How to Cite PLOS ONE in APA Format

Complete guide to citing PLOS ONE in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

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

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Quick Reference: PLOS ONE Citations

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

PLOS ONE-Specific Notes:
Citing articles from PLOS ONE, a prominent open-access journal, follows the standard APA 7th edition guidelines, but with specific nuances. First, like most academic journals, PLOS ONE citations adhere to the standard author-date format. However, PLOS ONE is unique because all articles are open access, and therefore, the inclusion of a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is crucial. The DOI should be formatted as a URL (e.g., https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxxx) and placed at the end of the citation. This is a common area of confusion where students might mistakenly omit the DOI or fail to format it as a hyperlink.

Another distinction in citing PLOS ONE is the need to list all authors up to 20 before resorting to using an ellipsis. In APA 7th edition, when a work has up to 20 authors, you should list all of them. Many students mistakenly truncate the author list prematurely, which can lead to incomplete citations. Ensure each author’s surname is followed by their initials, and separate authors with commas. For example: "Smith, J. A., Doe, R. B., & Lee, C. D." If there are more than 20 authors, list the first 19, followed by an ellipsis, and then the final author.

To avoid common mistakes, students should double-check the DOI format and ensure all authors are listed correctly according to the number of authors. It’s beneficial to use citation management tools or the journal's citation feature to generate a preliminary citation, which can then be refined according to APA style. Always review the citation output for accuracy, as automated systems can occasionally misformat key details. By adhering to these guidelines, students can ensure their PLOS ONE citations are both accurate and complete.

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

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

Last Updated: 2025-11-01 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Where to Find Citation Information on PLOS ONE

Navigating PLOS ONE to gather citation information is a straightforward process due to its user-friendly interface and well-organized article layout. This guide will help you locate essential citation elements such as the author, publication date, title, and URL.

  1. Author Information:
    Upon accessing an article on PLOS ONE, the author information is prominently displayed. Look at the top of the article page, just below the title. The author byline includes the names of all contributors, usually listed from left to right. If there are multiple authors, they are often separated by commas, and sometimes, corresponding authors are indicated with asterisks. For detailed author contributions, check for any linked footnotes or the "Author Contributions" section if available.

  2. Publication Date:
    The publication date is found directly beneath the author byline. This section typically starts with the word "Published" followed by the date in a Month Day, Year format (e.g., January 15, 2022). This information is crucial for your citation as it indicates the version of the text you are referencing.

  3. Article Title:
    The title of the article is prominently displayed at the top of the page. It is usually in larger, bold font to distinguish it from other text elements. Ensure you capture the full title as it appears, including any subtitles, which are often separated by a colon.

  4. URL/Access Information:
    The URL of the article is accessible directly from your browser's address bar. This is the web address you will include in your citation for direct access to the source. PLOS ONE articles typically have a persistent URL structure starting with “https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=”. Copy the entire URL as it appears in the address bar for accuracy.

  5. Additional Information:
    PLOS ONE articles often include a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) beneath the publication date. This identifier is a unique alphanumeric string that provides a permanent link to the article's location on the internet. Including the DOI in your citation is beneficial as it ensures access even if the URL changes.

PLOS ONE’s layout is designed to facilitate easy access to key citation information, making it an ideal source for academic research. By following the steps above, you can efficiently gather the necessary details to create accurate citations in APA format. Remember to cross-check all information for accuracy and completeness before finalizing your citation.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your PLOS ONE Citation

What You Need

Before you begin creating a PLOS ONE citation, gather the following resources:

  1. Access to the Article: You will need the article you intend to cite. This could be a printed copy or a digital version from the PLOS ONE website.
  2. Basic Information: Have the following information readily available:
    - Author(s) full names
    - Year of publication
    - Title of the article
    - Journal title (PLOS ONE)
    - Volume number
    - Issue number (if applicable)
    - Page range of the article
    - DOI (Digital Object Identifier)
  3. A citation management tool or word processor: This will help format your citation correctly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Identify the Authors

Action: Locate the authors of the article. Typically, this information is found at the top of the article.

Verification: Make sure you have the full names of all authors listed. If there are more than two authors, note that you will need to separate them with commas and use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name.

Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If the article has multiple authors, copy and paste their names into a document to avoid errors later.

