American Sociological Association (ASA) style is the standard formatting system used by sociologists and social science researchers to credit sources and organize manuscripts. While it shares some similarities with the Chicago Manual of Style and APA, ASA has unique requirements that reflect the specific needs of sociological writing. Precision is the hallmark of this style, particularly regarding the placement of dates, the use of italics, and the exact punctuation within citations.

Accurate documentation serves two primary purposes: it allows readers to locate the original research and it protects the integrity of the writer’s arguments by distinguishing between their original thoughts and established scholarship. Failure to adhere to these standards can lead to confusion or accusations of academic dishonesty. This comprehensive guide details the mechanics of ASA format to ensure your sociological research meets professional standards.

General Manuscript Formatting Requirements

Before diving into the specifics of citations, it is necessary to establish the structural foundation of the paper. A manuscript formatted in ASA style must adhere to strict visual guidelines that promote readability and consistency across the discipline.

Font and Spacing

The entire document, including the references page, footnotes, and block quotes, must be double-spaced. There are no extra spaces between paragraphs. The standard font is 12-point Times New Roman or a similar serif font. Consistent use of font size and type is required throughout the body and the reference list.

Margins and Page Numbering

Margins should be set to 1.25 inches on all four sides of the page, although some instructors or journals may permit 1-inch margins. All pages must be numbered consecutively, starting with the title page. Page numbers are typically placed in the top right corner.

Title Page and Abstract

The title page is a standalone page that includes the full title of the paper, the author’s name, institutional affiliation, and a running head. Additionally, it often requires a total word count including the references and notes.

Following the title page is the abstract. An abstract is a concise summary of the research, usually between 150 and 200 words. It should be placed on its own page immediately after the title page. The abstract summarizes the research problem, methodology, key findings, and theoretical implications.

Detailed Guide to In-Text Citations

In ASA style, sources are cited within the text using an author-date system. This allows the reader to see the origin of an idea without interrupting the flow of the narrative. These citations must correspond exactly to an entry in the reference list at the end of the paper.

Basic In-Text Citation Patterns

The format of an in-text citation depends on whether the author’s name is already mentioned in the sentence.

When the author’s name is part of the text, include only the year of publication in parentheses immediately after the name. For example: In his seminal work, Duncan (1959) argued that social stratification is inherently linked to occupational prestige.

When the author’s name is not mentioned in the text, both the last name and the year of publication must be included in parentheses, typically at the end of the sentence before the final punctuation. For example: Recent studies suggest that urban sprawl contributes significantly to social isolation (Gouldner 1963).

Citing Direct Quotes and Specific Pages

When quoting directly or referring to a specific passage, you must provide the page number. In ASA style, the page number follows the year of publication, separated by a colon with no space between the colon and the number. This is one of the most distinct features of the style.

Example of a direct quote: "The development of the modern world-system was based on the extraction of resources" (Wallerstein 1974:347).

If you are paraphrasing a specific section of a dense text, it is also helpful to include the page number: The data indicates that rural populations experienced a decline in mobility during this period (Smith 2010:12-14).

Rules for Multiple Authors

The way multiple authors are handled in-text changes based on the number of contributors and whether it is the first or a subsequent citation.

  1. Two Authors: Always cite both last names in every citation. Use "and" between the names. (Martin and Bailey 1988).
  2. Three Authors: In the first citation, list all three last names. In all subsequent citations, use the first author's last name followed by "et al." First citation: (Wolf, Morgan, and Adams 2015). Subsequent citations: (Wolf et al. 2015).
  3. Four or More Authors: Use the first author's last name followed by "et al." from the very first citation. (Daniels et al. 2018).

Corporate Authors and No Date

If a source is produced by an institution or organization rather than an individual, use the organization’s name as the author. (American Sociological Association 2006).

If a work has no publication date, use the abbreviation "n.d." in place of the year. (Torres n.d.). If a work is accepted for publication but not yet printed, use the term "forthcoming" instead of a year. (Patterson forthcoming).

Formatting the References Page

The "References" page appears at the end of the manuscript. It should list every source cited in the text and only those sources. The list is organized alphabetically by the first author’s last name.

