How to Cite a Phone Call in APA

Research papers written in the disciplines of psychology and other social sciences usually employ the APA style of documentation.

While student researchers naturally busy themselves with online and library research, they may overlook one of the most distinctive forms of research: the phone interview. Assuming that the source is accomplished and knowledgeable, he can add great value to a research paper with or without provocative quotes. Citing such a source according to American Psychological Association standards is straightforward and requires just an ounce of common sense.

Instructions

1. Remember that, fundamentally, APA prefers that writers employ a "signal phrase" to introduce a source, whether it be from a periodical or a phone interview. A signal phrase is another way of giving a reader a heads-up that the information to follow originates from someone besides the writer.

2. Introduce the source at the beginning of a paragraph and classify the phone interview as "personal communication," along with the date of the interview.

3. Cite the communication in one of two ways: "Cunningham (personal communication, July 4, 2011) made a compelling case for the Democrats' budget plan" or "One pundit made a compelling case for the Democrats' budget plan" (J. Cunningham, personal communication, July 4, 2011).

4. Take note of the fact that personal communications, including phone calls, do not have to be included in the references. This is because, unlike books and other written sources, phone calls are not as inherently "traceable" and, thus, capable of followup.

Tips & Warnings

• Phone interviews are particularly enlightening when they appraise written research and expound on the findings.

• If you find a compelling university professor whom you would like to interview, call the university's public relations department to set up a phone interview. Taking this route should save you valuable time in tracking down the professor.

References

• University of Central Florida Libraries: APA Citation Style
• Montgomery College: How to Cite (APA and MLA) Other Sources
• "The New St. Martin's Handbook"; Andrea Lunsford et al.; 1999

Resources

• "The Little, Brown Handbook"; H. Ramsey Fowler et al.; 1992