ASA Journal Article Citations

    Learn to cite sociological journal articles, social research, and peer-reviewed studies using the American Sociological Association (ASA) style guidelines.

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    Published: September 15, 2025
    By heypaperhero Team

    ASA Journal Article Format

    The American Sociological Association (ASA) style uses an author-date citation system with specific formatting requirements for sociological and social science literature.

    Standard Format:

    Author, First Name. Year. "Title of Article." Journal Name Volume(Issue):Page Range.

    Sociology Research Examples

    Single Author - Empirical Study:

    Martinez, Elena. 2023. "Digital Inequality and Educational Outcomes in Rural Communities." American Sociological Review 88(3):456-482.

    In-text citation: Recent research highlights persistent digital divides (Martinez 2023).

    Multiple Authors - Qualitative Research:

    Johnson, Robert, Sarah Kim, and Michael Thompson. 2023. "Gentrification and Community Displacement: Voices from the Neighborhood." Social Problems 70(2):234-259.

    In-text citation: Community members report feeling displaced (Johnson, Kim, and Thompson 2023).

    Theoretical Article:

    Chen, Li Wei. 2023. "Rethinking Social Capital in the Digital Age: Networks, Trust, and Virtual Communities." Sociological Theory 41(1):78-103.

    In-text citation: New theoretical frameworks are needed for digital societies (Chen 2023).

    Social Research Publications

    Ethnographic Study:

    Rodriguez, Ana Sofia. 2023. "Living on the Margins: An Ethnography of Undocumented Immigrants in Urban America." Journal of Contemporary Ethnography 49(4):567-594.

    Quantitative Analysis:

    Williams, James Patrick, Karen Lee Anderson, and David Michael Brown. 2023. "Income Inequality and Social Mobility: A 30-Year Panel Study." Social Forces 101(3):1123-1148.

    Mixed-Methods Research:

    Taylor, Rebecca Anne and Mohammad Hassan Ali. 2023. "Religious Identity and Political Participation Among Young Adults: A Mixed-Methods Approach." Sociology of Religion 84(2):189-215.

    Special Publication Types

    Research Note:

    Foster, Jennifer Lynn. 2023. "Methodological Considerations in Online Survey Research: A Research Note." Sociological Methods & Research 52(1):45-52.

    Book Review:

    Peterson, Carl Douglas. 2023. "Review of 'The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness' by Michelle Alexander." Contemporary Sociology 52(3):234-236.

    Commentary/Response:

    Garcia, Maria Isabel. 2023. "Response to 'Social Media and Political Polarization': The Role of Echo Chambers." Public Opinion Quarterly 87(2):456-459.

    Online and Digital Sources

    Online Journal Article with DOI:

    Kumar, Rajesh and Lisa Marie Thompson. 2023. "Global Migration Patterns and Local Community Responses." International Migration Review 57(2):345-372. doi:10.1177/01979183221145789

    Open Access Article:

    O'Brien, Patrick Sean, Emma Charlotte Wilson, and Ahmed Hassan Mohammed. 2023. "Climate Change and Environmental Justice: A Sociological Analysis." Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World 9:1-15. Retrieved March 15, 2023 (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/23780231221987654).

    Early Online Publication:

    Davis, Amanda Rose. 2023. "Social Movements in the Digital Era: Hashtag Activism and Political Change." Social Movement Studies. Published online ahead of print February 28, 2023. doi:10.1080/14742837.2023.2178456

    ASA Style Guidelines

    Author Name Format:

    List authors in the order they appear on the publication. Use full first names when available, not just initials.

    Journal Title Formatting:

    Write out journal titles in full. Do not use abbreviations unless they are part of the official title.

    Page Number Format:

    Include full page ranges (e.g., 456-482, not 456-82). Use "Pp." before page numbers only when citing chapters in edited volumes.

    Quality Assessment for Sociology:

    When selecting sources, prioritize:

    • Peer-reviewed journals with strong methodological standards
    • Research that clearly describes methodology and data sources
    • Studies with appropriate sample sizes and representative populations
    • Theoretical work that builds on established sociological traditions

    Ethical Considerations:

    Be mindful of research ethics, particularly when citing studies involving vulnerable populations or sensitive topics common in sociological research.