AAA Journal Article Citations
Learn to cite anthropological journal articles, ethnographic research, and peer-reviewed studies using the American Anthropological Association (AAA) style guidelines.
AAA Journal Article Format
The American Anthropological Association (AAA) style uses an author-date citation system with specific formatting requirements for anthropological and cultural studies literature.
Standard Format:
Author, First Name
Year Title of Article. Journal Name Volume(Issue): Page Range.
Anthropological Research Examples
Single Author - Ethnographic Study:
Patel, Sunita
2023 Ritual and Identity in Contemporary Hindu Communities: An Ethnographic Analysis. American Ethnologist 50(2): 234-251.
In-text citation: Contemporary ritual practices reflect evolving identities (Patel 2023).
Multiple Authors - Cultural Analysis:
Rodriguez, Carlos, Jennifer Kim, and Michael Thompson
2023 Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Climate Adaptation Strategies. Current Anthropology 64(3): 345-368.
In-text citation: Indigenous communities demonstrate sophisticated adaptation strategies (Rodriguez, Kim, and Thompson 2023).
Archaeological Research:
Williams, Sarah Jane
2023 Material Culture and Social Stratification in Pre-Columbian Societies. American Antiquity 88(4): 678-695.
In-text citation: Archaeological evidence suggests complex social hierarchies (Williams 2023).
Cultural Studies Publications
Linguistic Anthropology:
Chen, Li Wei and Maria Gonzalez
2023 Language Revitalization and Cultural Identity Among Urban Indigenous Youth. Journal of Linguistic Anthropology 33(1): 89-107.
Medical Anthropology:
Anderson, Robert Paul, Sarah Davis, and Ahmed Hassan
2023 Traditional Healing Practices and Modern Healthcare Integration in Rural Guatemala. Medical Anthropology Quarterly 37(2): 156-174.
Visual Anthropology:
Taylor, Rebecca Anne
2023 Digital Storytelling and Cultural Preservation: Photography in Indigenous Communities. Visual Anthropology Review 39(1): 45-62.
Special Publication Types
Field Report:
Kumar, Rajesh
2023 Fieldwork Reflections: Navigating Cultural Boundaries in Urban Ethnography. Anthropology and Medicine 30(2): 178-182.
Book Review Essay:
Foster, Jennifer Lynn
2023 Rethinking Kinship in the 21st Century: A Review of Recent Scholarship. American Anthropologist 125(3): 567-571.
Commentary:
Garcia, Maria Isabel
2023 Decolonizing Anthropology: Methodological Innovations and Ethical Considerations. Critique of Anthropology 43(2): 234-240.
Online and Digital Sources
Online Journal Article with DOI:
O'Brien, Patrick Sean and Emma Wilson
2023 Digital Ethnography and Virtual Communities: Methodological Considerations. Journal of Digital Anthropology 5(1): 23-41. DOI: 10.1080/25729678.2023.2098765
Open Access Publication:
Davis, Amanda Rose, Mohammed Hassan Ali, and Lisa Thompson
2023 Climate Change and Displacement: Anthropological Perspectives on Environmental Migration. Human Organization 82(1): 67-84. Electronic document, https://www.sfaa.net/ho/vol82/iss1/davis-climate-displacement, accessed March 15, 2023.
Early Online Publication:
Peterson, Carl Douglas
2023 Ritual Performance and Social Media: New Forms of Cultural Expression. Journal of Anthropological Research. Published electronically February 28, 2023. DOI: 10.1086/724567
AAA Style Guidelines
Unique AAA Formatting:
AAA style uses a distinctive hanging indent format with the year on a separate line, aligned with the author's name.
Author Name Conventions:
Use full first and middle names when available. List authors in the order they appear on the publication.
Journal Title Format:
Write journal titles in full without abbreviation. Italicize journal names and use title case.
Anthropological Source Evaluation:
When selecting sources, consider:
- Methodological rigor in ethnographic research
- Reflexivity and positionality of the researcher
- Ethical considerations in fieldwork and representation
- Community collaboration and consent processes
- Cultural sensitivity in analysis and interpretation
Ethical Research Practices:
Anthropological research often involves working with communities and individuals. Ensure cited sources demonstrate:
- Informed consent from research participants
- Appropriate anonymization and confidentiality measures
- Community benefit and reciprocity considerations
- Attention to power dynamics and colonial legacies
Interdisciplinary Integration:
Anthropology often draws from multiple disciplines. When citing interdisciplinary sources, maintain consistency with AAA format while acknowledging diverse methodological approaches.