Title: How to Cite NIH in APA: A Step-by-Step Guide
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a government agency that conducts and supports biomedical research. If you are writing a research paper in the field of healthcare, medicine, or biology, you may need to cite sources from the NIH. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to cite NIH in APA format.
What is APA Format?
APA stands for American Psychological Association, which is the professional organization that created the style guide for social and behavioral sciences. APA format is commonly used in academic writing, including research papers, journals, and books. It provides a consistent format for citing sources, which makes it easier for readers to understand and follow your research.
Step 1: Locate the Source
The first step in citing NIH in APA format is to locate the source. The NIH website contains a vast amount of information, including research articles, reports, and datasets. You can search for specific sources using the search bar on the NIH website or by browsing the different categories.
Step 2: Determine the Citation Type
Once you have located the source, you need to determine the citation type. There are different types of citations, including journal articles, books, reports, and datasets. Each citation type requires a specific format, so it is important to know which type of citation you are using.
Step 3: Format the Citation
After determining the citation type, you need to format the citation according to APA guidelines. The basic format for citing sources in APA format includes the author's name, year of publication, title of the source, and publication information. Here is an example of how to cite a journal article from NIH in APA format:
Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year of Publication). Title of article. Journal Title, Volume number(Issue number), page numbers. DOI or URL
For example:
Smith, J. D. (2015). The effects of exercise on mental health. Journal of Health Psychology, 20(5), 585-593. doi: 10.1177/1359105315573443
Step 4: Include In-Text Citations
In addition to formatting the citation in the reference list, you must also include in-text citations in your paper. In-text citations provide the reader with the author and year of the source and allow them to locate the full citation in the reference list. Here is an example of how to include an in-text citation for the above example:
According to Smith (2015), exercise has a positive effect on mental health.
Step 5: Check for Accuracy
After formatting the citation and including the in-text citation, it is important to double-check for accuracy. Make sure that all information is correct, including author names, publication dates, and page numbers. This will ensure that your sources are properly cited and that your research is credible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. How do I cite an NIH website in APA format?
A1. To cite an NIH website in APA format, you should use the following format: Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year of Publication). Title of page. Website Name. Retrieved from URL
Q2. What if the source does not have an author?
A2. If the source does not have an author, use the title of the source in place of the author name. For example: "NIH Guidelines for Research Ethics" (2018).
Q3. How do I cite a dataset from NIH in APA format?
A3. To cite a dataset from NIH in APA format, you should use the following format: Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year of Publication). Title of dataset. NIH Data Commons. DOI or URL
Q4. Can I use footnotes instead of in-text citations in APA format?
A4. No, APA format requires in-text citations rather than footnotes. In-text citations provide the reader with the author and year of the source and allow them to locate the full citation in the reference list.
Q5. What if the source is a report from NIH?
A5. If the source is a report from NIH, you should use the following format: Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year of Publication). Title of report. NIH Publication Number. Retrieved from URL.
