APSA vs Chicago: Key Differences
APSA and Chicago are two of the most widely used citation styles in academia, but they differ in important ways. APSA (American Political Science Association) the citation style for political science research and journals. Chicago (Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition) america's most trusted style guide for authors, editors, and publishers. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right format for your paper.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | APSA | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Citation System | Author-Date | Author-Date |
| In-Text Format | (Author Year) | (Author Year) |
| Reference List Name | References | Reference List |
| Edition | current | 17th edition |
| Common Fields | Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy | History, Social Sciences, Arts, Humanities, Publishing |
When to Use APSA
APSA (American Political Science Association) uses a parenthetical author-date citation system with (Author Year) in-text citations and a References at the end of the paper. It is most commonly used in Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy.
When to Use Chicago
Chicago (Chicago Manual of Style 17th 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 History, Social Sciences, Arts, and related fields.
See the Difference in Action
Try our interactive comparison tool to compare APSA and Chicago citations side by side using your own sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between APSA and Chicago?
- APSA and Chicago differ in their in-text citation format, reference list structure, and the academic disciplines that use them. APSA uses (Author Year) in-text citations with a References, while Chicago uses (Author Year) with a Reference List.
- Which is better, APSA or Chicago?
- Neither APSA nor Chicago 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 APSA and Chicago?
- Yes, you can switch between APSA and Chicago 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.