ASA In-Text Citations

    Master ASA's author-date citation system for sociological literature

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    Published: September 15, 2025
    By heypaperhero Team

    Author-Date Citation System

    ASA style uses an author-date system similar to APA, with parenthetical citations that include the author's surname and publication year.

    ✓ Correct

    Social mobility has declined (Smith 2023).

    ✗ Incorrect

    Social mobility has declined (Smith, J. 2023, p. 45).

    Basic Citation Formats

    Single Author

    Research shows inequality is increasing (Wilson 2023).

    Two Authors

    Educational outcomes vary by class (Smith and Jones 2023).

    Three or More Authors

    Social networks influence behavior (Brown et al. 2023).

    Author in Text

    According to Durkheim (1897), social integration affects suicide rates.

    Page Numbers and Direct Quotes

    Include page numbers for direct quotes and specific references. ASA prefers page numbers for all citations when possible.

    Direct Quote

    "Social class fundamentally shapes life chances" (Wilson 2023:45).

    Paraphrase with Page Number

    Educational inequality persists across generations (Smith 2023:78-80).

    Multiple Pages

    The methodology was comprehensive (Brown et al. 2023:15-17, 23-25).

    Multiple Citations and Special Cases

    Multiple Sources

    Several studies confirm this pattern (Brown 2022; Smith 2023; Wilson 2023).

    Same Author, Multiple Years

    Research consistently shows this trend (Smith 2021, 2022, 2023).

    Same Author, Same Year

    Multiple studies examine this issue (Smith 2023a, 2023b).

    No Author

    Statistics show increasing poverty ("Poverty Report" 2023).

    Electronic Sources

    For electronic sources without page numbers, use paragraph numbers or section headings when available.

    Paragraph Numbers

    Online education is transforming higher education (Johnson 2023:para. 3).

    No Page/Paragraph Numbers

    Digital divide issues persist (Technology Today 2023).

    Common Mistakes

    ⚠ Avoid These Errors

    • • Including first names or initials in citations
    • • Using "&" instead of "and" between authors
    • • Forgetting page numbers for quotes
    • • Using "p." before page numbers (use colon instead)
    • • Incorrect punctuation in multiple citations
    • • Inconsistent citation format throughout paper