How to reference an article with multiple authors is an essential skill for anyone engaged in academic writing or research. With the increasing complexity of modern research, articles often feature multiple contributors, each bringing their expertise and insights to the table. Properly referencing these articles not only acknowledges the work of each author but also ensures the credibility and integrity of your own research. In this article, we will guide you through the process of referencing an article with multiple authors according to various citation styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago.
In the APA citation style, when referencing an article with multiple authors, you list all the authors’ last names followed by their first initials, separated by commas. If there are more than six authors, list the first six authors followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”). The title of the article is placed in quotation marks, followed by the title of the journal in italics, the volume and issue number (if available), and the year of publication. For example:
Smith, J., Johnson, L., Brown, M., Davis, N., Wilson, P., & Thompson, R. (2019). The impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems. Journal of Environmental Studies, 53(2), 45-58.
In MLA citation style, the process is similar, but the format is slightly different. All authors are listed with their last names followed by their first initials, separated by commas. The title of the article is placed in quotation marks, followed by the title of the journal in italics, the volume and issue number (if available), and the year of publication. For example:
Smith, John, et al. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Ecosystems.” Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 53, no. 2, 2019, pp. 45-58.
In the Chicago citation style, the format for referencing an article with multiple authors is as follows: the authors’ names are listed in the order they appear in the original publication, followed by the title of the article in quotation marks, the title of the journal in italics, the volume and issue number (if available), and the year of publication. For example:
Smith, John, et al. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Ecosystems.” Journal of Environmental Studies, 53, no. 2 (2019): 45-58.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you are accurately and ethically referencing articles with multiple authors in your research. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original authors but also helps readers locate the source material and verify the information presented in your work.
