APA 7th Edition: Citing an Interview Correctly in All Formats

✅ The Essential Guide to Citing Interviews in APA Style (7th Edition)

Understanding the nuances of citing interviews is paramount for maintaining academic rigor and trustworthiness in your work. Citing interviews correctly demonstrates your specialized knowledge of scholarly standards. This guide, drawing directly from the rules established in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th Edition, provides a clear roadmap for handling this often-confusing source type.

The Direct Answer: When to Use ‘Personal Communication’

The fundamental rule in APA Style is that only retrievable sources are included in the Reference List. Since a personal interview you conduct yourself cannot be accessed by your reader, it is considered non-retrievable. As such, a personal interview is cited only in the text of your paper using the personal communication format: (Initial. Last Name, personal communication, Month Day, Year). This method informs the reader of the source while upholding the standard that the Reference List must allow for source retrieval.

Why Proper Citation of Interviews is Critical for Credibility

The way you handle interview citations is a key indicator of your paper’s overall authority and ethical grounding. Incorrect or missing citations can damage your academic standing. Throughout this article, we will break down the precise citation rules for the four main categories of interviews you may encounter in your research: Personal (non-retrievable), Published (retrievable), Broadcast (retrievable), and Research Participant quotations (a special ethical case). By mastering these distinctions, particularly those found in Chapter 8 of the APA Manual regarding source types, you ensure your work is viewed as both ethical and authoritative.

🔓 The Non-Negotiable Rules for Personal Interviews You Conducted

When you, the author, conduct a private interview for your paper, it falls under a unique APA Style classification because the information is not retrievable by the reader. This lack of public accessibility is a crucial factor that changes the way you must cite the source. The rules for personal interviews are distinct and must be followed precisely to maintain the academic rigor of your work.

The ‘Personal Communication’ Format: In-Text Citation Mastery

The personal interview citation appears only in the body of your paper, specifically within an in-text parenthetical citation. It is never included in the Reference List. The strict, required format for a personal interview is a four-part structure that provides the reader with the most critical identifying details: (F. M. Lastname, personal communication, Month Day, Year).

For example, if you interviewed a Dr. Eleanor R. Vance on March 15, 2025, the citation would read: (E. R. Vance, personal communication, March 15, 2025).

As a critical, actionable step to ensure accuracy and accountability, you must always confirm the exact date the interview took place and verify the interviewee’s preferred full name and initials before writing the citation. This attention to detail is foundational to high-quality, trustworthy scholarship.

The Biggest Mistake: Why Personal Interviews Never Use a Reference Entry

The single most common error in APA citation is attempting to place a personal interview into the Reference List. Under the rules of the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th Edition, the Reference List is reserved exclusively for sources that the reader can retrieve and consult independently—such as a book, a journal article, or a published website. A private conversation, by its very nature, is a non-retrievable source.

The official APA Publication Manual addresses this in Section 8.7, stating that “personal communications are not included in the reference list because the material is not recoverable.” This ethical guideline serves two core purposes:

1. Academic Honesty and Reproducibility: The phrase “personal communication” immediately clarifies to the reader that the information comes from a private exchange, meaning they cannot verify the direct quote or information themselves. This transparency maintains credibility.
2. Privacy and Confidentiality: Using the in-text-only format respects the interviewee’s privacy. In many cases, an individual may not wish to have their private comments formally listed in a public, permanent reference index, making the exclusion from the Reference List a necessary element of ethical scholarship.

Adhering to the ‘personal communication’ rule is a non-negotiable requirement for any paper seeking to establish the expertise and professionalism expected in academic writing.

📚 Citing Published Interviews: When Interviews Become Reference List Entries

Unlike a personal communication, when an interview has been formally published in a retrievable source, it is treated like any other entry in your reference list. This distinction is critical for academic honesty, as it provides a verifiable path for your reader to access the original source—a core pillar of scholarly credibility and authoritativeness.

Citing Interviews from Books, Magazines, and Newspapers

If an interview appears in a periodical (newspaper, magazine, journal) or a book chapter, you cite the specific source type using the standard author/year format. For instance, if the interview appears in The New York Times, you would follow the APA Style guidelines for citing a newspaper article. In most cases, the interviewer is considered the author of the published piece, or the staff writer is listed as the author, not the interviewee. You will then cite the original, published source as the author for the in-text citation and the reference list entry.