2. Find the Year of Publication

Action: Look for the year in which the article was published. This is usually mentioned in the header or footer of the article.

Verification: Confirm that you have the correct year, as this is critical for the citation.

Time Estimate: 1 minute.

Tip for Efficiency: If you are using an online version of the article, the publication date is often displayed prominently.

3. Write Down the Title of the Article

Action: Carefully read the title of the article and write it down. Make sure to capitalize only the first word of the title, the first word after a colon (if any), and any proper nouns.

Verification: Check that your title matches the article exactly, including punctuation.

Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Copy the title directly from the article to ensure accuracy.

4. Locate the Journal Title and Volume Information

Action: Identify the journal name, which should be "PLOS ONE," and find the volume and issue numbers.

Verification: The format should be "PLOS ONE, volume" with the volume number following it. If there is an issue number, it should be noted in parentheses after the volume number.

Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Write down the journal title and volume information together to streamline the citation process.

5. Find the Page Range of the Article

Action: Look for the page range in the article. This information is typically found near the title or at the top of the first page.

Verification: Ensure you have both the starting and ending page numbers.

Time Estimate: 1 minute.

Tip for Efficiency: If the article is digital, you can often find the page range in the PDF version.

6. Locate the DOI

Action: Find the DOI for the article. This is usually listed on the first page of the article or in the citation information provided by the journal.

Verification: Ensure you have the complete DOI, which usually starts with "10."

Time Estimate: 2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If you have access to citation tools or databases, you can often find the DOI listed along with the citation.

7. Format the Citation

Action: Now that you have all the components, begin formatting your citation according to the provided template:

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

Insert each piece of information you collected into the appropriate spot in the template.

Verification: Review your citation to ensure it follows the correct structure and punctuation.

Time Estimate: 3-5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use a citation management tool to help format your citations automatically.

8. Double-Check and Save

Action: Review your completed citation one last time for any errors. Make sure all names are spelled correctly, all punctuation is in place, and the DOI is accurate.

Verification: Compare your citation against the original article to ensure all details are correct.

Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Save your citation in a document or citation manager for future reference.

By following these steps, you can create a complete and accurate P

Real Examples from PLOS ONE

This section provides authentic citation examples from PLOS ONE using recent publications from 2023-2024.

I’m unable to browse the internet in real-time or access specific search results directly. However, I can guide you on how to create APA 7th edition citations for hypothetical articles from PLOS ONE based on common scenarios. Here are four examples:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description:

A research article published in 2023 by a single author exploring the impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity.

Complete Reference List Citation:

Smith, J. R. (2023). Impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity. PLOS ONE, 18(4), 123-134. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267890

In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):

(Smith, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative Format):

Smith (2023) explores the impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity.

Notes:

This example is noteworthy for its focus on a critical contemporary issue, climate change, highlighting its impact on marine ecosystems.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description:

An article published by the World Health Organization in 2023 on global vaccination strategies.

Complete Reference List Citation:

World Health Organization. (2023). Global vaccination strategies: An overview. PLOS ONE, 18(7), 567-580. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0276543

In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):

(World Health Organization, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative Format):

The World Health Organization (2023) provides an overview of global vaccination strategies.

Notes:

Corporate authors are common in reports by organizations like WHO, offering authoritative insights on global health topics.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description:

A collaborative study in 2023 by a team of researchers analyzing the effects of urbanization on bird populations.

Complete Reference List Citation:

Johnson, L. K., Chen, M., & Patel, S. R. (2023). Urbanization and its effects on bird populations: A global analysis. PLOS ONE, 18(9), 201-215. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289123

In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):

(Johnson, Chen, & Patel, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative Format):

Johnson, Chen, and Patel (2023) analyze the effects of urbanization on bird populations.

Notes:

This example illustrates a collaborative effort, demonstrating how urbanization impacts biodiversity, a growing area of research.

Example 4: Special Formatting Case

Scenario Description:

A 2024 article examining genetic patterns in ancient human populations, with a dataset included in a supplementary format.

Complete Reference List Citation:

Garcia, T. L., & Nguyen, H. T. (2024). Genetic patterns in ancient human populations: A supplementary dataset study. PLOS ONE, 19(2), 45-60. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291234

In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):

(Garcia & Nguyen, 2024)

In-text Citation (Narrative Format):

Garcia and Nguyen (2024) examine genetic patterns in ancient human populations.

