How to Cite a Phone Interview Within the Body of a Research Paper

Research papers provide an accurate and verifiable accounting of information.

Citations in research papers sometimes make writers crazy. Trying to discern the proper citation method takes its own research and practice to make it a seamless process. Telephone interviews can be used as an appropriate reference once you know the proper format. The in-text citation remains simple, but you need to be sure you properly format your source as well.

Instructions

APA Style

1. Write out your quotation from the interview or fact as a statement. You can either use a direct quote or an idea as a simple sentence.

2. Include the last name of the interviewee inside parentheses and followed by a period outside of the parentheses, if you plan to include the interview on the reference page. This should follow immediately after the quotation or sentence.

3. Write the first initial and last name followed by a comma followed by “telephone interview,” followed by the date inside parentheses. The parenthetical should be concluded with a period. Example: (P. Hacker-Witt, telephone interview, September 10, 2011). This in-text citation does not require a line item in the reference section. You can also title the interview as “personal communication” if you wish.

4. Reference the shorter in-text citation on the reference page. It should read: “Last name, First initial. (year, Month, day). Telephone interview.” Example: Hacker-Witt, P. (2011, September, 10). Telephone interview.

MLA Style

1. Write out your quotation or statement from the interview in your research paper.

2. Include the last name of the interviewee inside parenthesis, such as (Hacker-Witt), after the statement. This ends the in-text citation but requires a line item on the reference page.

3. Complete the reference section with the name of the interviewee, the person’s specialty, telephone interview and the date as follows: Hacker-Witt, Pharaba. Writer, Demand Media. Telephone interview. 10 Sep. 2011.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the citation method preferred by your professor. MLA and APA styles are commonly used for research papers.

• Consider turning your interview notes in with your paper or at least have them prepared if the professor asks for documentation.

References

• Monroe Community College: Modern Language Association (MLA) Style
• EasyBib Write Smart: How to Cite a Personal Interview in APA