In-text citation
Cite sources with a number in parentheses or superscript, in the order they first appear in the text.
Daily journalling has been shown to improve working memory (1).
Direct quote: Multiple sources: "...consistent with earlier findings (1,3).
References
Number entries in citation order (not alphabetically). Use standard journal title abbreviations (per NLM/PubMed) and list up to six authors before switching to "et al."
| Source type | Example citation |
|---|---|
| Journal article | Garcia L, Park S. Sleep deprivation and academic performance in first-year students. J Educ Psychol. 2024;116(3):441-58. |
| Book | Smyth JM. The cognitive journal: writing for mental clarity. 2nd ed. Boston: Academic Press; 2021. |
| Book chapter | Williams C. Metacognition in higher education. In: Clarke B, Park D, editors. Handbook of learning science. London: Sage; 2023. p. 114-38. |
| Website | American Psychological Association. Understanding your learning style [Internet]. Washington: APA; 2023 [cited 2024 Jun 2]. Available from: https://www.apa.org/topics/learning |
Key formatting rules
- Reference numbers follow citation order in the text, not the alphabet.
- Use standard NLM/PubMed journal abbreviations, not full journal titles.
- List up to six authors, then use "et al." for the seventh onward.
- No spaces around the colon and semicolon in the date/volume/page string (e.g. 2024;116(3):441-58).
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing out the full journal name instead of the standard abbreviation.
- Adding a period after "et al" or misplacing it before the year.
- Sorting references alphabetically instead of by citation order.