How to Cite Journal of Molecular Biology in APA Format

Complete guide to citing Journal of Molecular Biology in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

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

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Quick Reference: Journal of Molecular Biology Citations

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

Journal of Molecular Biology-Specific Notes:
When citing articles from the Journal of Molecular Biology, it is essential to adhere to specific formatting requirements that differ slightly from standard APA 7th edition guidelines. One notable aspect is the inclusion of the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) in the citation, which is crucial for articles in this journal due to the scientific nature and digital accessibility of its content. The format generally follows the APA style, listing the authors by their last names followed by initials. However, in scientific journals like the Journal of Molecular Biology, the author list can be extensive, often including up to 20 authors. In such cases, all authors must be listed in the order they appear, separated by commas, with an ampersand before the final author.

This differs from the APA 7th edition rule where only the first 19 authors are listed followed by an ellipsis and the final author's name for works with 21 or more authors. A common point of confusion for students is the requirement to list all authors for works with up to 20 authors, which can lead to incomplete citations if not carefully managed. To avoid mistakes, students should ensure they have access to the complete author list and verify the proper order of names. Best practices include double-checking the DOI for accuracy and ensuring that it is formatted correctly as a hyperlink. Additionally, paying attention to journal-specific guidelines, such as any specified order for elements in the citation, can help in crafting precise and compliant references.

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

Key Points:
- Use Journal Article format with Journal of Molecular Biology specifics
- Locate citation info on Journal of Molecular Biology's website
- Handle Journal of Molecular Biology's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-10-31 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Where to Find Citation Information on Journal of Molecular Biology

Accessing citation information for articles from the Journal of Molecular Biology involves navigating its online platform, typically hosted by a publisher such as Elsevier. Here's a detailed guide on how to locate the citation details necessary for academic purposes:

Author Information

When you access an article from the Journal of Molecular Biology, the authors' names are typically listed prominently at the top of the article page. After you select an article from the search results, the authors’ byline will often be directly beneath the article title. This is standard across most journal platforms, including those from Elsevier. The authors' names might also include clickable links that lead to their institutional affiliations and other published works.

Publication Date

The publication date is usually positioned near the article title or immediately after the authors' names. In Elsevier-hosted journals, you might find it in the header section of the article page. It can appear as "Received," "Revised," and "Accepted" dates for articles that go through a peer-review process. The "Accepted" date is the most relevant for citation purposes. Occasionally, the publication date is also listed in the citation information section or in the abstract section.

Title

The article title is prominently displayed at the top of the article page. It is typically in bold or larger font size and serves as the main headline of the article. This makes it easy to identify as soon as you open the article page.

URL/Access Information

The URL, or the web address, is found in the browser's address bar at the top of your internet browser. This URL is specific to the article you are viewing and is crucial for providing direct access to the source. If accessing through a university portal or library, ensure you include any proxy extensions in the URL to facilitate access for others who may use similar institutional access points.

Additional Tips

By following these guidelines, students can efficiently gather all necessary citation information to properly reference articles from the Journal of Molecular Biology in their academic work.


Step-by-Step: Creating Your Journal of Molecular Biology Citation

How to Create a Journal of Molecular Biology Citation

Citing sources accurately is crucial in academic writing. The Journal of Molecular Biology citation format follows specific guidelines, which are based on APA style. This step-by-step guide will help you create a proper citation for articles published in this journal.

What You Need

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Find the Article You Want to Cite
    - Action: Use your internet browser to search for the article in the Journal of Molecular Biology.
    - Verification: Ensure that you have the correct article by checking its title, authors, and publication date.
    - Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Use specific keywords related to the article to refine your search results.

  2. Identify the Authors
    - Action: Look at the top of the article or the homepage of the journal for the author's names.
    - Verification: Authors are typically listed first, with their last names followed by their initials. Make sure to note all authors listed.
    - Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: If there are many authors, only list the first 19 authors followed by an ellipsis (...) and then the last author's name if there are more than 20 authors.

  3. Determine the Publication Year
    - Action: Check the article’s citation details to find the year of publication.
    - Verification: The year is usually located near the title of the article or at the top of the first page.
    - Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Keep a note of the publication year as you will need it for the citation.

  4. Write the Article Title
    - Action: Read the title of the article carefully and write it down.
    - Verification: Ensure you write the title in sentence case, capitalizing only the first word and any proper nouns.
    - Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Use copy-paste for accuracy if the title is long.

