How to Reference Mayo Clinic in APA Style
Referencing the Mayo Clinic in APA style depends on the specific source you're citing. The Mayo Clinic produces a vast amount of content, including website articles, medical reviews, and even books. Here's a breakdown of how to cite different types of Mayo Clinic sources in APA 7th edition:
1. Mayo Clinic Website Articles:
This is the most common scenario. Since websites lack page numbers, you'll use a paragraph number or section heading if available, or simply omit the location information.
Example:
If the article has a paragraph number:
Mayo Clinic. (2023, October 26). Understanding chronic fatigue syndrome. [Paragraph 5]. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360490
If the article uses section headings and doesn't have paragraph numbers:
Mayo Clinic. (2023, October 26). Understanding chronic fatigue syndrome. [Causes section]. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360490
Important Considerations for Website Citations:
- Date: Use the date the article was published or last updated. Look for a publication or last review date on the page.
- Title: Use the title as it appears on the page. Italicize the title of the article.
- URL: Include the full and accurate URL.
- Retrieval Date: Generally unnecessary for stable web content, but consider including it if the information is likely to change.
2. Mayo Clinic Books:
If you're citing a book published by the Mayo Clinic:
Example:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book. Mayo Clinic Press.
3. Mayo Clinic Medical Reviews or Reports:
The citation style will vary depending on the specific format of the review or report. If it's available online, follow the guidelines for website citations. If it's a print document, you'll need to adapt the format to reflect the specific publication details.
4. Specific Authors Within Mayo Clinic Publications:
If a specific author is named within a Mayo Clinic publication, you should attempt to include their name in the citation if possible. However, this information is not always available on their website.
Example (if author is named):
Smith, J. (2023, October 26). Understanding chronic fatigue syndrome. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360490
5. In-text Citations:
When citing a Mayo Clinic source in the text of your paper, use the abbreviated name and year. For example:
(Mayo Clinic, 2023)
General Tips for APA Style:
- Consult the official Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th edition) for the most current and precise guidelines.
- Use a citation management tool like Zotero or Mendeley to help you format your citations correctly. These tools will greatly simplify the process.
- Double-check your citations carefully to ensure accuracy and consistency.
This information should provide a solid foundation for referencing Mayo Clinic materials correctly in APA style. Remember to always double-check the specific details on each source you use, and consult the official APA manual when in doubt.
