Citing out source materials in journals that cite an article properly is a fundamental aspect of academic writing which at the same time gives recognition to the authors and sources you use. Each citation style APA, MLA, and Chicago has its own set of rules for journal article format. This guide is to give you that which you need to cite journal articles in these three very common styles.
Why Citing Journal Articles Is Important?
In the academic community it is of great importance APA journal article citation format to cite journal articles which at the same time gives recognition to the original authors and allows the readers to access your research materials. Also by doing so you report on your research process which in turn adds credit to your work. By figuring out which sources we used we in turn avoid Chicago style journal citation plagiarism and also ensure that the intellectual work of others is recognized.
The Basics of Journal Article Citations
In terms of structure a cite journal article APA includes what the author’s name, year of publication, article title, journal name, volume of the journal, issue number, and page range. This info varies by citation style which in turn causes the presentation of the information to differ. It is important to know the specific rules of each style you are using.
APA Citation Format for Journal Articles
In APA style, a journal article citation is formatted as follows:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, volume (issue), page range. https://doi.org/xx.xxx
For example:
Smith, J. (2020). Understanding psychology in education. Journal of Educational Psychology, 45(3), 212-225. https://doi.org/10.1007/edupsy.2020.45.3.212
In APA, the journal title and volume number are italicized, and a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is included when available.
MLA Citation Format for Journal Articles
In cite journal article MLA, journal article citations follow this structure:
Author(s). "Title of the Article." Title of the Journal, vol. number, no. number, year, pages.
For example:
Smith, John. "Understanding Psychology in Education." Journal of Educational Psychology, vol. 45, no. 3, 2020, pp. 212-225.
In MLA, the article title is in quotation marks, and the journal title is italicized. Be sure to include the volume, issue number, and page numbers.
Chicago Style Citation for Journal Articles
In Chicago style, the journal article citation format is as follows:
Author(s). "Title of the Article." Title of the Journal volume number, issue number (year): page range.
For example:
Smith, John. "Understanding Psychology in Education." Journal of Educational Psychology 45, no. 3 (2020): 212-225.
Chicago style also uses italics for the journal title and volume, and the issue number appears in parentheses.
How to Format In-Text Citations for Journal Articles?
In text citations include a reference on how to cite a journal article to the full citation in your bibliography. In APA you put the author’s last name and the year of publication for example (Smith, 2020). In MLA you use the author’s last name and the page number for example (Smith 212). Chicago style has two options for in text citation which is the author date or note system for example (Smith 2020, 212) or a footnote. In text citations also help readers MLA journal article citation example to easily find the full citation in your works cited or bibliography.
Differences between Online and Print Journal Citations
APA style reports out online and print cite journal article Chicago differently, in this case how access info is presented. To do it right you must know the differences which in turn will make your source citations accurate and complete.
Online Journal Citations
These which require a DOI or URL to point to the access location of the article. If a publication date is not available include a retrieval date which will tell when you accessed the article.
Print Journal Citations
For print sources which is what we are dealing with here we include only author, year of publication, title of the work, name of the journal, volume number, issue number and page range. We do not include a DOI or URL.
Citation Style Consistency
Always stick to the set rules of APA in terms of format and content for each source. Consistent application which in turn gives clarity and academic credibility.
Citing Journal Articles with Multiple Authors: A Guide
In the case of journal articles with multiple in text citation for journal articles authors pay attention to the rules of the specific citation style that is required. APA, MLA, and Chicago styles have different guidelines which include the number of authors to note and the way in which they are to be formatted.
APA Style
List up to 20 authors by their last names and initials separated by commas. For more than 20 authors include the first 19, put in an ellipsis, then the final author’s name.
MLA Style
First author’s full name et al. for a work with three or more authors which in turn keeps the citation compact yet inclusive of many contributors.
Chicago Style
List out all author’s full names which should be separated by commas. This style of citation puts forward complete attribution which is to present more detail than what is put forth in APA or MLA.
Common Citation Errors and How to Fix Them
Common mistakes in APA journals article citation are left out punctuation, wrong element order, and out of info like volume or issue numbers. To avoid such errors do pay attention to the citation style guides, check the element order and punctuation. Also use a citation generator which is a great resource but do check the details in person, as recommended by Assignment in Need.
Conclusion
Citing research sources appropriately is of great importance in academic writing and research. It is helpful to know how to properly use APA, MLA, and Chicago styles which in turn gives credibility to your work and presents it transparently. What you put out is supported by proper citation which in turn allows your audience to access and verify your sources thus strengthening your argument and academic integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How Do I Know Which Citation Style to Use?
In which style to cite your sources is based on your academic field. APA which is used in psychology and the social sciences, MLA which is common in the humanities, and Chicago which is used in history and the arts. Also check with your instructor or publisher for what they prefer.
Q2. How Do I Cite a Journal Article in APA 7th Edition?
In APA 7th edition, cite a journal article as follows: Author(s). (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, volume (issue), pages. https://doi.org/xx.xxx. Include the DOI when available, and italicize the journal title and volume number.
Q3. How Do I Cite an Online Journal Article in APA Format?
To cite an online journal article in APA format, include the DOI or URL: Author(s). (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, volume (issue), pages. https://doi.org/xx.xxx.
Q4. What if the Journal Article Has No Author? How Do I Cite it in MLA?
In MLA, if the article has no author, begin the citation with the title of the article, followed by the journal details: "Title of the Article." Title of the Journal, vol. number, no. number, year, pages.
Q5. How Do I Cite a Journal Article with No Publication Date?
If the article has no publication date, use "n.d." (no date) in place of the year in your citation: Author(s). (n.d.). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, volume (issue), pages.