Pew Research Center is a well-respected non-profit organization that conducts surveys and research on a variety of topics, including social, political, and economic trends. If you’re using Pew Research data in your academic writing, it’s important to cite it properly using the American Psychological Association (APA) style.
This article will guide you through the process of citing Pew Research in APA format, both in-text and in your reference list.
In-Text Citations
There are two main ways to cite Pew Research in your text:
1. Parenthetical Citations:
This method places the citation information in parentheses at the end of the sentence containing the information you’re referencing.
For example:
“According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, a majority of Americans believe that climate change is a serious problem (Pew Research Center, 2023).”
2. Narrative Citations:
This method incorporates the author and year of publication directly into the sentence.
For example:
“Pew Research Center (2023) found that a majority of Americans believe that climate change is a serious problem.”
Tips for In-Text Citations:
- Author Name: If the author of the Pew Research study is clearly stated, use their last name and year of publication. If the author is not specified, use “Pew Research Center” as the author name.
- Shortened Title: If you’re citing multiple studies by Pew Research Center, include a shortened version of the study’s title after the year to help the reader identify the specific source.
- Specific Information: If you’re citing a specific piece of data from the study, include the page number or paragraph number where you found the information.
Reference List Entries
APA style requires a reference list at the end of your paper. This list contains complete bibliographic information for all sources cited in your text.
General Format for a Pew Research Center Reference:
Author(s). (Year). Title of report or study. Pew Research Center. [Link to report]
Example:
Pew Research Center. (2023). The State of American Politics. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/
Additional Notes:
- Author: If the author is specified, use the author’s name. If the author is not specified, use “Pew Research Center” as the author.
- Title: Use the full title of the report or study.
- Publisher: Always include “Pew Research Center” as the publisher.
- Link: Include a permanent link to the report if available.
How to Find the Right Citation Information
1. The Pew Research Website: Most Pew Research reports provide citation information at the top or bottom of the page. This information often includes the author’s name, publication date, and the title of the report.
2. APA Citation Generators: There are several online APA citation generators available. Simply paste the URL of the Pew Research report into the generator, and it will generate the correct citation information for you.
3. Library Resources: Your university library may have online databases or citation guides that can help you format citations for Pew Research reports.
Common Questions About Citing Pew Research
1. What if the author is not specified?
If the author is not specified, use “Pew Research Center” as the author name.
2. What if the report doesn’t have a DOI?
If the report doesn’t have a DOI, include the direct URL to the report.
3. What if I’m citing multiple studies from the same year?
To differentiate between multiple studies from the same year, use lowercase letters (a, b, c) after the year (e.g., 2023a, 2023b).
4. What if I only need to cite a specific section of a report?
If you’re only citing a specific section of a report, include the section title and paragraph number in your in-text citation.
5. Can I cite a Pew Research infographic?
Yes, you can cite a Pew Research infographic. Include the author (if specified), publication date, title of the infographic, and source URL in your reference list.
Example of a Properly Cited Pew Research Report
“According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 63% of Americans believe that climate change is a serious problem (Pew Research Center, 2023). The survey also found that a majority of Americans believe that climate change is a problem that is happening now (Pew Research Center, 2023). These findings suggest that public opinion on climate change is shifting in a direction that may lead to increased policy action.”
Reference List Entry:
Pew Research Center. (2023). The State of American Politics. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you are properly citing Pew Research data in your academic writing. Remember to double-check your citations for accuracy and consistency.
Remember: Accuracy and consistency in your citations are critical. If you are unsure about how to cite Pew Research data, consult your instructor or a reliable citation guide.