How to Cite Sensors in APA Format

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

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

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Quick Reference: Sensors Citations

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

Sensors-Specific Notes:
Citing articles from the journal Sensors follows the general APA 7th edition guidelines, with some specific considerations. Sensors is an open access journal that often includes a large number of authors, which can present challenges in citation. According to APA 7th edition, when citing works with up to 20 authors, you must list all authors by their last name and initials, separated by commas, with an ampersand (&) before the final author's name. For example: Smith, J., Doe, A., & Brown, B. If there are more than 20 authors, list the first 19, insert an ellipsis (...), and then add the final author's name.

One point of confusion for students is the inclusion of Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs). Sensors articles typically have DOIs, which should be included at the end of the citation in the format: https://doi.org/xxxxxx. Unlike some other journals, Sensors articles are published under a Creative Commons license, often indicated in the article itself, which may lead students to mistakenly modify citation practices. However, the standard APA citation format applies, regardless of the open access nature.

Best practices include verifying the author count and ensuring the DOI is present and correctly formatted. Students should also pay attention to the publication date format and ensure it aligns with APA guidelines (year only for journal articles). Additionally, always cross-check the reference with the journal's official website or databases to confirm accuracy, as errors in author order or DOI can lead to citation inaccuracies.

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

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

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

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Where to Find Citation Information on Sensors

Sensors is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by MDPI, focusing on the science and technology of sensors and biosensors. When citing articles from Sensors, students need to gather specific citation information such as the author, publication date, title, and URL. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to find this information on the Sensors website.

Locating the Author(s)

  1. Navigating to the Article: Begin by accessing the Sensors website at MDPI Sensors. Use the search function or navigate through the journal archives to find the specific article you wish to cite.

  2. Finding the Author Byline: Once you are on the article’s page, look for the author information. The names of the authors are typically listed right below the article title at the very top of the page. Authors are usually listed in order of contribution, and you can sometimes find additional information such as institutional affiliations.

Determining the Publication Date

  1. Locating the Publication Date: The publication date of the article is found just below the authors' names. It is important to note the complete date format used by Sensors, which typically includes the day, month, and year, ensuring precise citation.

Identifying the Article Title

  1. Article Title: The title of the article is prominently displayed at the top of the article page, often in a larger or bold font. Make sure to use the exact wording and punctuation as it appears on the page for your citation.

Accessing the URL

  1. Finding the URL: The URL of the article is located in the address bar of your browser. Ensure you copy the complete URL link that leads directly to the article page, not to the general search or journal homepage. This specific URL allows others to easily access the exact document you are referencing.

Additional Tips

By following these steps, students can efficiently gather all necessary citation information from the Sensors journal, ensuring accurate and complete references in their academic work. Always double-check the citation format to align it with the specific requirements of APA 7th edition or any other required style guide.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Sensors Citation

What You Need

Before you begin creating a citation for the article on sensors, you will need the following:

  1. Access to the internet.
  2. A computer or mobile device.
  3. A web browser.
  4. Basic understanding of APA citation style.
  5. The article you want to cite, including its authors, publication year, title, journal name, volume, issue, and page numbers.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Create a Sensors Citation

Step 1: Find the Article

Action: Open your web browser and search for the article on sensors you want to cite.

Verification: Make sure you have the complete citation information, including the authors' names, publication year, and article title.

Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use specific keywords related to your topic to narrow down your search results.

Step 2: Gather Author Information

Action: Identify the authors of the article. Most articles will list the authors at the top or bottom of the first page.

Verification: Note the first names and last names of all authors. If there are more than two authors, remember that APA format requires listing the first author followed by "et al." for additional authors.

Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If there are multiple authors, look for the format the journal uses for author names to maintain consistency.

Step 3: Note the Publication Year

Action: Find the year the article was published. This information is usually located near the authors' names.

Verification: Ensure you have the correct year and that it pertains to the publication of the article you are citing.

Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If the article is part of a series, double-check the publication date to ensure it corresponds with the specific article you are referencing.

Step 4: Record the Article Title

Action: Write down the title of the article exactly as it appears.

