How to Cite Book Chapters

Basic Format for Book Chapters

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In E. E. Editor (Ed.), Title of book (pp. xxx-xxx). Publisher.

Example:

Smith, J. D. (2023). Research methodology in social sciences. In R. D. Williams (Ed.), Handbook of research methods (pp. 100-125). Academic Press.

Chapter in an Edited E-Book

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In E. E. Editor (Ed.), Title of book (pp. xxx-xxx). Publisher. DOI or URL

Example:

Johnson, M. R. (2023). Digital research methods. In K. L. Wilson (Ed.), Modern research handbook (pp. 45-67). Digital Press. https://doi.org/10.1234/5678

Multiple Editors

Two Editors

Brown, R. T. (2023). Statistical analysis. In A. B. Smith & C. D. Johnson (Eds.), Research methods (pp. 78-95). Publisher.

Three or More Editors

Davis, C. D. (2023). Qualitative research. In A. B. Smith, C. D. Johnson, & E. F. Wilson (Eds.), Advanced research methods (pp. 150-175). Publisher.

In-Text Citations

First Citation

Smith (2023) discusses...

...(Smith, 2023)

Specific Page Reference

(Smith, 2023, p. 110)

Special Cases

Reprinted or Republished Chapters

Include both original and republication dates

Miller, E. F. (2023). Research ethics. In A. B. Editor (Ed.), Research handbook (pp. 200-225). Publisher. (Original work published 2010)

Translated Chapters

Include translator information

Garcia, M. (2023). Research design (T. Johnson, Trans.). In R. D. Editor (Ed.), Global research methods (pp. 45-60). Publisher.

Key Points to Remember

Include page range for the entire chapter
List chapter author(s) first, then book editor(s)
Chapter title is not italicized, but book title is
Include DOI or URL for electronic chapters when available
Use "In" before the editor's name
Include (Ed.) for one editor or (Eds.) for multiple editors

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't italicize the chapter title
Don't omit the page range
Don't forget to include editor information
Don't reverse the order of chapter author and book editor
Don't include publisher location