Guidelines for Citing Sources with Two Authors- Best Practices and Examples

How to Cite When Two Authors

In academic writing, citing sources is an essential part of the research process. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original authors but also helps readers locate the sources easily. When it comes to citing a source with two authors, there are specific guidelines to follow to ensure accuracy and consistency. This article will discuss the different citation styles and provide examples on how to cite when two authors are involved.

APA Style

The American Psychological Association (APA) style is commonly used in the social sciences. When citing a source with two authors, the format is as follows:

– Author(s). (Year). Title of the source. Source title, volume(issue number), page numbers.

Example:
Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). The impact of climate change on coastal communities. Journal of Environmental Studies, 12(3), 45-58.

If the source is a book, the format changes slightly:

– Author(s). (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.

Example:
Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). Coastal communities and climate change. New York: Springer.

MLA Style

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is used primarily in the humanities. When citing a source with two authors, the format is as follows:

– Author(s). “Title of the Source.” Title of the Source, volume(issue number), year, page numbers.

Example:
Smith, John, and Lisa Johnson. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Communities.” Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 12, no. 3, 2020, pp. 45-58.

If the source is a book, the format remains the same:

– Author(s). Title of the Book. Publisher, Year.

Example:
Smith, John, and Lisa Johnson. Coastal Communities and Climate Change. Springer, 2020.

Chicago Style

The Chicago Manual of Style has two citation formats: the Notes-Bibliography system and the Author-Date system. Here are the formats for each:

Notes-Bibliography System:
– Author(s). “Title of the Source.” Title of the Source, volume(issue number), year, page numbers. Note.

Example:
Smith, John, and Lisa Johnson. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Communities.” Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 12, no. 3, 2020, pp. 45-58. Note 1.

Author-Date System:
– Author(s). “Title of the Source.” Title of the Source, volume(issue number), year, page numbers.

Example:
Smith, John, and Lisa Johnson. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Communities.” Journal of Environmental Studies, 12(3), 2020, 45-58.

For books, the format remains the same as in APA and MLA styles:

– Author(s). Title of the Book. Publisher, Year.

Example:
Smith, John, and Lisa Johnson. Coastal Communities and Climate Change. Springer, 2020.

In conclusion, when citing a source with two authors, it is crucial to follow the specific guidelines of the chosen citation style. By doing so, you ensure accuracy, consistency, and proper credit to the original authors.