Transitioning your academic paper from APA (American Psychological Association) style to Turabian Notes-Bibliography style involves comprehensive adjustments in citation formatting and bibliography entries. This shift is common for graduate-level research, especially in disciplines like global leadership, theology, history, and international development. The following guide provides maximum detail, with clear explanations and extensive examples to simplify your transition.
Key Differences Between APA and Turabian Notes-Bibliography Style
APA style typically uses parenthetical author-date citations within the text, with a corresponding reference list at the end. In contrast, Turabian Notes-Bibliography style primarily relies on footnotes (at the bottom of the page) and a detailed bibliography at the end.
Example of APA Citation:
Global leadership is increasingly essential for organizational effectiveness (Northouse, 2019, p. 45).
Example of Turabian Notes-Bibliography Citation:
Global leadership is increasingly essential for organizational effectiveness.¹
Footnote at page bottom:
¹ Peter G. Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, 8th ed. (Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2019), 45.
How to Correctly Modify Your Citations from APA to Turabian
Below are comprehensive examples demonstrating how to adjust different citation types from APA format to Turabian Notes-Bibliography format:
1. Books: Single Author
APA:
Northouse, P. G. (2019). Leadership: Theory and practice (8th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Turabian Footnote:
¹ Peter G. Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, 8th ed. (Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2019), 45.
Bibliography (Turabian):
Northouse, Peter G. Leadership: Theory and Practice. 8th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2019.
2. Books: Multiple Authors
APA:
Yukl, G., & Gardner, W. L. (2020). Leadership in organizations (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Turabian Footnote:
¹ Gary Yukl and William L. Gardner, Leadership in Organizations, 9th ed. (Boston, MA: Pearson, 2020), 77.
Bibliography (Turabian):
Yukl, Gary, and William L. Gardner. Leadership in Organizations. 9th ed. Boston, MA: Pearson, 2020.
3. Journal Articles
APA:
Harter, J. K., Schmidt, F. L., & Hayes, T. L. (2002). Business-unit-level relationship between employee satisfaction and business outcomes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(2), 268–279.
Turabian Footnote:
¹ James K. Harter, Frank L. Schmidt, and Theodore L. Hayes, “Business-Unit-Level Relationship Between Employee Satisfaction and Business Outcomes,” Journal of Applied Psychology 87, no. 2 (2002): 270.
Bibliography (Turabian):
Harter, James K., Frank L. Schmidt, and Theodore L. Hayes. “Business-Unit-Level Relationship Between Employee Satisfaction and Business Outcomes.” Journal of Applied Psychology 87, no. 2 (2002): 268–279.
4. Chapters in Edited Books
APA:
Bass, B. M. (2008). Transformational leadership: Industrial, military, and educational impact. In J. Antonakis & R. J. Sternberg (Eds.), The nature of leadership (pp. 41–65). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Turabian Footnote:
¹ Bernard M. Bass, “Transformational Leadership: Industrial, Military, and Educational Impact,” in The Nature of Leadership, ed. John Antonakis and Robert J. Sternberg (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2008), 50.
Bibliography (Turabian):
Bass, Bernard M. “Transformational Leadership: Industrial, Military, and Educational Impact.” In The Nature of Leadership, edited by John Antonakis and Robert J. Sternberg, 41–65. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2008.
5. Web Sources
APA:
Glosserman, B. (2023, August 10). Peak Japan: The End of Great Ambitions. Japan Times. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/peak-japan
Turabian Footnote:
¹ Brad Glosserman, “Peak Japan: The End of Great Ambitions,” Japan Times, August 10, 2023, accessed March 20, 2025, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/peak-japan.
Bibliography (Turabian):
Glosserman, Brad. “Peak Japan: The End of Great Ambitions.” Japan Times, August 10, 2023. Accessed March 20, 2025. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/peak-japan.
6. Dissertations and Theses
APA:
Doe, J. (2024). Global Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (UMI No. 123456)
Turabian Footnote:
¹ John Doe, “Global Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations” (PhD diss., Sudo International University, 2024), 35, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global (123456).
Bibliography (Turabian):
Doe, John. “Global Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations.” PhD diss., Sudo International University, 2024. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global (123456).
Common Errors to Avoid in Citation and Bibliography Modification
Students frequently make the following mistakes when modifying citations from APA to Turabian:
- Incorrect Name Order: Bibliographies must start with the author's last name, followed by the first name.
- Missing Page Numbers: Turabian footnotes always require precise page numbers when citing specific ideas or quotes.
- Omitting Publisher Details: Unlike APA, Turabian requires the city of publication and the publisher clearly listed.
- Incorrect Web Citations: Include both URL and the date of access for web resources.
Tips for Successful Transition to Turabian
- Always verify footnotes match your bibliography in terms of publication details but differ slightly in formatting.
- Ensure consistency in punctuation: commas and parentheses are critical in Turabian footnotes.
- Use shortened citation forms after the first complete footnote entry.
SIU's Emphasis on Turabian Standards
At Sudo International University (SIU), located in Kwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea, scholars in global leadership and international development rigorously adhere to Turabian’s Notes-Bibliography style for dissertations and publications. SIU’s dedication to scholarly excellence underscores the importance of correctly transitioning from APA, as demonstrated in the clarity and precision of Turabian style citations and bibliographies utilized by its faculty and students.
Conclusion: Benefits of Mastering Turabian Style
Mastering Turabian Notes-Bibliography style allows graduate students and scholars to present their research professionally and rigorously. This citation style clearly and precisely demonstrates academic rigor and facilitates easy verification and further research. By carefully applying the steps and examples provided, transitioning from APA to Turabian becomes straightforward, ensuring scholarly accuracy and high academic standards in all your research endeavors.
