APA question re: Do I put initials behind the names?

Nursing Students Student Assist

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When I am making my bibliography and using apa style format, am I to include the titles or credential initials ( not sure what those are called)... behind the authors name?

Example: Swallow, Veronica, RGN,RSCN,BSC,MMedsci. ??????? This gal has a lot of initials behind her name phew!!. I am so lost on this apa stuff.

Thanks.

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When I am making my bibliography and using apa style format, am I to include the titles or credential initials ( not sure what those are called)... behind the authors name?

Example: Swallow, Veronica, RGN,RSCN,BSC,MMedsci. ??????? This gal has a lot of initials behind her name phew!!. I am so lost on this apa stuff.

Thanks.

No, you don't include titles or credentials for APA format. In fact, in APA journals, the credentials aren't listed with the author's name, but can be found in the author notes (I am specifically referring to journals of the American Psychological Association - I know they're listed in some nursing journals). Also, don't spell out the first name. So, for Ms. Swallow, an example would be: Swallown, V. (200X). How to cite my source. American Journal of Citations, 11, 17-20.

Are you actually doing a bibliography or a reference list?

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

Great advice. I agree - no credentials or alphabet soup behind name. Just last name, first & second initial. Here is an excellent reference for APA:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/research/PDFs/r_apa.pdf

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Thanks, VickyRN. While I have some time until I start, I like to gather information such as this for future reference.

Great advice. I agree - no credentials or alphabet soup behind name. Just last name, first & second initial. Here is an excellent reference for APA:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/research/PDFs/r_apa.pdf

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Thanks for all the info. I have a lab on apa tomorrow so will ask the instructor about the initials. And according to our apa book we do put the full first and last name in...

:)

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Thanks for all the info. I have a lab on apa tomorrow so will ask the instructor about the initials. And according to our apa book we do put the full first and last name in...

:)

I don't want you or anyone else to be confused on this, so ...

I am not sure what APA book you are using, but the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.) does not say to put the full first name in the reference. What the manual says, specifically, is, "Invert all authors' names; give surnames and initials for only up to and including six authors. When authors number seven or more, abbreviate the seventh and subsequent..." The only time you use the full name is for a group author, such as the American Nurses Association. If you have this book, then you can look it up on p. 224.

Learning APA style can be very frustrating. I groaned and complained when I had to take an entire course on it for my doctoral work. However, with each subsequent course, I have thanked the Lord that I had that class, because it has made things much easier for me!

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Yep, you are right. Thanks for referring me to the text page. The apa format is very confusing.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

A good resource for APA is Cites & Sources by Haig, Raikes and Sutherland published by Thompson Nelson.

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Yep, you are right. Thanks for referring me to the text page. The apa format is very confusing.

You bet it is! And once you get it all down, they'll come out with another edition!

Good luck with your paper.

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