Skip to content

How to Cite a Preprint in APSA (current)

Learn how to cite arXiv, bioRxiv, and other preprint server papers in APSA format (current). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

APSA Reference List Format

Here is the standard APSA format for citing a preprint in your reference list:

APSA Example for a Preprint

A complete APSA reference for a preprint, formatted by the official APSA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

Petrov, Ivan, and Akua Osei. 2024. “Reference Accuracy in Large Language Model Output.” arXiv. doi:10.48550/arXiv.2403.01234.

Matching in-text citation: (Petrov and Osei 2024)

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your preprint.
  2. Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the APSA (current) template shown above.
  3. Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
  4. Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
  5. Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match APSA requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model.

CSL style record: apsa.csl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a preprint in APSA?
To cite a preprint in APSA (current), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the APSA format for a preprint citation?
The APSA format for a preprint is: Petrov, Ivan, and Akua Osei. 2024. “Reference Accuracy in Large Language Model Output.” arXiv. doi:10.48550/arXiv.2403.01234.
What does the in-text citation look like for a preprint in APSA?
In APSA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Petrov and Osei 2024)

Generate This Citation Automatically

Skip the manual formatting. Paste a DOI, URL, or ISBN into CitationEasy and get a perfectly formatted APSA citation in seconds.

Cite in APSA Now →

Generate this citation

Paste a URL, DOI, ISBN, or the source details and get a finished APSA citation for a Preprint.

Open the arXiv Citation Generator →

Bibliography Studio

Saved citations build a full bibliography in the Studio

Open Bibliography Studio

Cite a Preprint in Other Styles

Cite Other Sources in APSA

More Resources