  5. Locate the Journal Title and Volume Information
    - Action: Identify the journal name, volume number, and issue number (if applicable).
    - Verification: The journal title should be italicized in your citation. The volume number also needs to be italicized, while the issue number should be in parentheses (not italicized).
    - Time Estimate: 3-5 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Look for these details typically listed near the article title or in the citation format provided by the journal.

  6. Find the Page Range and DOI
    - Action: Look for the page numbers of the article and the DOI (Digital Object Identifier).
    - Verification: The page range indicates where the article appears in the journal, while the DOI is a unique link to access the article online.
    - Time Estimate: 3-5 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Many articles will have the DOI listed at the top or bottom of the page. Copy it directly to avoid errors.

  7. Assemble Your Citation
    - Action: Combine all the pieces of information you have gathered into the citation template.
    - Verification: Double-check that you have followed the structure: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx.
    - Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Use a word processor that allows you to format text easily, such as italicizing or bolding required elements.

  8. Review and Edit Your Citation
    - Action: Carefully review your citation for any spelling or formatting errors.
    - Verification: Ensure the citation adheres to the APA style rules and is readable.
    - Time Estimate: 3-5 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Use citation tools or websites designed to help with APA formatting to cross-check your work.

Final Thoughts

Creating a journal citation may seem daunting at first, but by following these steps, you can build your confidence in managing references. Make sure to give yourself ample time for each step and always verify the details for accuracy. With practice, citing will become a quicker and more straightforward part of your academic writing process.


Real Examples from Journal of Molecular Biology

This section provides authentic citation examples from Journal of Molecular Biology using recent publications from 2023-2024.

As an AI language model, I can't browse the internet for real-time data, so I can't access or verify recent articles from 2023-2024 directly. However, I can guide you on how to format citations from recent articles in the Journal of Molecular Biology according to APA 7th edition guidelines. Here are some hypothetical examples based on the standard format you provided:


Example 1: Standard Individual Author

  1. Scenario Description: This is a standard research article authored by a single researcher discussing the role of a specific protein in cellular processes.

  2. Complete Reference List Citation:
    Smith, J. L. (2023). The role of protein X in cellular homeostasis. Journal of Molecular Biology, 435(10), 1234-1245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2023.05.001

  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical format): (Smith, 2023)

  4. In-text Citation (Narrative format): Smith (2023) found that protein X significantly influences cellular homeostasis.

  5. Notes: This example is noteworthy because it represents a typical scholarly article with a single author, straightforward citation format, and a DOI link.


Example 2: Corporate Author

  1. Scenario Description: This article is a report published by a research institute on molecular interactions in synthetic biology.

  2. Complete Reference List Citation:
    National Institute of Molecular Biology. (2023). Molecular interactions in synthetic biology applications. Journal of Molecular Biology, 435(15), 1456-1468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2023.07.002

  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical format): (National Institute of Molecular Biology, 2023)

  4. In-text Citation (Narrative format): According to the National Institute of Molecular Biology (2023), molecular interactions play a crucial role in synthetic biology.

  5. Notes: This example demonstrates how to cite a corporate author, which is common in institutional research publications.


Example 3: Multiple Authors

  1. Scenario Description: A collaborative research study by multiple authors examining the effects of genetic mutations on protein function.

  2. Complete Reference List Citation:
    Chen, R. T., Nguyen, P. Q., & Martinez, L. H. (2023). Genetic mutations altering protein function in disease models. Journal of Molecular Biology, 435(20), 1678-1690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2023.09.003

  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical format): (Chen, Nguyen, & Martinez, 2023)

  4. In-text Citation (Narrative format): Chen, Nguyen, and Martinez (2023) explored how genetic mutations affect protein function.

  5. Notes: This example highlights the use of multiple authors in a citation, showing the importance of listing all authors in the reference list citation for works with up to 20 authors.


Example 4: Special Formatting Case

  1. Scenario Description: An article with a supplementary online material section discussing advanced molecular techniques.

  2. Complete Reference List Citation:
    Lee, S. J., & Patel, A. K. (2024). Advanced techniques in molecular biology: Supplementary online materials. Journal of Molecular Biology, 436(2), 210-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2024.01.004

  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical format): (Lee & Patel, 2024)

  4. In-text Citation (Narrative format): Lee and Patel (2024) provide comprehensive insights into advanced techniques in molecular biology.

