How to Cite BMJ (British Medical Journal) in APA Format

Complete guide to citing BMJ (British Medical Journal) in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

BMJ (British Medical Journal) presents unique citation challenges that require specific guidance beyond general source type rules. This page provides targeted help for finding citation information, handling BMJ (British Medical Journal)'s particular format requirements, and avoiding common mistakes specific to this platform.

Quick Reference: BMJ (British Medical Journal) Citations

Reference List Format:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx

BMJ (British Medical Journal)-Specific Notes:
Citing articles from the BMJ (British Medical Journal) can be unique due to its adherence to specific citation guidelines that may differ slightly from standard APA formatting. In the APA 7th edition, when citing a journal article with up to 20 authors, you list all authors' last names followed by their initials. However, the BMJ often follows guidelines similar to those used in medical and scientific publications, which may require different nuances in formatting. For instance, the BMJ typically requires the inclusion of all authors when there are six or fewer and the first three authors followed by "et al." when there are more than six, which contrasts with APA’s limit of listing up to 20 authors.

One common point of confusion for students is the proper representation of the article's DOI or URL. In APA, the DOI is preferred for electronic articles, presented as a hyperlink starting with "https://doi.org/". However, students might mistakenly omit this or format it incorrectly for BMJ articles, especially if the DOI is not immediately apparent. Additionally, students might confuse the order and the punctuation used in BMJ citations, which may slightly differ from APA’s structured approach.

To avoid common mistakes, students should carefully verify the number of authors and apply the correct format based on the journal's expectations. It is also crucial to ensure that the DOI is correctly formatted and that the citation is double-checked against both APA and BMJ-specific guidelines. Students should consult the BMJ's author instructions or use citation management tools that support BMJ formatting to ensure accuracy. Reading through recent BMJ articles to observe citation styles can also be beneficial for understanding these nuances.

In-Text Citation:
- Parenthetical: ([Author], [Year])
- Narrative: [Author] ([Year])

Key Points:
- Use Journal Article format with BMJ (British Medical Journal) specifics
- Locate citation info on BMJ (British Medical Journal)'s website
- Handle BMJ (British Medical Journal)'s unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-10-30 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Where to Find Citation Information on BMJ (British Medical Journal)

Navigating the BMJ (British Medical Journal) website to gather citation information involves a few straightforward steps, as the website is designed to provide clear and accessible access to necessary details. Here is a detailed guide on how to locate the required citation information such as the author, publication date, title, and URL/access information on the BMJ website.

Author

1. Locate the Article: After navigating to the BMJ website, use the search bar at the top of the homepage to find the specific article you wish to cite.

2. Author Byline: Once you've opened the article, look for the author byline. This is typically positioned just below the article title. The authors' names will be listed here, often alongside their professional affiliations.

Publication Date

1. Position of the Date: Directly beneath the article title and adjacent to the author byline, you will find the publication date. BMJ articles clearly display the date, which is crucial for citation purposes.

Title

1. Article Title: The title of the article is prominently displayed at the top of the page, directly above the author byline and publication date. Ensure you copy the title exactly as it appears, including any subtitles if applicable.

URL/Access Information

1. Browser Address Bar: The URL for the article is located in the browser’s address bar. This is the web address you will use in your citation to direct readers to the specific article. It is essential to ensure the URL is complete and accurate.

2. Permalinks: BMJ also provides a stable link, sometimes referred to as a permalink, which can be found in the article’s sharing options. This link is often considered more reliable for academic citations.

Additional Tips

• Journal Name and Volume: If required, the journal name (BMJ) and volume/issue number are usually found at the top of the article page or in the citation tools provided by BMJ.

• Citations Tools: BMJ often provides citation tools or buttons on the article page. These tools can automatically generate citations in various formats, including APA, which can be a helpful resource for ensuring accuracy.

By following these steps, you can efficiently gather all the necessary information to properly cite articles from the BMJ in your academic work. The BMJ website’s intuitive layout makes it relatively straightforward to locate each piece of information required for APA citations.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your BMJ (British Medical Journal) Citation

What You Need

Before you start creating a citation for an article from the British Medical Journal (BMJ), gather the following information:

1. Author(s) names: Find the full names of the authors as they appear in the article.
2. Publication year: Locate the year the article was published.
3. Article title: Write down the full title of the article.
4. Journal title: Make sure you have the full title of the journal, which is British Medical Journal.
5. Volume and issue number: Note the volume number and the issue number of the journal.
6. Page range: Identify the page range for the article.
7. DOI link: Find the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) link for the article.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Identify the Authors

• Action: Look for the section of the article where the authors' names are listed. This is usually at the top of the article.
• Verification: Ensure you have the correct format for the names, which should include the last name followed by the initials of the first and middle names.
• Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
• Tip: If there are multiple authors, remember to separate the last two authors with an ampersand (&).