Verification: Check for proper capitalization. In APA format, only the first word of the title and subtitle, as well as proper nouns, should be capitalized.

Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Copy and paste the title directly from the article if possible, ensuring accuracy in spelling and punctuation.

Step 5: Find Journal Information

Action: Identify the title of the journal in which the article was published, along with the volume and issue numbers.

Verification: Make sure you have the journal title in italics, followed by the volume number in italics and the issue number in parentheses.

Time Estimate: 3-5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Most journal articles will have this information on the first page or in the citation section, making it easy to gather.

Step 6: Identify Page Numbers

Action: Note the page range of the article.

Verification: Ensure you have the complete page range, which is essential for accurate citation.

Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Page numbers are usually found at the top or bottom of the article pages.

Action: Locate the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) for the article. This is often found on the first page of the article or in the citation information.

Verification: Ensure that you have the complete DOI in the correct format, which typically starts with "https://doi.org/".

Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If the DOI is not available, you can check the journal's website or the publisher's page for this information.

Step 8: Assemble the Citation

Action: Using the information you gathered, format your citation according to the APA style template provided:

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

Verification: Double-check your citation for correct punctuation, italics, and capitalization.

Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use citation management tools or websites to help format your citation correctly, but always verify their accuracy.

Final Review

Action: Review your completed citation to ensure it follows the APA format correctly.

Verification: Check for any errors in author names, publication year, title, journal name, volume, issue, page range, and DOI.

Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.

By following these steps, you will be able to create a proper citation for an article on sensors in APA format. Remember to take your time and ensure accuracy as you compile your citation.

Real Examples from Sensors

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

As a language model AI, I don't have the ability to browse the internet or access real-time data, including recent articles from 2023-2024. However, I can provide you with a hypothetical example of how to format citations for articles from a journal like "Sensors" using the APA 7th edition guidelines. Here’s how you might structure these examples:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description:
This is a research article authored by a single researcher, focusing on advancements in wireless sensor technology.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Smith, J. A. (2023). Advances in wireless sensor networks for environmental monitoring. Sensors, 21(4), 456-472. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21040456

In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
(Smith, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
Smith (2023) discusses advancements in wireless sensor networks.

Notes:
This example represents a typical single-author article, which is common in academic publishing. The use of a DOI ensures a persistent link to the digital content.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description:
A review article published by a governmental agency on the sensor technologies used in public infrastructure.

Complete Reference List Citation:
National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2023). Sensor technologies in public infrastructure. Sensors, 21(5), 573-589. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21050573

In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
(National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (2023), sensor technologies play a critical role in public infrastructure.

Notes:
This citation features a corporate author, which is a unique case where an organization takes the place of an individual author.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description:
An article that involves collaborative research between authors from different institutions, exploring new sensor materials.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Johnson, L. R., Kim, H. J., & Patel, S. (2023). Novel sensor materials for enhanced detection sensitivity. Sensors, 21(6), 601-620. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21060601

In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
(Johnson, Kim, & Patel, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
Johnson, Kim, and Patel (2023) examine novel sensor materials.

Notes:
This example illustrates the use of the Oxford comma in the in-text citation for multiple authors, a standard practice in APA format.

Example 4: Special Formatting Case

Scenario Description:
An article with a very long title that introduces a new theoretical framework for sensor data processing.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Garcia, M. T., & Nguyen, V. H. (2023). Developing a comprehensive framework for sensor data processing: Integrating machine learning and IoT for real-time analytics. Sensors, 21(7), 721-739. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21070721

In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
(Garcia & Nguyen, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
Garcia and Nguyen (2023) propose a comprehensive framework for sensor data processing.

Notes:
In this example, the long title is maintained in its entirety in the reference list. It demonstrates how APA style accommodates lengthy titles without abbreviation.

These examples are designed to demonstrate different scenarios you may encounter when citing in APA format. Ensure to verify the authenticity of the articles and the accuracy of their DOIs when citing real-world sources.

Common Issues When Citing Sensors

When citing articles from Sensors, a journal that frequently publishes research in the field of sensors and sensing technology, students often encounter several specific challenges related to authorship, date formats, URLs, and access requirements. Here, I’ll address these common issues and provide practical solutions.

