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How to Cite a Case Study in APA Format - A Step-by-Step Guide with Examples

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Case studies are important tools for the academic and professional world, offering in-depth investigations into specific circumstances, organizations, or individuals. Whether a student investigating a business situation, a researcher examining a social phenomenon, or a professional reporting on project results, case studies provide rich and detailed information. To maintain academic integrity and professional credibility, these sources must be properly referenced, and APA format is the standard style for such citations.

Citation is important because it:

  • Credits the original authors' work.
     
  • Strengthens your research or analysis.
     
  • Prevents misrepresentation of the original authors' intentions.

The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used in disciplines such as social science, education, and business. This guide provides step-by-step instructions, practical examples, and answers to frequently asked questions to help you confidently cite case studies in APA format.

What Is APA Format?

APA format refers to a set of rules governing academic writing, developed by the American Psychological Association.

Its primary purpose is to standardize:

  • Paper formatting.
     
  • In-text citations.
     
  • Reference list creation.


 

The APA 7th edition (latest version) emphasizes clarity, consistency, and accessibility to enhance readability and understanding.

Why Cite a Case Study?

Citing a case study is an ethical requirement in academic and professional work. Proper citation:

  • Acknowledges intellectual property and avoids plagiarism.
     
  • Allows readers to locate and verify your sources.
     
  • Enhances the credibility of your research.

Types of Case Studies

Case studies can come from various sources, each requiring slight variations in APA citation:

  1. Published in a book
     
  2. Online (from a website)
     
  3. From an academic journal
     
  4. From an organizational report

Understanding these differences ensures accurate citations.

How to Cite a Case Study in APA Format

Proper citation builds trust with readers by demonstrating credible sourcing and eliminating plagiarism concerns. Follow This Steps:

Step 1: Gather Necessary Information

Collect the following details:

  • Author(s)
     
  • Year of publication
     
  • Title of the case study
     
  • Publisher (for books/reports)
     
  • Website name and URL (for online sources)
     
  • DOI (for journal articles)

Step 2: Format the Reference List Entry

General APA format for a case study:

Author(s). (Year). *Title of the case study*. Publisher. URL (if applicable)
 

Examples for Different Sources:

  1. Published Case Study in a Book:

    Author(s). (Year). Title of the case study. In Editor(s) (Ed.), *Book Title* (pp. page numbers). Publisher.

  2. Online Case Study:

    Author(s). (Year). *Title of the case study*. Website Name. URL

  3. Case Study from a Journal:

    Author(s). (Year). Title of the case study. *Journal Name*, *Volume*(Issue), page numbers. DOI or URL 

Step 3: In-Text Citations

  • One author: (Author, Year)

  • Two authors: (Author1 & Author2, Year)
     
  • Three or more authors: (Author1 et al., Year)

Example:

(Michael, 2024) 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Missing information – Ensure all required details are included.

  2. Incorrect formatting – Pay attention to italics, punctuation, and capitalization.
     
  3. Forgetting URL/DOI – Always include for online sources.
     
  4. Mixing formats – Maintain consistency between in-text and reference list citations.

Tools and Resources

  • APA citation generators (e.g., Scribbr, Citation Machine).

  • APA Style official website – For updated guidelines.
     
  • University writing centers – For personalized assistance.

Always double-check citations generated by these tools.

Special Cases in APA Case Study Citations

1. How to Cite a Published Case Study in APA?

Include:

  • Author(s)
     
  • Publication year
     
  • Case study title
     
  • Editor(s) and book title (if applicable)
     
  • Page numbers
     
  • Publisher

2. How to Cite an Online Case Study in APA?

Include:

  • Author(s)
     
  • Publication year
     
  • Case study title
     
  • Website name
     
  • Direct URL

3. How to Cite a Case Study from a Book in APA?

Follow the standard book citation format, including:

  • Author(s) of the case study
     
  • Year
     
  • Title of the case study
     
  • Editor(s) and book title (italicized)
     
  • Page range
     
  • Publisher

4. How to Cite a Case Study from a Journal in APA?

Include:

  • Author(s)
     
  • Year
     
  • Title of the case study
     
  • Journal name (italicized)
     
  • Volume and issue number
     
  • Page numbers
     
  • DOI or URL (if online)

5. How to Cite a Case Study with Multiple Authors?

  • List all authors (up to 20).

  • For 21+ authors, list the first 19, then an ellipsis (…), followed by the last author.

6. How to Cite a Case Study with No Date?

Use "n.d." (no date) in place of the year.

FAQs

  1. How do I cite a case study with no author?

    • Use the case study title in place of the author’s name.

  2. How do I cite an unpublished case study?

    • Include the author, year (if available), title, and note "Unpublished manuscript."

  3. What if the case study doesn’t have a date?

    • Use "n.d." (no date) in place of the year.

  4. How do I cite a case study with multiple authors?

    • List all authors (up to 20). For more than 20, list the first 19, then an ellipsis (…) and the last author.

Conclusion

Properly citing case studies in APA format is essential for maintaining academic and professional integrity. By Following these steps for citing case studies in APA format—gathering necessary information, formatting references correctly, avoiding common mistakes, and using available tools—you can ensure accurate and credible citations.

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