General Layout

The word "References" should be centered at the top of the page. Do not bold, underline, or italicize this heading. All entries must be double-spaced and use a hanging indent. This means the first line of each citation is flush with the left margin, and all subsequent lines are indented approximately 0.5 inches.

Author Name Formatting

For the first author listed, the name is inverted (Last Name, First Name). For any additional authors, the names are written in standard order (First Name Last Name). This ensures that the alphabetical sorting remains clear while maintaining the identity of co-authors.

Example for two authors: Innocente, Nathan and Jayne Baker. 2018. "The Sociology Teaching Fellowship." Teaching Sociology 46(4):335-345.

Sorting Multiple Works by the Same Author

If the reference list contains multiple works by the same author, arrange them chronologically from the earliest to the most recent year of publication. If the same author has multiple works published in the same year, distinguish them by adding lowercase letters (a, b, c) after the year (e.g., 1993a, 1993b) and list them alphabetically by title.

Comprehensive Examples for Different Source Types

The following examples provide the exact structure for the most common types of sociological sources. Pay close attention to the use of italics for titles of books and journals, and the use of quotation marks for article or chapter titles.

Books

The basic format for a book includes the author's name, the year, the book title (italicized), the city of publication, and the publisher.

Single Author: Welch, Kathleen E. 1999. Electric Rhetoric: Classical Rhetoric, Oralism, and a New Literacy. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Two or More Authors: Edin, Kathryn and Maria Kefalas. 2005. Promises I Can Keep: Why Poor Women Put Motherhood Before Marriage. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Edited Volume: Tannen, Deborah, ed. 1993. Gender and Conversational Interaction. New York: Oxford University Press.

Chapter in an Edited Book: Wells, Ida B. 1995. "Lynch Law in All Its Phases." Pp. 80-99 in With Pen and Voice: A Critical Anthology of Nineteenth-Century African-American Women, edited by S. W. Logan. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press.

Journal Articles

Journal articles are the lifeblood of sociological research. The format includes the author, year, article title in quotes, journal name (italicized), volume number, issue number (in parentheses), and page numbers.

Print Journal Article: Colen, Cynthia G. 2011. "Addressing Racial Disparities in Health Using Life Course Perspectives." Du Bois Review 8(1):79-94.

Online Journal Article with DOI: If a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is available, it is the preferred way to cite an online article as it provides a permanent link. Persell, Caroline Hodges, Kathryn M. Pfeiffer, and Ali Syed. 2008. "How Sociological Leaders Teach: Some Key Principles." Teaching Sociology 36(2):108-24. doi:10.1177/0092055X0803600202.

Online Journal Article without DOI: If no DOI is available, include the URL and the date the article was retrieved. Jobe, Karen D. 2000. "Women and the Language of Hackerdom: The Gendered nature of Hacker Jargon." Kairos 5(2). Retrieved March 23, 2005 (http://english.ttu.edu/kairos/5.2/binder.html).

Periodicals and Newspapers

Citing a newspaper or magazine article is similar to citing a journal, but often includes the specific date of publication.

Newspaper Article (Print): Clary, Mike. 2000. "Vieques Protesters Removed Without Incident." Los Angeles Times, May 5, p. A1.

Magazine Article: Swartz, Mimi. 2002. "An Enron Yard Sale." New Yorker, May 6, pp. 50-52.

Electronic and Digital Sources

As research increasingly relies on digital platforms, citing websites and reports found online requires specific details to ensure the source remains traceable.

Websites: Include the corporate author or individual, the date of publication (or n.d.), the title of the document or page, the date retrieved, and the URL. American Sociological Association. 2022. "Ethics in Research." Washington, DC: American Sociological Association. Retrieved October 12, 2023 (http://www.asanet.org/ethics).

Blogs and Non-Traditional Media: Format these similarly to websites, ensuring the title of the blog post is in quotation marks and the blog name is italicized. Smith, Jordan. 2023. "Social Networks in the Digital Age." The Sociological Mind (blog), June 15. Retrieved August 1, 2023 (http://www.sociomind.com/networks).

Government Documents and Legal Cases

Sociologists often analyze public policy or legal frameworks. These require a slightly different approach.

