Mastering APA Citations: A Comprehensive Guide to Citing the CDC
Properly citing sources is a cornerstone of academic integrity and scholarly communication. When using information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a reliable and authoritative source for public health information, it’s crucial to follow the American Psychological Association (APA) style guidelines meticulously. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the intricacies of citing the CDC in APA format, covering various types of CDC publications and providing detailed, step-by-step instructions.
## Why Accurate Citations Matter
Before diving into the specifics of APA citation, let’s emphasize why accurate citations are essential:
* **Acknowledging Sources:** Citations give credit to the original authors and organizations whose work you’ve used, preventing plagiarism.
* **Enhancing Credibility:** Properly cited sources demonstrate that your work is based on credible information and research.
* **Providing Transparency:** Citations allow readers to locate the sources you used, enabling them to verify your information and explore the topic further.
* **Building Trust:** Consistent and accurate citations build trust with your audience and demonstrate your commitment to academic rigor.
## Understanding APA Citation Basics
APA style uses a two-part citation system:
1. **In-text citations:** Brief references within the body of your paper, providing immediate source identification.
2. **Reference list:** A comprehensive list at the end of your paper, providing full bibliographic information for each source.
For the CDC, the organization itself often acts as the author. Let’s delve into how to cite different types of CDC publications in both in-text and reference list entries.
## Citing CDC Reports and Publications
The CDC publishes a wide array of reports, fact sheets, guidelines, and other materials. Here’s how to cite some of the most common types:
### 1. Citing a CDC Report with Individual Authors and the CDC as the Publisher
This type of citation applies when a report has named authors *and* is published by the CDC. This is less common as the CDC is often considered the author.
**Reference List Entry:**
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). *Title of report* (Report Number). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
**Example:**
Smith, J. R., Jones, L. M., & Williams, K. A. (2023). *National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 72, No. 8: Provisional Mortality Data for 2022* (NVSR-72-8). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
**In-text Citation:**
* (Smith et al., 2023)
* Smith et al. (2023) found that…
**Explanation:**
* List the authors’ last names and initials.
* Include the publication year in parentheses.
* Italicize the title of the report.
* Include the report number in parentheses, if available.
* Specify “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” as the publisher.
* In-text citations use the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) if there are three or more authors.
### 2. Citing a CDC Report with the CDC as the Author
This is the most common scenario for CDC publications.
**Reference List Entry:**
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Year). *Title of report* (Report Number). [URL if accessed online]
**Example:**
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). *Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey, 2021* (DHHS Publication No. 2023-1234). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/index.htm
**In-text Citation:**
* (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023)
* (CDC, 2023) *after the first citation*
* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023) reported…
* CDC (2023) found that…
**Explanation:**
* Use “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” as the author.
* Include the publication year in parentheses.
* Italicize the title of the report.
* Include the report number in parentheses, if available.
* If the report was accessed online, include the URL at the end. Omit “Retrieved from” or “Accessed from.” Just include the direct URL.
* After the first citation, you can use the abbreviation “CDC” in subsequent in-text citations.
### 3. Citing a Page on the CDC Website (Non-Report)
This applies to general information pages on the CDC website that are not formal reports.
**Reference List Entry:**
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Year, Month Day). *Title of page*. [URL]
**Example:**
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, October 26). *Flu Symptoms & Complications*. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm
**In-text Citation:**
* (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023)
* (CDC, 2023) *after the first citation*
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023) states that…
* CDC (2023) emphasizes the importance of…
**Explanation:**
* Use “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” as the author.
* Include the publication date (Year, Month Day) if available. If only the year is available, use that.
* Italicize the title of the web page.
* Include the URL at the end.
* After the first citation, you can use the abbreviation “CDC” in subsequent in-text citations.
### 4. Citing a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
MMWR is a frequently cited publication from the CDC.
**Reference List Entry:**
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Year, Month Day). *Title of article*. *Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Volume(Issue),* Pages. [DOI or URL]
**Example with DOI:**
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, October 27). *Update: Influenza Activity — United States, 2022–23 Season*. *Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(43),* 1169-1178. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7243a1
**Example with URL (if no DOI):**
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, October 27). *Update: Influenza Activity — United States, 2022–23 Season*. *Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(43),* 1169-1178. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7243a1.htm
**In-text Citation:**
* (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023)
* (CDC, 2023) *after the first citation*
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023) noted…
* CDC (2023) reported an increase in…
**Explanation:**
* Use “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” as the author.
* Include the publication date (Year, Month Day).
* Italicize the title of the journal (*Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report*) and the journal volume.
* Include the issue number in parentheses after the volume.
* Include the page range.
* Provide the DOI if available. If no DOI, provide the URL.
* After the first citation, you can use the abbreviation “CDC” in subsequent in-text citations.
### 5. Citing Data from CDC WONDER
CDC WONDER (Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research) is a valuable source for public health statistics.
**Reference List Entry:**
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (Year). *CDC WONDER*. [URL of the WONDER interface, not the specific query]
**Example:**
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2023). *CDC WONDER*. https://wonder.cdc.gov/
**In-text Citation:**
* (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, 2023)
* (CDC, NCHS, 2023) *after the first citation*
* Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics (2023) shows…
* CDC, NCHS (2023) indicates…
**Important Considerations for CDC WONDER:**
* **Specify the Database:** Within your text, clearly indicate the specific database you used within CDC WONDER (e.g., Underlying Cause of Death database).
