How to Cite a Personal Interview in APA Style
Introduction
Citing a personal interview in APA style can seem tricky because the format differs from typical published sources. Whether you are conducting research for a dissertation, a classroom assignment, or a professional report, knowing the correct citation format ensures that you give credit to interviewees and maintain academic integrity. This article walks you through the step‑by‑step process of creating a complete APA reference for a personal interview, explains the scientific rationale behind each element, and answers common questions that arise during citation. By the end of this guide, you will be able to produce citations that meet APA’s stringent standards and that readers can easily locate the original source The details matter here..
Steps to Cite a Personal Interview
1. Gather Essential Information
Before you begin formatting, collect all required details about the interview. The core elements include:
- Interviewee’s full name (last name, first initial)
- Interview date (month, day, year)
- Interview format (in‑person, phone, email, Skype, etc.)
- Interviewer’s name (if different from author)
- Title or description of the interview (if applicable)
- Location or platform (city, state, or URL for online interviews)
Tip: If you are conducting multiple interviews, keep a spreadsheet to track each set of details. This prevents missing elements that could weaken your citation It's one of those things that adds up..
2. Determine the Reference Type
APA 7th edition distinguishes between two primary reference types for personal interviews:
- Personal interview (in‑person or telephone) – No publication date is listed; the interview date is used.
- Interview from a database or online platform – Include a retrieval date if the interview is not archived permanently.
3. Format the Reference List Entry
a. In‑person or Telephone Interview
The basic pattern is:
Lastname, F. I. (Year, Month Day). Interview with [Interviewee’s Full Name]. [Description of interview]. [Location, if applicable].
Example:
Smith, J. (2023, November 15). Interview with Maria Garcia. Discussion about urban gardening practices. Chicago, IL.
b. Email or Online Interview
If the interview was conducted via email or a video platform, add a retrieval date:
Lastname, F. I. (Year, Month Day). Interview with [Interviewee’s Full Name]. [Description of interview]. [Platform or URL]. Retrieved Month Day, Year.
Example:
Johnson, A. (2024, January 10). Interview with Dr. Lee Chen. *Climate change impacts on coastal communities*. https://example.com/interview123. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
4. Cite the Interview in Text
In‑text citations for personal interviews follow the author‑date format. Use the interviewee’s last name and the interview date (month, day, year) in parentheses.
- Narrative citation: Smith (2023, November 15) explained that…
- Parenthetical citation: (Smith, 2023, November 15)
If you refer to multiple interviewees, include each name and date:
(Garcia, 2023, October 2; Lee, 2024, January 10)
5. Verify Against APA Guidelines
After drafting your reference list entry, double‑check the following:
- Capitalization: Only the first word of the title and proper nouns are capitalized.
- Punctuation: Use a period after the location, and a comma before the interview description.
- Italicization: Italicize titles of standalone works (e.g., a published interview). Do not italicize interview descriptions.
Scientific Explanation
The APA style guide emphasizes clarity, consistency, and traceability of sources. Think about it: personal interviews are considered unpublished works, which means they lack a traditional publication date. By incorporating the exact interview date, APA ensures that readers can temporally situate the information and understand the context in which it was obtained.
It sounds simple, but the gap is usually here.
The inclusion of the interviewer’s name acknowledges the role of the researcher in data collection, which is especially important when the interviewer is also the author of the citing work. This practice aligns with the principle of attribution—giving credit for intellectual contributions beyond the written word Nothing fancy..
On top of that, the distinction between in‑person/telephone and electronic interviews reflects the evolving nature of scholarly communication. Digital interviews often have variable accessibility, so providing a retrieval date safeguards against link rot and ensures that future readers can attempt to locate the original source.
FAQ
What if the interview is anonymous?
If the interviewee requests anonymity, replace the name with “[Anonymous]” and note the interview date. Example:
[Anonymous]. (2023, June 20). Interview with [Anonymous]. Discussion on workplace stress. New York, NY.
How should I cite an interview that I conducted myself?
The moment you are both the interviewer and the author, list your name as the author and include the interview date. Example:
Doe, J. (2022, September 5). Interview with John Doe. Personal conversation about career development. Boston, MA.
Can I include a transcript of the interview in my reference?
Yes, you may attach a transcript as an appendix or supplementary material. In the reference list, note “[Transcript]” after the interview description and provide a brief identifier (e.g., “Transcript ID: XYZ123”) Most people skip this — try not to..
Do I need to obtain permission to cite a personal interview?
While APA does not strictly require written permission, it is considered best practice to secure consent from interviewees, especially if you plan to quote extensively. Always respect the interviewee’s wishes regarding anonymity and use of their statements.
How does this differ from citing a published interview in a magazine?
Published interview citations follow standard journal or magazine formats, including volume, issue, page numbers, and DOI/URL. Personal interviews lack these publication details, so the format is adapted to reflect the unpublished nature of the source.
Conclusion
Citing a personal interview in APA style may appear unconventional, but the process is straightforward once you gather the necessary details and follow the prescribed format. By recording the interviewee’s name, the exact interview date, the mode of communication, and any relevant location or platform, you create a citation that is both compliant with APA standards and useful for other researchers.
Remember to integrate the reference into your reference list using the correct punctuation and capitalization, and to embed in‑text citations that point readers directly to the interview source. Understanding the scientific rationale behind each element—traceability, attribution, and accessibility—helps you appreciate why APA places such emphasis on these details Nothing fancy..
With the steps outlined above, you can confidently cite personal interviews, ensuring that your academic work remains rigorous, transparent, and respectful of the contributors who make your research possible Simple as that..
Quick-Reference Checklist for APA Personal Interview Citations
Before finalizing your reference list, run each interview citation through this checklist to ensure completeness and consistency:
- [ ] Author/Interviewee – Full name (or “[Anonymous]” with date note)
- [ ] Date – Exact day, month, and year of the interview
- [ ] Title/Description – “Interview with [Name]” followed by a brief topical phrase (e.g., “Personal conversation about…”)
- [ ] Format – Specify mode: Personal interview, Phone interview, Video call, Email exchange, etc.
- [ ] Location/Platform – City, state (or country) for in‑person; platform name (Zoom, Teams, Skype) for virtual
- [ ] Transcript Note – Add “[Transcript]” and identifier if a transcript is appended
- [ ] In‑Text Citation – (Interviewee Surname, Year) or (Interviewee Surname, Year, para. X) for direct quotes
- [ ] Reference List Entry – Hanging indent, proper punctuation, sentence‑case description, no italics
Sample Reference List Entries (Copy‑Paste Ready)
Standard personal interview
Smith, L. (2024, March 12). Interview with Laura Smith. Personal conversation about urban gardening. Portland, OR.
Anonymous interviewee
[Anonymous]. (2023, November 3). Interview with [Anonymous]. Discussion on whistleblower protections. Washington, DC.
Video‑call interview with transcript
Chen, M. (2022, July 19). Interview with Mei Chen [Video call]. Personal conversation about AI ethics [Transcript]. Transcript ID: INT-2022-0719-MC. San Francisco, CA.
Email interview
Garcia, R. (2021, January 5). Interview with Rafael Garcia [Email]. Personal exchange on bilingual education policy. Austin, TX.
Final Thought
Treating a personal interview with the same citation rigor as a journal article does more than satisfy a style guide—it honors the lived expertise your participants share. By capturing who spoke, when they spoke, how the conversation happened, and where the record lives, you give future scholars a reliable trail back to the original voice. That traceability is the backbone of scholarly integrity, and mastering it turns a simple conversation into a citable, enduring contribution to your field That's the part that actually makes a difference. Simple as that..
Worth pausing on this one.
