How to Cite a Book With No Author in APA
- Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)
- Published on 06/06/2024
When citing a book with no author in APA format, follow a structured approach to ensure clarity and consistency. This guide provides a detailed explanation of the steps involved.
CITATION ELEMENTS FOR A BOOK WITH NO AUTHOR
- Title of the Book: The title should be in italics. This practice is consistent with the italicization used for books, chapters, articles, etc.
- Edition and Volume: The edition number, if it is not the first edition, should be included in round brackets immediately after the title and before the full stop. If the book has multiple volumes, include the volume number as well.
- Year of Publication: The year of publication should be enclosed in round brackets and placed after the full stop.
- Publisher(s): The publisher’s name should follow the year of publication. If there is more than one publisher, their names should be separated by semicolons.
- DOI (Digital Object Identifier): If a DOI is available for the book, it should be included at the end of the citation. The DOI provides a permanent link to the digital content.
EXAMPLE CITATIONS FOR A BOOK WITH NO AUTHOR
Book with No Author and No Edition Specified:
| Citation |
The World of Mathematics. (1956). Simon and Schuster.
|
| Structure |
Title. (Year). Publisher.
|
Book with No Author and Second Edition:
| Citation |
Handbook of Chemistry (2nd ed.). (1995). Wiley.
|
| Structure |
Title (Edition). (Year). Publisher.
|
Book with No Author, Multiple Volumes, and DOI:
| Citation |
Encyclopedia of Animal Science (3rd ed., Vol. 2). (2001). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012374407-4.00001-9
|
| Structure |
Title (Edition., Volume). (Year). Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxxx
|
 |
Prioritize Using the Title: When a book has no author, always begin the citation with the title. This helps maintain the alphabetical order of references by title in the reference list. Ensure the title is capitalized following sentence case, where only the first word of the title, the first word after a colon, and proper nouns are capitalized. Check for Revisions and Updates: Ensure you are using the most current information available for the book you are citing. Books may have multiple editions, and newer editions may contain significant updates or revisions. Always cite the edition you consulted, noting the year and edition number if applicable. Verify and Use the Correct DOI Format: If a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is available for the book, ensure it is included in the citation and formatted correctly. The DOI should be presented as a clickable link starting with “https://doi.org/xxxxx”. This not only provides a direct link to the source but also adheres to APA’s emphasis on digital accessibility. |
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Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)
Tomas Elliott is an assistant Professor of English at Northeastern University London. His research specialisms include the history of theatre and film, European modernism, world literature, film adaptation, transmedia studies and citation practices. He read English and French Literature at Trinity College, Oxford, before completing a PhD in Comparative Literature and Literary Theory at the University of Pennsylvania.