How Do You Cite A Press Release In Apa

How Do You Cite a Press Release in APA Style? A Comprehensive Guide

Press releases, those concise announcements disseminating information to the media and public, often serve as valuable sources for research papers and articles. However, accurately citing a press release within the APA (American Psychological Association) style can be tricky due to their unique nature. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, covering various scenarios and providing detailed examples to ensure your citations are impeccable.

Understanding APA Citation Basics

Before delving into the specifics of press release citations, let's briefly review fundamental APA principles. APA style prioritizes clarity, consistency, and accuracy. The core elements of an APA citation typically include:

• Author: The individual or organization responsible for the press release.
• Date: The date the press release was issued.
• Title: The title of the press release.
• Source: Where the press release was found (website, database, etc.).
• URL (if applicable): The direct link to the online press release.

Citing a Press Release: Different Scenarios

The method of citing a press release depends largely on where you accessed it. Here are common scenarios and their respective citation methods:

Scenario 1: Press Release Found on a Company Website

This is the most common scenario. The citation will generally include the company as the author, the release date, the title, and the URL.

Example:

Acme Corporation. (2023, October 26). Acme launches revolutionary new widget.

Key Points:

• Author: Use the company name as the author.
• Date: Use the date the press release was issued. Pay close attention to the date format (Month Day, Year)
• Title: Italicize the title of the press release. Capitalize only the first letter of the first word and any proper nouns.
• Source: Indicate "[Press release]" in brackets.
• Retrieval Information: Include the URL in angle brackets. Ensure the URL is accurate and functioning.

Scenario 2: Press Release from a News Wire Service (e.g., PR Newswire, Business Wire)

News wire services often distribute press releases. Your citation should credit the service as the source, but also include the originating company if possible.

Example:

Business Wire. (2024, January 15). Innovative Biotech Firm Announces Breakthrough in Cancer Research.

Key Points:

• Author: Use the news wire service (Business Wire in this case) as the author. If the originating company is clearly identified, you might add it after the date in parentheses, like this: (Business Wire. (2024, January 15). Innovative Biotech Firm Announces Breakthrough in Cancer Research. [Press release] (Originating company: Nova Therapeutics, Inc.). Retrieved from [URL])
• Date: The date the press release appeared on the news wire service.
• Title: Follow the same capitalization rules as in Scenario 1.
• Source: "[Press release]" remains essential.

Scenario 3: Press Release from a Database

If you accessed the press release through a database like LexisNexis or ProQuest, you'll need to include the database information in your citation.

Example:

XYZ Corporation. (2023, December 10). XYZ Corporation Announces Record Profits. [Press release]. LexisNexis Academic database.

Key Points:

• Author: The company issuing the press release.
• Date: Date of the press release.
• Title: Italicized title.
• Source: Indicate "[Press release]" and then specify the database name in italics. Database information is crucial for others to locate the same source. A DOI or accession number, if available, should also be included.

Scenario 4: Press Release with a Contact Person

Some press releases might list a contact person. While not always necessary, including this information can add a layer of verification for your research.

Example:

Smith, J. (2024, February 20). New Research Highlights Importance of Sleep. (Contact: Jane Smith, jane.smith@sleepresearch.org)

Key Points:

• Author: The contact person is included as the author if known and relevant to the research. If the organization is more pertinent, use the organization as author.
• Date: Date of the press release.
• Title: Italicized title.
• Contact Information: Add contact information in parentheses at the end.

In-Text Citations

When referencing a press release within the body of your paper, you'll need an in-text citation. The style depends on whether you're quoting or paraphrasing:

Paraphrasing:

If paraphrasing, include the author and year. For example:

Acme Corporation's recent press release (2023) announced the launch of its revolutionary new widget.

Quoting:

When directly quoting, include the author, year, and page number (if available; otherwise, use paragraph number). For example:

Acme Corporation stated that "the new widget represents a paradigm shift in widget technology" (2023, p. 1).

If the press release doesn't have page numbers, use paragraph numbers. For instance:

Acme Corporation stated that "the new widget represents a paradigm shift in widget technology" (2023, para. 2).

Handling Missing Information

Sometimes, you might encounter press releases with missing information. Do your best to include as much detail as possible. If the author is unknown, use the company name. If the date is unclear, use the best approximation available. Always prioritize accuracy and transparency, clearly indicating any missing information.

Ensuring Accuracy and Credibility

Remember, accurate citation is paramount. Double-check all information – author, date, title, and source – before finalizing your paper. Using a reliable citation management tool can be beneficial to maintain accuracy and consistency across your citations.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Considerations

• Multiple Press Releases from the Same Source: If you cite multiple press releases from the same source within the same year, use lowercase letters (a, b, c) after the year to distinguish them.
• Press Releases without a Clear Title: If a clear title is missing, create a concise and descriptive title in brackets.
• Press Releases in Other Languages: Follow standard APA guidelines for translating titles and sources.

By carefully adhering to these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately cite press releases in your APA-style papers. Remember that consistent, accurate citation strengthens your credibility and integrity as a researcher. The key is to always prioritize clarity and provide enough information for readers to easily locate and verify your sources. Consistent application of these methods will help you produce academic work that meets the highest standards of rigor and transparency.