Government Report: U.S. Census Bureau. 2010. Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.

Legal Case: Brown v. Board of Education. 1954. 347 U.S. 483.

Formatting Headings within the Text

ASA style uses a specific hierarchy of headings to organize the content of a paper. This helps readers navigate complex theoretical or empirical discussions.

Level 1 Headings

Level 1 headings are used for major sections (e.g., METHODS, RESULTS, DISCUSSION). They are in all caps and left-justified. You do not use a Level 1 heading for the introduction. Example: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Level 2 Headings

Level 2 headings are used for subsections. They are italicized, use title-case capitalization (all major words capitalized), and are left-justified. Example: Data Collection and Sampling Techniques

Level 3 Headings

Level 3 headings are used for further subdivisions. They are indented, italicized, use sentence-case capitalization (only the first word capitalized), and end with a period. The text of the paragraph begins immediately after the period on the same line. Example: Participant demographics. The study included 500 individuals from diverse backgrounds...

Tables and Figures

Visual aids must be integrated into the text with precision. Each table or figure should be mentioned in the text before it appears.

  1. Numbering: Tables and figures are numbered consecutively (e.g., Table 1, Table 2).
  2. Titles: Each must have a descriptive title that explains the data presented.
  3. Placement: While tables and figures are often placed at the end of a manuscript in professional submissions, students are usually required to place them near the text they reference.
  4. Notes: Any explanatory notes or source attributions should be placed directly below the table or figure.

Common Pitfalls in ASA Formatting

Even experienced writers can struggle with the nuances of ASA style. Recognizing these common errors can significantly improve the quality of a submission.

The Page Number Colon

The most common mistake is adding a space after the colon in an in-text citation. ASA is very strict: (1990:45) is correct, while (1990: 45) is incorrect.

The Introduction Heading

Writers often mistakenly include a heading titled "Introduction" at the start of their paper. According to ASA guidelines, the first section of the paper is assumed to be the introduction, so no heading is necessary. The paper should begin with the title repeated at the top of the first page of text.

Et Al. Punctuation

The term "et al." is an abbreviation for the Latin et alii (and others). The period must always follow "al" but never "et". If the citation ends the sentence, the period for "al." also serves as the sentence-ending period unless further punctuation is needed.

Improper Italics

Only the titles of complete works (books, journals, newspapers) should be italicized. Individual articles, chapters, or web page titles should be enclosed in quotation marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ASA style the same as APA style?

No. While both use author-date systems, they differ in several ways. For example, ASA requires the first names of authors in the reference list (APA uses initials), and ASA uses a colon without a space for page numbers, whereas APA uses "p." or "pp."

How do I cite a source that I found in another source?

This is known as a secondary source citation. ASA discourages this; you should always try to find the original work. However, if you must cite a secondary source, the in-text citation should look like this: (Blau 1964, cited in Duncan 1970:22). Only the source you actually read (Duncan) goes in your reference list.

What do I do if there are more than ten authors?

In the reference list, for works with more than ten authors, you may list the first seven authors, followed by "et al." to save space, though some journals prefer all authors to be listed regardless of the number. Always check with your specific editor or professor.

Should I include the state for the city of publication?

Include the two-letter state abbreviation only if the city is not well-known or if there might be confusion (e.g., Cambridge, MA vs. Cambridge, England). Major cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles do not require the state abbreviation.

Summary

Mastering ASA format citation is a vital skill for any social scientist. By following the author-date system for in-text citations and maintaining a meticulously organized reference list, researchers ensure their work is grounded in academic tradition and accessible to the scholarly community. Key takeaways include:

  • Maintain double-spacing and 1.25-inch margins throughout the document.
  • Use the author-date format for in-text citations, adding page numbers after a colon with no space for direct quotes.
  • In the reference list, invert only the first author's name and list all sources alphabetically.
  • Apply italics to book and journal titles, while using quotation marks for article and chapter titles.
  • Follow the three-level heading system to organize your manuscript’s structure.

By adhering to these rules, you provide a professional framework for your sociological insights, allowing your arguments to stand on a foundation of clear, ethical, and standardized scholarship.