Citing YouTube Videos in APA 7th: A Step-by-Step Guide
What is APA Style?
Before we dive into the world of YouTube citations, let’s briefly cover what APA (American Psychological Association) style is all about. APA style is a formatting guide used in the social sciences to cite sources, including books, journals, and videos. It provides a consistent and authoritative way to present research and ideas.
Getting Started: Understanding APA Style
To cite YouTube videos in APA 7th, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Identify the source: Determine where the YouTube video is from and what type of source it is (e.g., article, documentary, music video).
- Determine the citation style: APA style uses a combination of authors’ names, publication dates, and page numbers (if applicable).
- Use the right citation format: This depends on the type of source you’re citing. You can use the online APA Style citation guide or consult with your instructor or a research assistant.
Types of YouTube Videos
When citing YouTube videos, you’ll need to determine the type of source it is. Here are some common types of YouTube videos and how to cite them in APA 7th:
- Video: The source is a video.
- Video clip: The source is a portion of a video.
- Pre-recorded: The source is a pre-recorded video, such as a vlog or a documentary.
- Live: The source is a live video, such as a talk show or a concert.
Citing YouTube Videos: The Citation Format
To cite a YouTube video in APA 7th, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Author: The source is the creator of the video.
- Title: The title of the video.
- Publication Date: The date the video was uploaded to YouTube.
- Duration: The length of the video in minutes and seconds.
- Distributor: The person or organization that uploaded the video to YouTube.
Here’s an example of a citation for a YouTube video:
"The video titled ‘How to use a drone’ by [Author’s Name] was uploaded on [Date] and has been viewed [Number] times. The video is approximately [Duration] minutes long."
Other Sources
In addition to YouTube videos, you may need to cite other sources that are used in your research, such as:
- Online articles: Articles published on websites, blogs, or online publications.
- Podcasts: Podcasts that are created by individuals or organizations.
- Photos: Images published on websites, social media, or other online platforms.
Citing YouTube Videos in APA 7th: A Table
Here’s a table summarizing the key information for citing YouTube videos in APA 7th:
| Type of Source | Author | Title | Publication Date | Duration | Distributor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video | |||||
| Video clip | |||||
| Pre-recorded | |||||
| Live |
In-Text Citations
When citing a YouTube video in APA 7th, you’ll need to include an in-text citation, such as:
"The video titled ‘How to use a drone’ by [Author’s Name] is a popular tutorial that has been viewed [Number] times."
This citation format follows the APA 7th style guidelines for citing sources in the text.
References List
The references list is where you’ll compile all your sources, including YouTube videos. Here’s an example of a references list for a research paper on YouTube videos:
- "author1. Title of Book. City: Publisher, Year. Title of Article. Journal of Research, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 1-5. 2019."
- "author2. Title of Video. City: YouTube, YouTube, uploaded on [Date]. YouTube.com."
- "author3. Title of Podcast. City: Podcast, podcastdate, episode. [YouTube URL]."
Conclusion
Citing YouTube videos in APA 7th requires a bit of extra effort, but the end result is a consistent and authoritative way to present your research. By following these steps and using the right citation format, you’ll be able to cite YouTube videos with confidence and style. Remember to always consult the APA 7th style guide for specific guidance on citing sources, including YouTube videos.