Should I Use Apa 6 Or 7?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: Your university or journal still requires APA 6th edition. In such cases following the mandated guidelines avoids unnecessary revisions and ensures compliance.
• Good fit: You are working on a manuscript that was originally drafted in APA 6 and the editorial workflow does not demand an update. Maintaining consistency throughout the document can save time and reduce formatting errors.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: Your target publication has explicitly adopted APA 7th edition. Submitting in the older format may lead to desk rejections or requests for extensive reformatting.
• Warning sign: Your research heavily cites online sources, social media, or multimedia, which are handled more clearly under APA 7. Persisting with APA 6 could result in ambiguous citations.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• APA 7 simplifies citation of electronic materials, providing specific formats for DOIs, URLs, and social media, which improves clarity for modern research.
• The 7th edition includes expanded guidance on reducing bias in language, supporting more inclusive writing practices.

Cons

• Transitioning from APA 6 to APA 7 may require re‑formatting existing documents, which can be time‑consuming, especially for large works.
• Some legacy databases, citation tools, or institutional style sheets may still be calibrated to APA 6, leading to mismatched automated formatting.

Decision Checklist

• Does the institution, conference, or publisher you are submitting to specify a required APA edition?
• Are the majority of your sources digital or multimedia, and would APA 7’s rules simplify their citation?
• Do you have the resources (time, software support) to convert an existing APA 6 document to APA 7 without compromising quality?

Alternatives to Consider

If neither edition aligns perfectly with your needs, consider using a flexible citation manager that can toggle between APA 6 and APA 7 styles, or adopt a hybrid approach: follow APA 7 for new sources while retaining APA 6 formatting for sections already finalized. In some fields, other styles like Chicago or MLA may be accepted and could reduce the learning curve.

Final Recommendation

Start by confirming any external style mandates. If none exist, favor APA 7 for its clearer treatment of electronic sources and bias‑free language, especially for new projects. For legacy documents or strict institutional requirements, APA 6 remains acceptable. When in doubt, consult a writing center, editor, or the specific publication’s style guide to avoid costly revisions.