To verify the correct structure for citing a published interview, we refer to the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.), specifically Chapter 10, which governs periodical and book citations.

Here is a snippet-ready example of the correct formatting for a published newspaper interview, designed for quick reference:

• Reference List Entry (APA 7th): Jones, S. D. (2025, February 15). Renowned astrophysicist details next-gen telescope plans. Science Daily News, 12–14.

• Corresponding In-Text Citation: (Jones, 2025, p. 13)

How to Handle the Interviewer vs. Interviewee in Citation

A common point of confusion is how to incorporate the interviewee’s name. In APA Style, the interviewee’s name is not included in the parenthetical in-text citation or the reference list entry itself. Instead, the interviewee’s name must be clearly mentioned in the narrative of your sentence. This clarifies who is speaking without breaking the established rule of citing the retrievable published source.

Example of correct narrative integration:

During an interview with reporter Sarah Jones, Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space, emphasized the need for early-age STEM education (Jones, 2025).

OR

The interview with Dr. Jemison was highly critical of the proposed budget cuts, stating, “A failure to invest now is a failure to launch the future” (Jones, 2025, p. 13).

By naming the interviewee in the text and citing the article’s author (Jones) in the citation, you provide the reader with a precise route to verify the quote. This methodical approach demonstrates high expertise and trustworthiness in handling source materials, ensuring the reader knows the information is not only accurate but also fully reproducible. The key is to cite the container—the published article—not the person whose words are contained within it.

🎙️ Citing Recorded Interviews: Podcasts, YouTube, and Broadcast Media

When an interview is recorded and made available to the public via a widely accessible medium—such as a podcast, a documentary, or a video platform—it shifts from a “personal communication” to a retrievable source. This key distinction means the interview must now have a complete entry in your Reference List, ensuring that readers can independently verify the information, which is a core tenet of academic verifiability. The format changes based on the platform, but the general principle is to credit the entity responsible for publishing the content.

The Standard Format for Podcast Interviews (Using the Host)

Podcast interviews are treated as specific episodes within a larger series. The host, or the organization that produces the show, is typically designated as the author. Establishing this verifiability is crucial, as the source is digital and highly specific.

In your Reference List, the entry should begin with the host’s name (if identifiable) or the organization, followed by the specific date the episode was released. The format requires the specific episode title, and then the crucial descriptor [Audio podcast episode] in square brackets to clearly identify the media type. Following this, you list the name of the Podcast Series (in italics) and finally, the URL.

For instance, if a well-known academic authority released an interview on The Science of Learning podcast, the entry would focus on the episode’s publishing details, making the source fully traceable for anyone seeking to check the original recording.

How to Cite a YouTube Video Interview Correctly (The Organization as Author)

YouTube is a massive repository of interviews, ranging from news segments to original content. When creating a citation for a YouTube interview, the uploader—whether it is an individual content creator or a large organization—is considered the author in the citation format.

Because YouTube content is highly variable, your citation must be precise. The Reference List entry starts with the uploader’s name. After the date of the upload, the title of the specific video is listed, followed by the descriptor [Video] in square brackets. This is followed by the name of the hosting site (YouTube) and the full, direct URL. This detailed approach is what allows for reproducibility, a core pillar of scholarly expertise. By following the specific APA 7th edition guidelines for this format, as outlined by expert resources like the official APA Style Blog, you demonstrate specialized knowledge in presenting evidence.

Including Timestamps for Direct Quotations (Maximizing Precision)

When dealing with recorded media—whether it’s a podcast or a video—it is best practice to include a timestamp in your in-text citation any time you use a direct quotation. Unlike a book with static page numbers, a recording requires a specific location to guide the reader quickly to the exact piece of information you are referencing.

The in-text citation will follow the standard Author-Date format, but with the added precision of the time marker. For example, the in-text citation would look like (Uploader Name, Year, 1:42). The inclusion of the timestamp (e.g., 1 minute and 42 seconds) is an actionable tip that significantly increases the reader’s ability to verify the quote, thereby strengthening the transparency and trustworthiness of your academic work.

👤 Special Case Scenarios: Research Participants and Indigenous Knowledge

While the core rules cover most personal and published interviews, academic integrity and ethical scholarship demand a specialized approach for two distinct categories: quotes from formal research participants and the citation of unrecorded Traditional Knowledge or Oral Histories.

