Short Answer
When It Makes Sense
- Good fit: You are writing a paper for a university course that explicitly cites the 6th edition in its instructor’s guidelines. Following APA 6 ensures compliance and avoids unnecessary revisions.
- Good fit: You are submitting to a journal that has recently updated its author instructions to the 7th edition, and you want to take advantage of the newer citation formats and bias‑free language recommendations.
When You Should Avoid It
- Warning sign: Your deadline is very tight and you have only a 6th‑edition style guide or template at hand; switching to the 7th edition could introduce formatting errors and delay.
- Warning sign: The publisher or conference you are targeting has not yet adopted the 7th edition, and insisting on it may lead to manuscript rejection or extra work to reformat.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- APA 7 includes clearer guidelines for citing online sources, social media, and audiovisual material, reducing ambiguity for modern research.
- The 7th edition emphasizes inclusive, bias‑free language, helping writers produce more culturally sensitive work.
Cons
- Many legacy templates, reference managers, and style‑check tools are still tuned to APA 6, requiring extra effort to adapt them for the 7th edition.
- Some instructors and journals continue to require the exact formatting of the 6th edition, so using APA 7 could result in non‑compliance.
Decision Checklist
- Does your institution, instructor, or target publication explicitly require a specific APA edition?
- Do you have up‑to‑date resources (manual, templates, reference‑manager style) for the edition you are considering?
- Will adopting the newer edition improve clarity or compliance with current scholarly standards for your project?
Alternatives to Consider
If APA requirements are flexible, you might choose another citation style that better matches your discipline, such as MLA for humanities or Chicago for history. Alternatively, you can use a hybrid approach—apply APA 7’s core principles (e.g., bias‑free language) while retaining 6th‑edition formatting for elements that are still mandated.
Final Recommendation
In most cases, adopt APA 7 when you have the freedom to choose, as it reflects current best practices and offers clearer guidance for digital sources. However, if your professor, journal, or organization explicitly states APA 6, stick with that edition to avoid unnecessary rework. When uncertainty remains, consult the relevant style guide or ask a supervisor before finalizing.
FAQ
Should I use APA 6 or 7?
Use APA 7 if you have flexibility, as it reflects the latest standards and clearer digital source guidelines. Stick with APA 6 when your instructor, institution, or publication explicitly requires that edition to avoid rework.
What should I consider before I use APA 6 or 7?
Check the required edition in the relevant style guide, ensure you have up‑to‑date resources for that edition, assess your deadline and the availability of templates, and consider whether the newer edition’s benefits (e.g., inclusive language) are important for your work.
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