How should personal communications be cited in APA format?

In APA format, personal communications should be cited in the text but not included in the reference list. The correct approach is to provide the name of the person who communicated the information, followed by the phrase "personal communication," and then the date of the communication. This format conveys to the reader that the information is not retrievable from any public source, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of the research.

This method of citation acknowledges the source of the information while also indicating that it comes from a direct interaction rather than a published source. Personal communications can include interviews, personal emails, or private conversations, and thus require this specific treatment in the text to maintain clarity and adhere to APA guidelines.