Interviews (Personal & Published)

APA Style handles personal and published interviews differently. Personal interviews are generally not included in the reference list, while published interviews are.

1. Personal Interviews

Personal interviews are those you conduct yourself. They are considered non-recoverable data, meaning others cannot access the same interview. Because of this, they are not included in the reference list. Instead, you cite them only in the text of your paper.

In-Text Citation Format:
  • Use the interviewee's name and the phrase "personal communication".
  • Provide the most specific date available for the communication.
In-Text Citation Examples:
(J. Smith, personal communication, January 15, 2023)
J. Smith (personal communication, January 15, 2023) stated...
Very, Very Detailed and Strict Breakdown for Personal Interviews:
  • Non-Recoverable Data: Emphasize that personal interviews are not included in the reference list because they are not recoverable by other researchers. This is a fundamental principle in APA Style.
  • In-Text Only: Stress that the only place a personal interview is cited is within the text of the paper. There should be no corresponding entry in the reference list.
  • Interviewee's Name: Use the interviewee's full name (first name, middle initial if available, and last name) in the in-text citation. Be consistent in how you refer to the interviewee throughout your paper.
  • "Personal Communication": Use this exact phrase, without any variations. It clearly indicates the nature of the source. Do not italicize "personal communication."
  • Date Specificity: Provide the most precise date available. If you know the exact date (month, day, year), include all of that (e.g., January 15, 2023). If you only know the month and year, provide that (e.g., January 2023). If you only know the year, provide that (e.g., 2023). However, strive for more specific dates whenever possible.
  • Integration into Text: Integrate the in-text citation smoothly into your writing. You can place it in parentheses or use it as part of a sentence.
  • No Title: Do not provide a title for a personal interview. The phrase "personal communication" is sufficient.
  • No Page Numbers: Personal communications do not have page numbers, so do not include them.
  • Consistency: If you cite the same personal communication multiple times in your paper, use the same date and format each time.
  • Types of Personal Communication: While the focus is on interviews, "personal communication" can also refer to other forms of direct communication, such as emails, phone conversations, and private letters. The same citation rules apply.
  • Permission: While not part of the citation format, it is ethically imperative to obtain permission from the interviewee before citing them, especially if the information is sensitive or not publicly available. APA guidelines emphasize ethical research practices.
Example of Multiple Citations:
J. Smith (personal communication, January 15, 2023) explained the process. Smith also stated that the results were preliminary (J. Smith, personal communication, February 20, 2023).
Example with different type of personal communication:
(M. Lee, personal communication, email message, October 31, 2023).