2. Determine the Publication Year

• Action: Check the publication date, often found near the title or in the citation details.
• Verification: Make sure you use the year only, without additional information like the month or day.
• Time Estimate: 1 minute.
• Tip: Keep the publication date handy, as it is crucial for the citation format.

3. Write Down the Article Title

• Action: Find the title of the article, which is typically located just below the authors' names.
• Verification: Ensure the title is in sentence case, meaning only the first letter of the first word and any proper nouns are capitalized.
• Time Estimate: 1 minute.
• Tip: Double-check for any special characters or punctuation in the title.

4. Locate the Journal Title, Volume, and Issue Number

• Action: Look for the journal title, volume number, and issue number, usually found in the header or footer of the article.
• Verification: Confirm that the journal title is italicized in your citation. The volume number is also italicized, while the issue number is in parentheses and not italicized.
• Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
• Tip: Make sure you note any specific formatting for the volume and issue.

5. Identify the Page Range

• Action: Find the page numbers where the article appears. This information is often listed near the volume and issue.
• Verification: Ensure you have the complete range (e.g., 123-130) and that it reflects the actual pages the article covers.
• Time Estimate: 1 minute.
• Tip: If the article has a single page number, you can use that number as both the start and end (e.g., 123).

6. Find the DOI Link

• Action: Look for the DOI, which is a unique identifier for the article. It is often found at the top or bottom of the article.
• Verification: Ensure the DOI starts with "https://doi.org/" followed by the unique identifier number.
• Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
• Tip: If the DOI is not available, check the article's webpage for it or visit the BMJ website to search for it.

7. Compile Your Citation

• Action: Use the gathered information to create your citation using the provided template:
  Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx.
• Verification: Double-check each part of the citation against the information you have collected for accuracy and proper formatting.
• Time Estimate: 3 minutes.
• Tip: Create a checklist of each component to ensure nothing is missed.

8. Final Review and Adjustments

• Action: Review the entire citation for any formatting errors or typos.
• Verification: Ensure that the citation adheres to APA guidelines, including punctuation and italics.
• Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
• Tip: Consider using citation management software in the future to streamline

Real Examples from BMJ (British Medical Journal)

This section provides authentic citation examples from BMJ (British Medical Journal) using recent publications from 2023-2024.

As of my last update, I am unable to access real-time data or browse specific websites to retrieve content. However, I can guide you on how to create APA citations based on hypothetical examples from BMJ content. Once you have the necessary details, you can fill in the specifics. Here are four varied examples of how to format APA citations for articles from BMJ:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description: This is a standard research article authored by an individual, focusing on current medical research findings published in BMJ in 2023.

Reference List Citation:
Smith, J. A. (2023). The impact of lifestyle changes on cardiovascular health. BMJ, 380(1), 45-50. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-123456

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Smith, 2023)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
Smith (2023)

Notes: This example highlights a typical single-author research article, showing how to format an article with a DOI, which is a unique digital identifier for the content.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description: This piece is a report published by a health organization, presenting statistical data on public health trends.

Reference List Citation:
World Health Organization. (2023). Global health statistics 2023: Key findings. BMJ, 380(2), 100-110. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-234567

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(World Health Organization, 2023)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
World Health Organization (2023)

Notes: This citation shows how to handle corporate authorship. It is crucial when the article is published by an organization rather than an individual.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description: A collaborative research study involving multiple authors, discussing recent advancements in cancer treatment.

Reference List Citation:
Johnson, L. M., Patel, R. K., & Chen, Y. L. (2023). Advances in immunotherapy for cancer treatment. BMJ, 381(3), 200-210. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-345678

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Johnson, Patel, & Chen, 2023)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
Johnson, Patel, and Chen (2023)

Notes: This example demonstrates how to cite an article with up to 20 authors. Only the first few authors are listed before an ellipsis, followed by the final author's name if there are more than 20 authors.

Example 4: Special Formatting Case

Scenario Description: An editorial piece or commentary in BMJ, authored by an expert in the field, discussing ethical issues in medical research.

Reference List Citation:
Adams, B. (2023). Ethical dilemmas in modern medical research. BMJ, 382(4), e456. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-456789

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Adams, 2023)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
Adams (2023)

Notes: This citation illustrates how to handle articles that may have an "e" page number, a common formatting feature in some journals where articles are presented electronically without traditional pagination.

Additional Tips:

• Ensure that the DOI is always included if available, as it provides a permanent link to the content.
• Titles of articles should be in sentence case, while journal names should be in title case and italicized.
• For articles with more than 20 authors, list the first 19 authors, insert an ellipsis, and then add the final author's name.

These guidelines will help you accurately format citations for BMJ articles following APA 7th edition standards. When accessing the actual articles, make sure to adapt the details accordingly.

Common Issues When Citing BMJ (British Medical Journal)

Problem 1: Finding Authors

Issue Description:
Students often struggle to identify the correct authors for articles in the BMJ (British Medical Journal). This is because BMJ articles may list numerous contributors, including editors, reviewers, and researchers, making it challenging to discern the primary authors.

