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APA – Citing Sources

Organizations as authors

Sometimes corporations, authorities, organizations and such, are publishing material that is not the words of a specific author. These organizations etc. are noted in their full form each time they are cited. Many organizations have established abbreviations for their names, known as acronyms. You may want to use the acronym instead of the full name if it is well known. 
The first time you refer to such an organization, write the full name followed by the acronym. After that, just use the acronym. Note that this is done slightly differently depending on whether it is a narrative or parenthetical citation.

In the reference list, the full form of the name of the organization is noted.

The first occasion:

  • (North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO], 2007).
  • According to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, 2007)...

The following occasions:

  • (NATO, 2007).
  • NATO (2007)...