How to Do Citation with Multiple Authors
Citations are an essential part of academic writing, as they help to give credit to the original authors of the ideas and information used in your work. When citing a source with multiple authors, it is important to follow a specific format to ensure accuracy and consistency. In this article, we will discuss how to do citation with multiple authors, including the different citation styles and their respective rules.
APA Citation Style
The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is commonly used in the social sciences and humanities. When citing a source with multiple authors in APA style, you should follow these steps:
1. List all the authors’ last names, followed by their first initials.
2. Separate the authors’ names with commas.
3. Add the publication date in parentheses.
4. Include the title of the source, the name of the journal or book, and the volume and issue numbers (if applicable).
5. Finally, provide the page numbers of the cited material.
Example: Smith, J. A., Johnson, L. B., & Lee, C. D. (2020). The impact of climate change on coastal communities. Journal of Environmental Studies, 42(3), 45-58.
MLA Citation Style
The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style is widely used in the humanities. When citing a source with multiple authors in MLA style, follow these guidelines:
1. List all the authors’ last names, followed by their first initials.
2. Separate the authors’ names with commas.
3. Add the publication date in parentheses.
4. Include the title of the source, the name of the journal or book, and the volume and issue numbers (if applicable).
5. Provide the page numbers of the cited material.
Example: Smith, John, et al. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Communities.” Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 42, no. 3, 2020, pp. 45-58.
Chicago Citation Style
The Chicago citation style is used in a variety of disciplines and offers two different formats: the Notes-Bibliography system and the Author-Date system. Here’s how to cite a source with multiple authors in each format:
1. Notes-Bibliography System: Follow the same guidelines as APA and MLA, but include a footnote or endnote with the complete citation.
Example: Footnote: 1. John Smith, L. B. Johnson, and C. D. Lee, “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Communities,” Journal of Environmental Studies 42, no. 3 (2020): 45-58.
2. Author-Date System: Include the authors’ names in the text, followed by the publication date in parentheses.
Example: According to Smith, Johnson, and Lee (2020), the impact of climate change on coastal communities is significant.
Conclusion
Citing sources with multiple authors is an important aspect of academic writing. By following the appropriate citation style and format, you can ensure that your work is accurate and properly credited. Remember to always check the specific guidelines of your academic institution or publisher to ensure compliance with their requirements.