Why it Happens:
BMJ articles frequently involve collaborative work among large teams, and the journal's interface can list numerous names in the "Authors" section, encompassing contributors beyond the traditional author role.

Solution:
1. Locate the article on BMJ's website.
2. Click on the article title to open its detailed view.
3. Scroll down to the "Authors" section. Focus only on those listed at the beginning of the article, typically under the title and before the abstract.
4. If an article has an "Authorship" or "Contributors" note, read it to understand the specific roles of each contributor.

Example:
- Before: Listing every name under "Contributors," leading to a lengthy and incorrect citation.
- After: Only include the names under the main "Authors" section as shown on the article's main page.

Problem 2: Date Formats

Issue Description:
Students may cite incorrect publication dates for BMJ articles, often due to the presence of multiple dates on the webpage (e.g., submission, acceptance, and online publication dates).

Why it Happens:
BMJ articles often display several dates, which can confuse students unfamiliar with which date to use for citations.

Solution:
1. Identify the "Published" date, which is the most relevant for citations. This is usually found near the article title or abstract.
2. Ignore other dates such as submission or acceptance unless explicitly required by a particular style guide.

Example:
- Before: Using the submission date (e.g., "Submitted: March 1, 2023").
- After: Using the publication date (e.g., "Published: April 15, 2023").

Problem 3: URL Handling

Issue Description:
Students may have difficulty correctly formatting URLs for BMJ articles, which can lead to broken links or incorrect citations in their reference list.

Why it Happens:
BMJ articles often have long URLs that include session identifiers or tracking information, which can be confusing to format correctly in citations.

Solution:
1. Always use the DOI link provided by BMJ if available, as it is more stable and preferred in APA citations.
2. If the DOI is not available, use the simplest version of the URL without session-specific parameters. This is often found in the browser's address bar when viewing the article.

Example:
- Before: “https://www.bmj.com/content/123/456/789?session=abc123&track=xyz”
- After: “https://www.bmj.com/content/123/456/789” or “https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.123456”

Problem 4: Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Students might struggle with citing BMJ articles due to access restrictions, often misunderstanding the availability of full-text articles.

Why it Happens:
BMJ is a subscription-based journal, leading to some articles being behind paywalls. Students unfamiliar with their institution's access might mistakenly believe an article is unavailable.

Solution:
1. Check institutional access through your library's website to see if BMJ articles are available.
2. If access is restricted, use library services like interlibrary loans or document delivery to obtain the full text.
3. When citing, note if the article was accessed through a specific platform or database if required by your instructor or institution.

Example:
- Before: Accessing only the abstract and citing it as if the full text was available.
- After: Successfully accessing the full article through the library and citing it accurately with full details.

By addressing these common citation problems with BMJ articles, students can improve their citation accuracy and avoid common pitfalls associated with this specific source.

Note: For general Journal Article citation errors, see How to Cite Journal Article.

Frequently Asked Questions About BMJ (British Medical Journal)

Q: How can I find the necessary citation information on the BMJ (British Medical Journal) website?

A: To locate citation information on the BMJ website, navigate to the article's page where you'll find details such as the authors, publication date, volume, issue, and DOI (Digital Object Identifier) typically listed at the top or bottom of the article. It's crucial to note these elements as they form the basis of your APA citation.

Q: How should I handle the unique author formats presented by BMJ (British Medical Journal) for APA citations?

A: BMJ articles often list authors with full names, but for APA citations, you should format authors as Last Name, Initial(s). If there are multiple authors, list up to 20 and use an ampersand before the last author's name. If there are more than 20 authors, list the first 19, an ellipsis, and the final author's name.

Q: How do I correctly format the publication date for an article from the BMJ (British Medical Journal) in APA style?

A: BMJ articles often provide the publication date in day-month-year format. In APA style, reformat this as year, month day (e.g., 2023, October 10) and include it in parentheses immediately after the author's names in your citation.

Q: What are the requirements for including a URL or access information when citing BMJ (British Medical Journal) articles in APA?

A: When citing BMJ articles accessed online, include the URL or DOI at the end of your citation. Preferably use a DOI if available, as it provides a permanent link to the material. If a DOI is not available, use the direct URL of the article.

Q: How does citing BMJ (British Medical Journal) articles differ from citing other journal articles in APA format?

A: While the general structure of citing a journal article in APA is consistent, BMJ articles may have unique elements like multiple authors, specific publication date formats, and readily available DOIs. Pay attention to these details to ensure accurate citation, especially since BMJ, as a medical journal, often emphasizes thorough documentation.

Related Guides

Similar Source Types:

• Journal Article - Complete guide to citing journal article

Related Specific Sources:

• Similar Source - How to cite similar sources

Validation Guides:

• Check Capitalization
• Validate URL Format
• Check Author Formatting
• Validate DOI Format

Need More Help?

• Citation Checker Tool - Validate your BMJ (British Medical Journal) citations automatically
• Complete APA Guide - Comprehensive APA 7th edition reference

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