What is the recommended format for listing multiple authors in an APA reference?

The recommended format for listing multiple authors in an APA reference is to list the first 20 authors in a reference entry, and if there are more than 20, the subsequent authors are omitted and indicated with an ellipsis. This allows for clarity and conciseness in citations while still giving credit to the numerous contributors of the work.

In practical terms, if a work has more than 20 authors, one would list the first 19 authors, followed by an ellipsis, and then include the last author's name. This approach maintains a balance between acknowledging the contributions of multiple authors and keeping references manageable and readable for the audience.

The responses that discuss an ellipsis after the fifth or seventh authors do not align with APA guidelines, which specifically mention the use of the ellipsis after the 20th author in longer author lists. Therefore, understanding this guideline ensures that citations are presented correctly according to APA standards.