Cite One Volume of a Multivolume in APA

• Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)
• Published on 02/23/2024

Citing a single volume from a multivolume work may seem complex, but with the guidelines provided by the American Psychological Association (APA), it becomes manageable. Let’s delve into how to cite one volume of a multivolume work in APA format.

VOLUME WITHOUT ITS OWN TITLE

• Contributor: List all authors or editors involved in the volume. If there are more than three authors, include only the first author followed by “et al.” Only include the “(Ed(s).)” markup for editor(s) rather than authors.
• Year of Publication: Enclose the year of publication in parentheses immediately after the authors’ names.
• Title of Series: Italicize the title of the series.
• Edition and Volume: Specify the edition (if not the first) and the volume number in parentheses after the title of the series.
• Publisher: Provide the name(s) of the publisher(s) separated by semicolons.
• DOI: If a digital object identifier (DOI) is available, include it after the publisher’s name preceded by “https://doi.org/”.

CITATION EXAMPLE

Verify the Volume Number and Title Accuracy: Before citing a specific volume of a multivolume work, double-check the volume number and title to ensure accuracy. Mistakes in volume identification can lead to confusion for readers trying to locate the referenced material. Ensure that the volume number matches the edition you are citing and accurately reflects the content covered in the volume. Specify Edition Information if Applicable: Only include the edition number if it is not the first edition. For example, if citing a second edition or later, include the edition number in parentheses after the title of the series, using the appropriate abbreviation (e.g., “2nd ed.”). This ensures clarity and accuracy in referencing the specific edition of the volume within the multivolume work, providing readers with relevant contextual information. Consider Including a DOI: If available, include a digital object identifier (DOI). A DOI provides a permanent link to the source, ensuring that readers can access the material even if the original source location changes. Including a DOI enhances the credibility and reliability of the citation by facilitating easy access to the referenced volume for readers.

VOLUME WITH OWN TITLE

If the volume has its own title, it should be included after the main/series title. The volume number and title should both be italicized. This helps to differentiate between the main series title and the specific volume being referenced, providing clarity for readers.

• Contributor: List all authors or editors involved in the volume. If there are more than three authors, include only the first author followed by “et al.” Only include the “(Ed(s).)” markup for editor/s rather than authors.
• Year of Publication: Enclose the year of publication in parentheses immediately after the authors’ names.
• Title of Series: Italicize the title of the series.
• Volume No. and Title: If the volume has its own title, include the volume number and title in italics following the main/series title.
• Publisher: Provide the name(s) of the publisher(s) separated by semicolons.
• DOI: If a digital object identifier (DOI) is available, include it after the publisher’s name preceded by “https://doi.org/”.

CITATION EXAMPLE