Notes:

This example is noteworthy for its supplementary dataset, showcasing the integration of additional data formats in scholarly articles.

These examples reflect common types of articles you might encounter in PLOS ONE and demonstrate how to apply APA 7th edition formatting for various authorship and content scenarios.

Common Issues When Citing PLOS ONE

Common Citation Problems When Citing PLOS ONE

Citing articles from PLOS ONE can present unique challenges due to its open-access format and specific publication structure. Here are some common issues students encounter and how to address them effectively.

Finding Authors

Issue

Students often experience difficulty identifying all authors for PLOS ONE articles, particularly when there are many authors involved.

Explanation

PLOS ONE is known for publishing collaborative research, which often leads to articles with numerous authors. Unlike some journals that list only a few key contributors, PLOS ONE includes all contributing authors, which can be extensive.

Solution

  1. Access the Full List of Authors: Visit the PLOS ONE article page.
  2. Locate the Author Section: Scroll down to the article's beginning, where the full list of authors is provided.
  3. Use the "Cite" Tool: PLOS ONE offers a citation tool that formats the authors correctly according to chosen styles, including APA.

Before

Doe, J., Smith, A.

After

Doe, J., Smith, A., Johnson, R., Lee, T., & Kim, B.

Date Formats

Issue

Students may struggle with correctly identifying and formatting the publication date due to PLOS ONE's continuous publication model.

Explanation

PLOS ONE publishes articles as they are ready rather than by issue, providing a precise publication date which can differ from traditional journals that use monthly or quarterly formats.

Solution

  1. Find the Publication Date: This is typically found near the article title or under the article's abstract.
  2. Format Accordingly: Use the exact date (Year, Month Day) for APA citations.

Before

2023

After

2023, October 15

URL Handling

Issue

Students often omit the correct URL or DOI link, or they use outdated URLs when citing PLOS ONE articles.

Explanation

PLOS ONE, being an open-access journal, utilizes DOI links for stable and permanent access. Students sometimes mistakenly use the URL from their browser rather than the DOI.

Solution

  1. Locate the DOI: This is usually found near the article title or abstract.
  2. Use the DOI in the Citation: Format it as a URL with "https://doi.org/" followed by the DOI number.

Before

Retrieved from https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0234567

After

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234567

Access Requirements

Issue

Students might incorrectly state access requirements in their citations, misunderstanding PLOS ONE's open-access nature.

Explanation

PLOS ONE articles are freely accessible, which can be confusing for students used to citing subscription-based journals that may require indicating "Retrieved from."

Solution

Before

Retrieved October 15, 2023, from https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234567

After

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234567

By addressing these common citation issues with PLOS ONE, students can ensure their references are accurate and comply with APA 7th edition guidelines. Remember to always consult the journal's website and use the tools available to facilitate the citation process.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About PLOS ONE

Q: How can I efficiently find citation information for an article on the PLOS ONE website?

A: On the PLOS ONE article page, scroll to the "Cite this article" section, typically found on the right sidebar or near the bottom of the page. This section provides the citation in several formats, including APA, which you can copy directly for referencing purposes.

Q: How should I handle multiple authors when citing a PLOS ONE article in APA format?

A: PLOS ONE often publishes articles with numerous authors. In APA format, list up to 20 authors before using an ellipsis. For example, list the first 19 authors, add an ellipsis, and then include the final author’s name.

Q: What should I do if the publication date for a PLOS ONE article on the website includes the day, month, and year?

A: For APA citations, use only the year of publication in the reference list. If the article includes a specific day and month, these details can be used in the in-text citation if you refer to a specific part of the article, but they are not necessary for the reference list.

Q: Are there specific URL and access requirements for citing PLOS ONE articles in APA format?

A: Always include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) in the citation if available, as it provides a permanent link to the article. If a DOI is not available, use the URL of the article. Ensure the URL is direct and accessible, leading readers straight to the article's landing page.

Q: How does citing a PLOS ONE article differ from other journal articles in APA format?

A: PLOS ONE is an open-access journal, which means all its articles are freely accessible online, often with DOIs. When citing, the primary difference is the consistent availability of DOIs, which should always be used in APA references, unlike some other journals where a DOI might not be available.

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