In my role as a writer and researcher, I frequently encounter the need to reference different sources in my work. Among these, YouTube videos are a commonly used resource. In modern times, YouTube has emerged as a significant platform for sharing educational material, interviews, and presentations. However, when incorporating YouTube videos in academic writing, it is crucial to adhere to the guidelines outlined by the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition. In this piece, I will walk you through the steps of citing a YouTube video in compliance with the APA 7th edition, offering my own insights and commentary throughout the process.
Step 1: Identify the Elements of a YouTube Video Citation
Before we dive into the citation process, let’s first understand the elements that make up a YouTube video citation in APA 7th edition. A proper citation includes the following:
- Author(s) or screen name(s)
- Date of publication or upload
- Title of the video
- Description of the video (optional)
- URL
By including these elements, we provide enough information to locate and verify the YouTube video being cited.
Step 2: Format the YouTube Video Citation
Now that we know what elements to include, let’s look at how to format the citation. The general format for citing a YouTube video in APA 7th edition is as follows:
Author(s). (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. URL
Let’s break down each element and see how it translates into an actual citation.
Author(s) or Screen Name(s)
The first element of the citation is the author(s) or screen name(s) of the YouTube video. This could be an individual’s name or the name of a group or organization. If an individual’s name is available, list the last name followed by the initials. If there is no individual author, use the screen name of the channel or account that uploaded the video.
Date of Publication or Upload
The next element is the date of publication or upload. Include the year, followed by the month and day in parentheses. If the specific date is not available, use the year of publication or upload.
Title of the Video
Provide the title of the video in sentence case, capitalizing only the first word and any proper nouns. Enclose the title in square brackets to indicate that it is the title of a video.
Description of the Video (Optional)
While not required, you can include a brief description of the video in square brackets. This can help provide additional context or highlight specific aspects of the video that are relevant to your citation.
URL
Finally, include the URL of the YouTube video. To ensure the link is clickable in your citation, wrap it in an anchor tag. Make sure the URL leads directly to the video itself, not just the channel or user profile page.
Step 3: Putting It All Together
Now that we understand how to format each element, let’s put it all together into a complete citation. Here’s an example:
Smith, J. (2021, January 15). The Importance of Sleep [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
Remember to adjust the formatting based on the specifics of the YouTube video you are citing.
Conclusion
Citing YouTube videos in APA 7th edition may seem daunting at first, but by following the guidelines and format outlined in this article, you can accurately and confidently include YouTube videos as sources in your academic writing. Remember, accurate citations not only give proper credit to the content creators but also enhance the credibility and reliability of your own work.
Happy citing!