APA vs Science: Key Differences
APA and Science are two of the most widely used citation styles in academia, but they differ in important ways. APA (American Psychological Association 7th Edition) the most widely used citation style in the social sciences. Science (Science (AAAS) Journal Style) the citation style for Science magazine and AAAS journals. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right format for your paper.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | APA | Science |
|---|---|---|
| Citation System | Author-Date | Numbered |
| In-Text Format | (Author, Year) | Italic numbers (1) |
| Reference List Name | Reference List | References |
| Edition | 7th edition | current |
| Common Fields | Psychology, Education, Social Sciences, Nursing, Business | Multidisciplinary Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry |
When to Use APA
APA (American Psychological Association 7th Edition) uses a parenthetical author-date citation system with (Author, Year) in-text citations and a Reference List at the end of the paper. It is most commonly used in Psychology, Education, Social Sciences, and related fields.
When to Use Science
Science (Science (AAAS) Journal Style) uses a numbered citation system with Italic numbers (1) in-text citations and a References at the end of the paper. It is most commonly used in Multidisciplinary Science, Biology, Physics, and related fields.
See the Difference in Action
Try our interactive comparison tool to compare APA and Science citations side by side using your own sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between APA and Science?
- APA and Science differ in their in-text citation format, reference list structure, and the academic disciplines that use them. APA uses (Author, Year) in-text citations with a Reference List, while Science uses Italic numbers (1) with a References.
- Which is better, APA or Science?
- Neither APA nor Science is inherently better. The right choice depends on your academic discipline, your instructor's requirements, or the journal you are submitting to. Check your assignment guidelines or target publication to determine which style to use.
- Can I switch between APA and Science?
- Yes, you can switch between APA and Science using CitationEasy's free citation generator. Simply select the desired style and your citations will be reformatted automatically. However, you should only use one style per paper unless your instructor says otherwise.