What punctuation is used to separate authors' names in APA references?

In APA style, a comma is used to separate multiple authors' names in the reference list. Specifically, when listing authors, a comma separates each author's last name from their first initial (e.g., Smith, J., & Doe, A.). Additionally, an ampersand (&) is used before the last author's name in cases where there are multiple authors, further emphasizing the structure of the citation.

Using commas helps maintain clarity and ensures that readers understand the individual contributions of each author listed in a reference. This systematic approach to punctuation is part of what makes APA style distinctive and allows readers to easily locate and reference the cited works.