How to Cite The Lancet Infectious Diseases in APA Format

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

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

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Quick Reference: The Lancet Infectious Diseases Citations

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

The Lancet Infectious Diseases-Specific Notes:
Citing articles from The Lancet Infectious Diseases follows the general APA 7th edition guidelines for journal articles, but with attention to some particular details, especially given the prominence and authority of this journal. A key aspect to remember is that when citing articles with multiple authors, APA 7th edition requires listing up to 20 authors before using an ellipsis. This is crucial as students often mistakenly truncate author lists too early, potentially omitting important contributors from their citations.

Unlike some journals that may have specific citation styles, The Lancet Infectious Diseases follows the standard APA format without additional unique requirements. This means that while the citation begins with the authors' last names and initials, followed by the publication year in parentheses, the title of the article should be in sentence case, with only the first word and proper nouns capitalized. The journal name, however, should be italicized and in title case, followed by the volume number (also italicized), issue number in parentheses, and page range.

Common points of confusion arise with the precise formatting of the journal title and the volume and issue numbers. Students may inadvertently apply italics incorrectly or miss the issue number if it's not prominently displayed. To avoid these errors, it’s best practice to double-check each element against the journal’s official publication. Additionally, utilizing citation management tools like Zotero or EndNote can help automate formatting while ensuring accuracy. Always cross-reference the generated citation with APA guidelines to catch any discrepancies specific to The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

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

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

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

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Where to Find Citation Information on The Lancet Infectious Diseases

To accurately cite an article from The Lancet Infectious Diseases, it is essential to locate specific citation elements such as the author, publication date, article title, and the URL. Here's a detailed guide on how to find this information on The Lancet Infectious Diseases website, which may assist you in creating an APA-style reference.

  1. Author Information:
    - On The Lancet Infectious Diseases website, author information is prominently displayed. After selecting an article of interest, look for the author byline, which is typically found just below the article title at the top of the page. Authors' names are often hyperlinked, leading to their profiles or other related works.

  2. Publication Date:
    - The publication date is usually located beneath the author byline. It is often displayed in a day-month-year format, such as "15 October 2023". Pay attention to this section as it may also include the volume and issue number, which are crucial for a complete citation in APA format.

  3. Article Title:
    - The title of the article is prominently displayed at the top of the page. It is usually in a larger, bold font compared to the rest of the text, making it easy to identify. Ensure you capture the title exactly as it appears, including any subtitles.

  4. URL/Access Information:
    - The URL can be found in the address bar of your web browser. After navigating to the specific article, ensure you copy the entire URL, which starts with "https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/...", reflecting the pathway to the article. This URL is crucial for readers to locate the source directly.

Additional Tips for Navigating The Lancet Infectious Diseases:
- Search Functionality: Use the search bar located at the top of the homepage to quickly find articles by keywords, author names, or topics.
- PDF Access: Many articles will have a PDF version available, which can be found by clicking the "PDF" button usually located near the article title or abstract. This version often contains the same citation information and may be easier to read.
- Citation Tools: Some articles may include a "Cite" or "Export Citation" option, usually found in the sidebar or at the end of the article. This feature provides pre-formatted citations in various styles, including APA.

By following these steps, you can efficiently gather all the necessary citation details from The Lancet Infectious Diseases and ensure that your references are complete and accurate according to APA 7th edition guidelines.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your The Lancet Infectious Diseases Citation

Creating a Citation for The Lancet Infectious Diseases

When you want to cite an article from The Lancet Infectious Diseases in APA format, it is important to follow specific guidelines. This guide will walk you through the steps necessary to create a proper citation.

What You Need

  1. Access to the article you wish to cite.
  2. Basic information about the article (author names, publication year, title, volume, issue number, and page range).
  3. A computer or device to write and format your citation.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Find the Article
    - Action: Start by locating the article you want to cite in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. You can use a library database, the journal's website, or a search engine.
    - Verification: Ensure you have the correct article by checking the title and authors. This step should take around 5-10 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Use specific keywords or the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) to quickly find the article.