Identifying Authors

The Issue:
Students may struggle to correctly identify the authors of articles in Sensors due to the presence of multiple contributors or complex author lists.

Why It Happens:
Sensors often features articles with numerous authors, sometimes listing contributors from various institutions across the globe. This can lead to confusion, especially if the list includes editors or other contributors who aren't primary authors.

Solution:
1. Locate the Author List: Start by navigating to the article's main page, where the list of authors is prominently displayed under the article title.
2. Understand Contribution Roles: Ignore sections like "editorial board" or "corresponding author" unless they are part of the main author list.
3. List Authors Correctly: Follow the APA 7th edition format: Last Name, First Initial(s). For multiple authors, separate names with commas, and use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name.

Example:
- Before: John Doe, Jane Smith, Mary Johnson
- After: Doe, J., Smith, J., & Johnson, M.

Date Formats

The Issue:
Misformatting the publication date is common, especially when students misinterpret how to present it in citations.

Why It Happens:
The publication date on Sensors can sometimes include both the full date of publication and the date of online availability, which can be confusing.

Solution:
1. Identify the Correct Date: Use the publication date closest to the article title or on the article's main page.
2. Format in APA Style: Present the date in parentheses as (Year, Month Day) if the full date is available. If only the year is available, use that alone.

Example:
- Before: 2023-10-15
- After: (2023, October 15)

Handling URLs

The Issue:
Properly formatting URLs and understanding their importance in citations can be challenging.

Why It Happens:
Sensors articles have long URLs, and APA requires stable links that direct readers to the source.

Solution:
1. Use the DOI: If a DOI is available, prefer it over a URL, as it is a permanent link.
2. Format the URL/DOI in APA Style: Present the DOI in the format: https://doi.org/xxxxx. If using a URL, ensure it leads directly to the article.

Example:
- Before: http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/24/12345
- After: https://doi.org/10.3390/s212412345

Access Requirements

The Issue:
Students might misunderstand the accessibility of articles, especially regarding open access vs. subscription-based content.

Why It Happens:
Sensors is an open-access journal, meaning most articles are freely available, but students may still encounter confusion over access when citing.

Solution:
1. Verify Access: Confirm that the article is indeed open access by checking for an open access label or statement on the article page.
2. No Access Date Required: Since Sensors articles are typically open access, including a retrieval date is unnecessary unless the content is likely to change.

Example:
- Before: Retrieved October 15, 2023, from http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/24/12345
- After: Directly use the DOI or URL without a retrieval date.

By understanding these challenges and solutions, students can accurately and efficiently cite articles from Sensors, ensuring their academic work adheres to APA 7th edition guidelines.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Sensors

Q: How can I locate the citation information for an article on the Sensors website?

A: On the Sensors website, each article typically has a "Cite" button or a citation link near the article title or abstract. Clicking this will provide you with the citation details, including author names, publication date, article title, journal name, volume, issue, page range, and DOI.

Q: How should I format author names from Sensors when they include multiple contributors or unusual formats?

A: In APA format, list authors in the order they appear on the article. For multiple authors, use commas to separate names and an ampersand (&) before the last author's name. If an author has a unique format or includes initials, retain these formats as they appear.

Q: What should I do if the publication date on Sensors includes a range or is formatted differently?

A: Use the most specific date available, typically the year of publication. If a more specific date like a month or day is provided, include it in parentheses after the author's name in the format (Year, Month Day).

Q: Are there specific URL or access requirements when citing a Sensors article in APA format?

A: When citing a Sensors article, include the DOI if available, as it provides a permanent link to the content. If a DOI is not available, use the article's direct URL. Ensure the URL is complete and leads directly to the article's landing page.

Q: How does citing an article from Sensors differ from citing articles from other journals in APA format?

A: Citing an article from Sensors follows the standard APA format for journal articles, but pay attention to the availability of DOIs, as Sensors frequently provides them. Ensure you include the DOI at the end of the citation, which is a key difference from journals that may not consistently provide such identifiers.

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