How to Cite a Medical Journal Article with Multiple Authors
Citing a medical journal article with multiple authors is an essential skill for healthcare professionals, researchers, and students. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original authors but also helps readers locate the source of the information. In this article, we will discuss the standard format for citing a medical journal article with multiple authors and provide examples to illustrate the process.
General Format
The general format for citing a medical journal article with multiple authors is as follows:
Author(s). (Year). Article title. Journal Name, volume(issue), page range. DOI or URL.
Example 1: Print Format
Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Doe, M. (2020). The impact of exercise on cardiovascular health. Journal of Cardiology, 75(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jch.2020.01.005
In this example, the article has three authors. The authors’ names are listed in alphabetical order, followed by the year of publication, the article title, the journal name, volume, issue, page range, and the DOI.
Example 2: Online Format
Garcia, A., Martinez, B., & Ramirez, C. (2019). The role of nutrition in cancer prevention. Nutrition Reviews, 77(5), 295-306. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuz003
This example demonstrates how to cite an online article with multiple authors. The format is similar to the print format, but the URL is included instead of the DOI.
Formatting Multiple Authors
When citing an article with multiple authors, there are a few rules to follow:
1. If there are three or fewer authors, list all their names in the citation.
2. If there are more than three authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) after the first author’s name.
3. Use commas to separate author names and “et al.” from the rest of the citation.
Example 3: Multiple Authors
Smith, J., et al. (2021). The effects of sleep on cognitive function. Sleep Medicine, 76, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleepmed.2020.12.003
In this example, the article has more than three authors, so “et al.” is used after the first author’s name.
Conclusion
Citing a medical journal article with multiple authors is a crucial skill for anyone involved in healthcare or research. By following the standard format and rules for formatting multiple authors, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and complete. Always check the specific citation style guidelines provided by your institution or publication to ensure compliance with their requirements.
