.allengineeringschools.com/engineering-careers/article/civil-engineering-interview/
Magazine
Interviewer’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month and/ or Day, if known). Title of interview. Title of Magazine, Volume(Issue), page number.
Example
Gallacher, J. (2004, October 21). How CryptoCycle is using blockchain to prevent fraud: An interview with Duncan Midwood. Recycling and Waste World, 20(4), 4-5. https://www.recyclingwasteworld.co.uk/interviews/how-cryptocycle-is-using-blockchain-to-to-prevent-fraud/219919/
Citing Interviews With Study Participants in APA Style
You may interview participants as part of your thesis or dissertation. You do not have to cite them in your list of references. When using participants’ statements, you will need to ensure their anonymity for ethical reasons. When you refer to a participant, do not provide any identifying information. You can identify them by using a code, such as Participant A, Student 1.
APA Interview Citation: Final Thoughts
For more information about how to cite an interview, refer to Sections 6.20 and 8.8 of the APA Manual 7th edition.
If you need assistance with APA style or any other aspect of your dissertation, take a look at our Dissertation Editing and Dissertation Coaching services. Or feel free to book a free 30-minute consultation.
