APA for personal interview is a crucial aspect of academic writing and research. When conducting interviews as part of your research, it is essential to document and reference the information accurately. The American Psychological Association (APA) style provides guidelines on how to format and cite personal interviews in your papers. In this article, we will discuss the key elements of APA for personal interview and provide examples to help you understand the process better.
Firstly, it is important to note that personal interviews are considered primary sources of information. As such, they should be cited in the text and listed in the reference list. According to APA guidelines, personal interviews should be formatted with quotation marks and parentheses to indicate the speaker and the year of the interview.
Here is an example of how to cite a personal interview in the text:
According to Smith (2020), the key factors influencing the success of the new policy were its implementation and stakeholder engagement (p. 45).
In the reference list, personal interviews should be listed alphabetically by the last name of the interviewee. The format should include the interviewee’s last name, first initial, the interviewee’s title, “Personal interview,” the interview date, and the researcher’s contact information. Here’s an example:
Smith, J. (Interviewee). (2020, January 15). Personal interview.
In some cases, you may need to include additional information in the reference list, such as the name of the person who conducted the interview or the organization that sponsored the interview. Here’s an example:
Johnson, L. (Interviewee). (2020, February 20). Personal interview. Conducted by: Smith, J. Sponsored by: ABC Corporation.
When paraphrasing information from a personal interview, it is essential to maintain the original meaning and avoid plagiarism. APA recommends using indirect quotes and paraphrasing the content in your own words. Here’s an example:
During the interview, Smith emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement in the policy’s success, stating that it was crucial to involve all relevant parties in the decision-making process.
Lastly, it is important to note that personal interviews should be conducted ethically and with the consent of the interviewee. In your paper, you should acknowledge the interviewee’s contribution to your research and provide them with a copy of the published work, if applicable.
In conclusion, APA for personal interview is an essential component of academic writing and research. By following the guidelines provided by the American Psychological Association, you can ensure that your personal interviews are accurately documented and referenced. Remember to obtain consent from your interviewees, conduct interviews ethically, and properly format and cite the information in your paper.