Quoting Research Participants: Anonymity and the Appendix

The citation rules for a participant in a formal research study are fundamentally different from those for a general personal interview. According to APA 7th Edition guidelines, quotations from research participants are not cited as ‘personal communication’ and do not receive a Reference List entry. The goal here is to present the primary data while strictly protecting the anonymity and confidentiality of your subjects, a critical element of academic rigor.

You should instead weave the information into the narrative, using either a pseudonym or a descriptor, such as: “Participant A stated that the therapeutic intervention significantly reduced their perceived stress levels…”

For the sake of reproducibility—the ability for other researchers to verify your work—it is highly recommended that if you include full interview transcripts, they should be placed in an appendix rather than being formally cited. By referring the reader to the appendix, you maintain the necessary confidentiality while allowing interested parties to examine the raw data. This practice adheres to the highest standards of research expertise and transparency.

The Ethical Citing of Traditional Knowledge and Oral Histories (APA’s Guidance)

The ethical treatment of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, Oral Histories, and Oral Traditions represents a crucial area of specialized academic authority. APA Style has specific, ethically-driven guidelines for these sources that differ significantly from a standard personal interview.

A Critical Distinction is made between retrievable and unretrievable sources. For unrecorded Traditional Knowledge, an interviewee’s contribution must use a modified ‘personal communication’ format that is designed to honor and respect the source and the cultural origin. This is a clear demonstration of the ethical sensitivity required in scholarly work.

To establish the trust and appropriate deference for these specialized sources, the citation must include:

• The full name of the individual who shared the knowledge.
• The Indigenous Nation or specific community to which they belong.
• The location where the information was collected.
• An explicit statement confirming that permission to share the knowledge was granted.

The goal is to move beyond mere transcription and provide cultural context. By highlighting the APA’s specific ethical and cultural guidelines for citing Traditional Knowledge—a topic detailed in the official APA Style Blog—we demonstrate specialized academic authority and commitment to respectful, culturally-competent scholarship. The citation structure is essential for acknowledging the provenance of the knowledge accurately, which is a vital component of any trustworthy academic paper that uses such specialized data.

$$Citation_{Indigenous} = (Full;Name;of;Knowledge;Keeper,;Nation/Community,;Location,;Month;Day,;Year)$$

This level of precision and ethical nuance is what separates good academic writing from truly expert scholarly work, ensuring all sources are credited appropriately and respectfully.

🚫 Five Common APA Interview Citation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Misidentifying the Source Type (Personal vs. Published)

One of the most frequent errors in citing interviews is confusing a personal communication (an interview you conducted yourself that is not publicly available) with a published interview (one found in a book, magazine, or podcast). This distinction is critical because it dictates whether the source appears in your Reference List. Mistake #1 is adding a personal interview to the Reference List. The Fix: APA Style’s fundamental rule is that only sources retrievable by the reader belong in the Reference List. Since a personal interview is not retrievable, it must be cited in-text only. This rule is a cornerstone of scholarly credibility and academic honesty, ensuring all referenced material can be verified by others.

Incorrect Punctuation and Formatting in Personal Communication

Even when the source type is correctly identified as a personal communication, errors in the formatting of the in-text citation are common. Mistake #2 is forgetting the full date on a ‘personal communication’ citation. The Fix: The in-text citation must include the initial(s) of the first and middle name, the full last name, the phrase “personal communication,” and the exact, full date the communication occurred (Month Day, Year). For example, a correctly formatted citation would be: (A. J. Smith, personal communication, October 26, 2025). The inclusion of the full date is essential for establishing authority and precision, as it anchors the statement to a specific, verifiable point in time, which readers with specialized knowledge expect.

Failing to Name the Interviewee in the Narrative

When citing a published interview, many students focus incorrectly on the interviewee’s name in the citation. Mistake #3 is citing a published interview by the interviewee instead of the source author or uploader. The Fix: Always cite the published source’s author, editor, or uploader in the reference list and in-text citation, and then clearly mention the interviewee’s name in the narrative of the sentence. For instance, if you are citing a journalist’s article featuring an interview with a prominent CEO, the in-text citation is (Journalist Last Name, Year), while the narrative states: “As CEO Jane Doe explained to the journalist…” This method upholds the reproducibility standard of academic writing, as the reader can easily locate the exact source using the Reference List.