* **Date of Access:** APA 7th edition does *not* require an access date unless the source material is likely to change over time, which isn’t usually the case with datasets like those in CDC WONDER. If the data *is* likely to change, include the access date: `Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL`.
* **Consider the Complexity:** If you used highly specific search criteria or performed complex analyses, consider including a supplemental materials section with details of your query for reproducibility.
* **National Center for Health Statistics:** Note the inclusion of the “National Center for Health Statistics” as part of the author string because NCHS is responsible for collecting and maintaining a large portion of the data housed within CDC WONDER.
### 6. Citing a CDC Infographic
Infographics are visual representations of data and information, and the CDC produces many informative ones.
**Reference List Entry:**
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Year, Month Day). *Title of infographic* [Infographic]. [URL]
**Example:**
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, November 15). *Preventing Tick Bites* [Infographic]. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/index.html
**In-text Citation:**
* (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023)
* (CDC, 2023) *after the first citation*
* The CDC (2023) infographic on tick bite prevention highlights…
* As illustrated in the CDC’s (2023) infographic…
**Explanation:**
* Include “[Infographic]” after the title to indicate the format.
## General Tips for Citing the CDC in APA
* **Consistency is Key:** Maintain consistent formatting throughout your paper for both in-text citations and reference list entries.
* **Double-Check Your Citations:** Carefully review all citations for accuracy before submitting your work. Typos and formatting errors can undermine your credibility.
* **Use a Citation Management Tool:** Consider using a citation management tool like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote to help you organize your sources and generate citations in APA format automatically. These tools can significantly streamline the citation process and reduce errors.
* **Consult the APA Publication Manual:** For the most authoritative guidance on APA style, consult the *Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association* (7th edition). This manual provides comprehensive rules and examples for all aspects of APA citation.
* **When in Doubt, Cite:** If you’re unsure whether to cite a source, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and include a citation. Over-citing is preferable to plagiarism.
* **Abbreviations:** When using abbreviations like “CDC” or “NCHS,” define them at first use in the text. For example: “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) …” After the first instance, you can use the abbreviation.
* **No Author?:** If a specific document has no author listed (which is uncommon for CDC publications, as they generally use the organization as the author), use the title of the document in the in-text citation and reference list. Shorten the title in the in-text citation if it’s lengthy.
* **Direct Quotes:** When directly quoting the CDC, always include the page number or paragraph number (if page numbers are not available) in the in-text citation. For example: (CDC, 2023, p. 15) or (CDC, 2023, para. 3).
* **Stay Updated:** APA style evolves. Regularly check the APA Style website or blog for updates and clarifications to the guidelines.
* **DOI vs. URL:** If a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is available, use it in the reference list entry. A DOI is a permanent, unique identifier for an electronic document. If there is no DOI, use the URL.
* **Specific vs. General URLs:** Provide the *most specific* URL possible that leads directly to the cited document. Avoid providing generic URLs for the CDC website’s homepage.
## Examples of Common CDC Topics and Potential Citations
Let’s look at how these guidelines might apply in practice for different public health topics.
**Example 1: Reporting on Flu Vaccination Rates**
>According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023), flu vaccination rates among adults aged 65 and older remain lower than recommended.
In the reference list:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, September 29). *Key Facts About Influenza (Flu)*. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm
**Example 2: Discussing Childhood Obesity Prevalence using CDC WONDER Data**
>Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics (2023) reveals a concerning trend in childhood obesity rates across various demographic groups.
In the reference list:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2023). *CDC WONDER*. https://wonder.cdc.gov/
**Example 3: Referencing MMWR data on a foodborne illness outbreak:**
>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023) reported on a recent outbreak of Salmonella linked to contaminated produce.
In the reference list:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, November 3). *Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to [Specific Food]*. *Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(44)*, 1201-1205. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7244a1
**Example 4: Referencing Antibiotic Resistance**
> The CDC (2023) notes that antibiotic resistance is a growing threat to public health.
In the reference list:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, July 26). *About Antibiotic Resistance*. https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/about.html
## Troubleshooting Common Citation Issues
* **Missing Information:** If you’re missing information (e.g., publication date, author), try to locate it using other sources. If the information is truly unavailable, use the abbreviation “n.d.” (for “no date”) in place of the year, or omit the author if none is listed. However, always strive to find complete information.
* **Long URLs:** If a URL is excessively long, you can use a URL shortener (e.g., TinyURL, Bitly). However, APA recommends using the original URL whenever possible.
* **Database Information:** When citing information retrieved from a specific database (like CDC WONDER), be sure to mention the database name within the text of your paper.
## Conclusion
Citing the CDC accurately in APA format is essential for maintaining academic integrity and ensuring the credibility of your work. By following these guidelines and paying attention to detail, you can confidently cite CDC publications and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in public health and related fields. Remember to consult the APA Publication Manual for the most comprehensive and up-to-date guidance. With practice and attention to detail, you’ll master the art of citing the CDC and other sources effectively in APA style.