An in-text citation appears in parentheses within the text of a paper, in order to indicate that a source is being cited. Every in-text citation must correspond to a reference at the end of the paper. (The only exceptions are personal communication and religious or classical works.)
In-text citations includes the author's last name and the publication date. If the author's name is already given in the text of the paper, then it is not given again inside the parentheses.
Example:
Williams (2002) claims that keeping pets is beneficial for seniors...
If the author's name is not already given in the text of the paper, then it is given inside the parentheses.
Example:
Research suggests that keeping pets is beneficial for seniors (Williams, 2002).
If the citation is for a direct quotation, then the page number is included at the end of the quotation.
Example (with author's name already given in the text):
According to Williams (2008), "keeping companion animals has been shown to have a positive impact on the general well being of older adults" (p. 10).
Example (with author's name not already given in the text):
Research on seniors and pets suggests that that keeping pets has a "positive impact on the general well being of older adults" (Williams, 2008, p. 10).