APA vs. IPA

Attribute	APA	IPA
Publication Manual	6th edition	2nd edition
Authorship	Last name, first initial	Last name, first initial
In-text citations	(Author, year)	(Author, year)
Reference list	Alphabetical order	Alphabetical order
Abbreviations	Yes	Yes

Introduction

When it comes to academic writing and research, two of the most commonly used citation styles are APA (American Psychological Association) and IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). Both styles have their own set of rules and guidelines that writers must follow in order to properly cite sources and format their papers. In this article, we will compare the attributes of APA and IPA to help writers understand the differences between the two styles.

Citation Style

One of the main differences between APA and IPA is their citation styles. APA is commonly used in the social sciences and education fields, while IPA is primarily used in linguistics and phonetics. APA uses in-text citations with the author's last name and the year of publication, while IPA uses symbols to represent sounds in spoken language. APA also requires a reference list at the end of the paper, while IPA does not typically include a reference list.

Formatting

Another key difference between APA and IPA is their formatting guidelines. APA has specific rules for margins, font size, spacing, and headings that writers must follow. In contrast, IPA focuses more on the transcription of sounds and does not have strict formatting guidelines for papers. Writers using APA must adhere to a specific format for their papers, while writers using IPA have more flexibility in how they present their research.

Use of Abbreviations

APA and IPA also differ in their use of abbreviations. APA allows for the use of abbreviations in the text of the paper, as long as they are defined when first used. IPA, on the other hand, uses symbols to represent sounds and does not typically use abbreviations in the same way that APA does. Writers using APA must be careful to define any abbreviations they use in their papers, while writers using IPA must focus on accurately transcribing sounds using symbols.

Reference List

One of the most important aspects of both APA and IPA is the reference list. In APA, writers must include a reference list at the end of their paper that lists all the sources cited in the text. The reference list must be formatted according to APA guidelines, with the author's name, publication date, title of the work, and other relevant information. In contrast, IPA does not typically require a reference list, as the focus is more on the transcription of sounds rather than citing sources.

Conclusion

In conclusion, APA and IPA are two distinct citation styles that are used in different academic fields. While APA is commonly used in the social sciences and education, IPA is primarily used in linguistics and phonetics. APA has specific rules for in-text citations, formatting, and the reference list, while IPA focuses more on the transcription of sounds using symbols. Writers must be aware of the differences between APA and IPA in order to properly cite sources and format their papers according to the guidelines of each style.