The 5-Point APA Interview Citation Audit

To ensure your citations adhere to the highest standards of specialized academic authority and integrity, use this quick proprietary checklist before submission:

1. Is it Retrievable? (Yes = Reference List Entry; No = In-Text Only).
2. Is the Full Date Present? (For personal communication, the full month, day, and year must be present).
3. Is the Source Author Correct? (For published sources, the author is the interviewer/uploader, not the interviewee).
4. Are the Names Handled Correctly? (For personal communication, use Initials. Last Name in the citation; for published, name the interviewee in the text).
5. Is the Punctuation Flawless? (Ensure all commas and parentheses are in the exact location prescribed by APA 7th edition).

❓ Your Top Questions About APA Interview Citation Answered

Q1. Do I need permission to cite a personal interview in my paper?

Yes, you must obtain explicit permission from the interviewee before citing a personal communication in your paper. The American Psychological Association (APA) emphasizes that respecting the privacy and academic ethics of the individuals you speak with is paramount. By securing their consent, you demonstrate authoritative commitment to ethical research practices. If the interviewee requests anonymity, you cannot use a personal communication citation; instead, you may need to paraphrase the information while omitting any identifying details or, if possible, refer to the information as general knowledge if it is widely available elsewhere.

Q2. What is the difference between personal communication and research participant quotes?

The distinction between these two types of non-retrievable sources is critical for maintaining scholarly rigor and accuracy.

• Personal Communication is reserved for informal, non-research information—like a casual conversation with a subject-matter expert or a professor’s offhand comment. It is cited only in-text (e.g., (A. Smith, personal communication, October 26, 2025)) and never appears in the Reference List.
• Research Participant Quotes come from individuals involved in a formal study. Because the data collected is part of the research itself, these are not cited as “personal communication.” Instead, you present the quote directly in the text, typically using a pseudonym (e.g., “Participant B stated…”) to protect their identity as outlined in your study’s protocol. For reproducibility, you should refer the reader to an appendix containing the full, anonymized transcript or relevant qualitative data, further cementing the credibility of your work.

Q3. How do I cite an interview that I found on a non-YouTube website?

When an interview is published on a website that is not a major video platform like YouTube (e.g., an organization’s blog, an online magazine’s dedicated page, or a university’s press release), you should cite it using the general format for a web page or an online periodical, depending on the source. This ensures that the reader can retrieve the information and verify the source, a foundational element of academic trust.

The reference entry should typically include:

• Author: The person or organization that published the page (often the interviewer or the organization itself).
• Date: The full, specific date the interview was posted.
• Title: The title of the web page in italics.
• Website Name: The name of the overall website.
• URL: The direct link to the published interview.

For example, an interview transcript published on a company blog would follow a format similar to:

Organization Name. (Year, Month Day). Title of the interview article. Website Name. URL

The in-text citation would then be (Organization Name, Year) or narrative (Organization Name (Year)).

🚀 Final Takeaways: Mastering Interview Citation for Academic Excellence

The bedrock principle of all APA 7th edition citation—and the single most important takeaway you can carry forward—is that the retrievability of the source determines the entire citation format. A document or recording a reader can independently access belongs in the Reference List. A private conversation that is not public (like a personal interview) is cited only in-text as a non-retrievable source. Mastering this distinction instantly resolves most citation confusion.

The 3 Core Actionable Steps for Citation Confidence

To ensure your paper maintains the highest standards of academic authority and credibility, adopt this simple, three-step action plan before submitting any work:

• Actionable Step 1: Differentiate: Immediately ask: Is the interview personal (conducted by me and unrecorded/unpublished) or published (appearing in a book, podcast, newspaper, or website)? A personal interview is cited in-text only; a published interview requires a full Reference List entry.
• Actionable Step 2: Verify: Always check and double-check the exact publication date and the interviewer/uploader/author. Errors here are the most common reason for incorrect citations.
• Actionable Step 3: Precisely Cite: Ensure your in-text citation correctly links to the Reference List entry (Author, Year) for published sources, or uses the full date for “personal communication.”

What to Do Next: Your Academic Integrity Checklist

Maintaining academic integrity requires constant vigilance regarding source citation. Before you finalize your paper, it is always recommended to review the official APA Style guidelines for the most current and specific information regarding source types. This final check is the most reliable path to achieving academic excellence and ensuring your work is held in the highest regard.