AAA In-Text Citations
Master AAA's author-date citation system for anthropological literature
Author-Date Citation System
AAA style uses an author-date system similar to other social sciences, with parenthetical citations that include the author's surname and publication year.
✓ Correct
Kinship systems vary across cultures (Levi-Strauss 1949).
✗ Incorrect
Kinship systems vary across cultures (Levi-Strauss, C. 1949, p. 45).
Basic Citation Formats
Single Author
Cultural relativism remains important (Benedict 1934).
Two Authors
Language shapes worldview (Sapir and Whorf 1956).
Three or More Authors
Archaeological evidence supports this theory (Johnson et al. 2023).
Author in Text
According to Geertz (1973), culture is a system of meanings.
Page Numbers and Direct Quotes
Include page numbers for direct quotes and specific references. AAA prefers page numbers for most citations to aid readers in locating specific information.
Direct Quote
"Culture is the fabric of meaning in terms of which human beings interpret their experience" (Geertz 1973:145).
Paraphrase with Page Number
Ritual practices reinforce social bonds (Turner 1969:95-102).
Multiple Pages
The fieldwork methodology was comprehensive (Malinowski 1922:1-25, 456-489).
Ethnographic Sources
Field Notes
Participants described the ceremony as sacred (Field notes, October 15, 2023).
Personal Interview
The elder explained traditional practices (Personal communication, Maria Gonzalez, September 20, 2023).
Recorded Interview
Traditional knowledge is passed orally (Interview with John Smith, August 10, 2023).
Artifact or Museum Collection
The pottery style reflects regional influences (National Museum of Anthropology, Catalog #2023.45).
Multiple Citations and Special Cases
Multiple Sources
Several ethnographers document this practice (Benedict 1934; Mead 1935; Geertz 1973).
Same Author, Multiple Years
Geertz's work spans decades (Geertz 1963, 1973, 1983).
Same Author, Same Year
Multiple studies examine this phenomenon (Smith 2023a, 2023b).
No Author (Organization)
Archaeological surveys confirm the dating (Smithsonian Institution 2023).
Electronic and Digital Sources
For digital ethnographic materials and online sources, include access dates and URLs when appropriate.
Online Database
Census data reveals population patterns (Human Relations Area Files 2023).
Digital Archive
Historical photographs document ceremonial practices (Digital Archive Project 2023).
Common Mistakes
⚠ Avoid These Errors
- • Including first names or initials in citations
- • Using "&" instead of "and" between authors
- • Forgetting page numbers for quotes and specific data
- • Inconsistent format for ethnographic sources
- • Not protecting participant confidentiality in citations
- • Omitting access dates for digital sources