how to cite a survey in apa

Daniel Parker

3 min read

·

31-01-2025

1

0

Share

Surveys are a common research method, yielding valuable data for academic papers. Knowing how to correctly cite a survey in APA style is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and giving credit where it's due. This guide will walk you through different scenarios, from citing a published survey report to citing data obtained from a survey you conducted yourself.

Citing Published Survey Reports

If you're using data or findings from a published survey report (e.g., a report from a market research firm, government agency, or academic journal), the citation will resemble a standard APA citation for a report or article. The key is to identify the author(s) and publication information accurately.

Example 1: A report with a named author or organization

Let's say you're using data from a Pew Research Center report.

• In-text citation: (Pew Research Center, 2023)

• Reference entry:

Pew Research Center. (2023). Title of the report. [URL if available].

Replace the bracketed information with the actual title and URL. If there's a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), include that instead of the URL.

Example 2: Report without a named author

If the report doesn't list a specific author or organization, cite the name of the organization that published the report.

• In-text citation: (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022)

• Reference entry:

U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). Title of the report. [URL or DOI].

Citing Data from Your Own Survey

When you've conducted your own survey, the citation process is slightly different. You won't have a published report to cite; instead, you'll describe your methodology in the text. You won't create a separate reference entry for the survey itself, but you will need to fully describe your methods in your methods section.

In-text citation: You don't need a formal parenthetical citation for your own data within the main text, as it's understood to be from your research. However, you will need to present detailed information about your survey's methodology in your methods section.

Methods Section Details: The methods section of your paper should clearly articulate:

• Population: Describe the population you sampled from.
• Sample size: State the number of participants in your survey.
• Sampling method: Explain how you selected your participants (random sampling, convenience sampling, etc.).
• Survey instrument: Detail the type of survey used (e.g., questionnaire, interview), and provide information about the questions asked (you may include the questionnaire as an appendix).
• Data collection methods: Explain how the survey was administered (online, in-person, etc.) and what measures were taken to ensure ethical procedures and valid data.
• Data analysis techniques: Specify the statistical methods used to analyze your data.

Citing Specific Survey Questions

If you're quoting or paraphrasing responses from your survey, you can handle this as you would any direct quote. Clearly indicate the context of the quote or paraphrased information.

Example: "Many participants reported feeling overwhelmed by the workload" (Participant 3, Survey, 2024). Note: Here, "Survey, 2024" acts as a placeholder. You might replace this with the exact title of your survey, or, if your study is unpublished, you can omit this parenthetical.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Inconsistent formatting: Make sure all elements of your citations (author, date, title, etc.) are formatted according to APA guidelines.
• Missing essential information: Ensure you include all necessary information for readers to locate the source.
• Incorrect use of et al.: Use "et al." correctly only when citing works with three or more authors.
• Improper in-text citation: Always connect in-text citations to the appropriate entry in your References page.

By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately cite surveys in your APA-style papers. Remember to always consult the latest edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for the most up-to-date guidelines.