  5. Notes: This citation includes a reference to supplementary materials, which is often necessary for works that offer additional data or resources online.


Remember, the details such as author names, article titles, volume, issue, and DOI are fictional and for illustrative purposes. Ensure you verify and use actual information from the Journal of Molecular Biology for your citations.


Common Issues When Citing Journal of Molecular Biology

Finding Authors

Issue Description:
One common problem students face when citing articles from the Journal of Molecular Biology is identifying all authors correctly. Academic journals frequently have multiple contributors, and sometimes, they are only listed in specific sections of the article or in a non-intuitive order.

Why It Happens:
In the Journal of Molecular Biology, author names are typically presented on the article's front page or within a detailed section at the end. Moreover, when articles have many authors, the full list may be hidden behind a "Show all authors" link, making it easy to miss some names.

Solution:
1. Carefully examine the article's first page and any "Authors" or "Contributors" sections.
2. Click on "Show all authors" if the option is available to ensure you have the complete list.
3. Record the authors' names in the order they appear, as APA 7th edition requires this specific sequence.

Before/After Example:

Date Formats

Issue Description:
Students often struggle with correctly formatting the publication date when citing articles from this journal. This can lead to inconsistencies in citations, particularly when articles include specific publication dates or DOI-related dates.

Why It Happens:
The Journal of Molecular Biology may list multiple dates, such as submission, acceptance, and online publication dates. This can create confusion about which date to use.

Solution:
1. Use the publication date provided on the article's cover page or in the citation section.
2. If multiple dates are present, prioritize the online publication date as per APA guidelines.

Before/After Example:

URL Handling for Online Articles

Issue Description:
Handling URLs for online articles can be problematic, especially when the journal provides long or complicated URLs.

Why It Happens:
The Journal of Molecular Biology often uses DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) that can be lengthy or complex, leading students to mistakenly truncate or omit parts of the URL.

Solution:
1. Always use the DOI if available, formatted as a URL (https://doi.org/).
2. Do not alter the DOI or URL. Ensure it is complete and accurate.

Before/After Example:

Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Students sometimes incorrectly cite articles they accessed through university databases or paywalls, leading to incomplete or inaccurate citations.

Why It Happens:
The Journal of Molecular Biology is often accessed via institutional subscriptions, and students may not realize that APA guidelines do not require them to include access dates or database information for journal articles.

Solution:
1. Do not include database names or access dates for journal articles.
2. Focus on providing a complete citation with DOI or stable URL.

Before/After Example:

By addressing these common citation problems specifically associated with the Journal of Molecular Biology, students can improve the accuracy and consistency of their APA citations. Following these practical solutions will ensure that their work meets academic standards and is properly credited.

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


Frequently Asked Questions About Journal of Molecular Biology

Q: How can I find citation information for an article from the Journal of Molecular Biology on its website?

A: To find citation information, navigate to the specific article page on the Journal of Molecular Biology's website. Look for a "Cite" or "Citation" option, often located near the article's title or abstract, which typically provides formatted citations in various styles, including APA.

Q: How should I handle unique author formats when citing articles from the Journal of Molecular Biology?

A: When dealing with multiple authors from the Journal of Molecular Biology, list up to 20 authors in the reference entry. For more than 20 authors, list the first 19 authors followed by an ellipsis (...) and the final author's name, without an ampersand before the last author's name.

Q: What should I do if the Journal of Molecular Biology article has an unusual publication date format?

A: The Journal of Molecular Biology typically uses a standard "year, month day" format for publication dates. If the date is not explicitly available, use the year provided. For articles in press, indicate the status in parentheses after the author's name as "in press" if no date is available.

Q: Do I need to include a URL or DOI when citing an article from the Journal of Molecular Biology?

A: Yes, include the DOI at the end of your citation if available, using the format "https://doi.org/xxxxxx". If a DOI is not available, provide the URL of the journal's homepage or the specific article page.

Q: How does citing an article from the Journal of Molecular Biology differ from citing other journal articles?

A: Citing articles from the Journal of Molecular Biology follows the same APA format as other journal articles, but it's essential to check specific details like author formats and publication dates, as the journal may present these uniquely. Always ensure you include the DOI or URL to adhere to APA's emphasis on providing direct access to sources.


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