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How to Cite Primary Sources: Interviews and Surveys

This guide will outline how to cite a variety of primary sources in APA, MLA, and Chicago formats

Interviews

For interviews that are published (in a book, newspaper, magazine, etc) the citation in your bibliography should follow the formatting styles of these source types. Here we will go over personal interviews, or otherwise unpublished interviews and how to cite them. 

APA

When using APA format, personal interviews require no formal citation in a bibliography. Instead, these can be cited in-text using the following format: Name of communicator (First initial, last name), "personal communication", and date.

For example: (G. Hoverson, Personal Communication, June 4, 2024)

Online resources and websites with interviews can be cited the same way. 

Chicago

When using Chicago style, refer to the following format: First Name Last Name (interviewee), Discussion of Interview Type with First Name Last Name (interviewer), Location of Interview, Date. 

For example: Doug Hoverson, interview with Jim Thomas, Milwaukee, WI, June 4th, 2024. 

For an online resource or website, here is an example: ABC Sportscaster Lynn Swann interviewing FSU head football coach Bobby Bowden - Tallahassee, Florida. 1997-10-18. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/11227>, accessed 24 October 2024.

MLA

When using MLA format, refer to the following: Last name, First name. Interview. Conducted by name. Date.

For example: Thomas, Jim. Interview. Doug Hoverson. June 4th, 2024. 

For an online resource or a website, here is an example: ABC Sportscaster Lynn Swann interviewing FSU head football coach Bobby Bowden - Tallahassee, Florida. 1997-10-18. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/11227>

Surveys

MLA

When using MLA format, refer to the following: Survey Conductor. Parent Organization. URL

For example: Gale George Data Center. Pew Research Group. https://gale-research.org

Chicago

When using Chicago Style, refer to the following: Name of Survey, Survey conductor, URL and dates (if possible)

For example: Guitar Players Who Use Fender Guitars, Pew Research Group, 2021. 

APA

When using APA format, cite surveys in-text only unless they are published. If they are published, cite based on the format of publication (website, book, newspaper, etc.)