  2. Gather Author Information
    - Action: Look for the names of the authors. List them in the order they appear in the article, using their last name followed by initials.
    - Verification: Confirm that you have all authors' names. If there are more than seven authors, list the first six, then use an ellipsis, and add the last author's name.
    - Estimated Time: 5 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: If there are many authors, copy and paste their names into a document for easy formatting later.

  3. Identify the Publication Year
    - Action: Check the publication date of the article. This information is usually found at the top of the article or in the citation information section.
    - Verification: Double-check that you have the correct year. It should reflect the year the article was published, not the year you accessed it.
    - Estimated Time: 2-3 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Write the year down immediately after finding it to avoid confusion later.

  4. Write the Title of the Article
    - Action: Write the article title in sentence case. This means you capitalize only the first word of the title and any proper nouns.
    - Verification: Ensure that you have spelled the title correctly and that it matches the original article.
    - Estimated Time: 3-5 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Copy the title directly from the article and then format it appropriately.

  5. Find Journal Information
    - Action: Look for the journal title, volume number, and issue number, as well as the page range of the article. The journal title should be italicized.
    - Verification: Make sure the journal title is spelled correctly and that you have the correct volume and issue numbers.
    - Estimated Time: 5 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Keep a note of this information as you find it, as it often appears together in the article.

  6. Locate the DOI
    - Action: Search for the DOI, which is typically listed on the article’s webpage or in the citation information section of the article.
    - Verification: Confirm that the DOI is correct by checking the format (it should start with "https://doi.org/").
    - Estimated Time: 3-5 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: If the DOI is not listed, you can often find it by searching the article title along with the term "DOI" in a search engine.

  7. Format Your Citation
    - Action: Combine all the gathered information into the APA citation format. Follow this structure: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx.
    - Verification: Review the citation for formatting errors, including punctuation and italics. Ensure that all elements are in the correct order.
    - Estimated Time: 5-10 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Use citation tools available in word processors or online citation generators to help format your citation correctly.

  8. Double-Check and Save
    - Action: Review your citation one last time for any errors. Save your citation in your document or reference management software.
    - Verification: Make sure everything is correct, and ensure you can locate your citation easily later.
    - Estimated Time: 2-3 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Consider maintaining a bibliography document where you keep all your citations organized.

By following these steps, you will create a proper citation for an article from The Lancet Infectious Diseases in APA format. This process may take around 30-50 minutes in total, depending on your familiarity with

Real Examples from The Lancet Infectious Diseases

This section provides authentic citation examples from The Lancet Infectious Diseases using recent publications from 2023-2024.

I'm unable to browse the internet to find the most recent articles from The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2023-2024) directly. However, I can guide you on how you could form APA 7th edition citations for such articles if you find them. Here's a general guide and example structure for creating these citations:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description: This is a standard research article authored by a single researcher, discussing the latest developments in infectious disease treatment methodologies.

Complete Reference:
Smith, J. A. (2023). Innovative treatments for emerging infectious diseases. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 23(4), 555-562. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00001-2

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

In-text Citation (Narrative): Smith (2023) discusses innovative treatments for emerging infectious diseases.

Notes: This example is noteworthy for its focus on a single author's comprehensive research on treatment methodologies, providing valuable insights into emerging diseases.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description: This is a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) on global infectious disease trends.

Complete Reference:
World Health Organization. (2023). Global trends in infectious diseases. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 23(5), 600-608. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00002-4

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

In-text Citation (Narrative): The World Health Organization (2023) reports on global trends in infectious diseases.

Notes: This publication is unique as it represents a comprehensive review from a leading global health authority, providing significant data on worldwide disease trends.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description: A collaborative article by multiple researchers exploring the impact of climate change on infectious disease spread.

Complete Reference:
Brown, L. A., Green, M. S., & White, R. T. (2023). The role of climate change in the spread of infectious diseases. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 23(6), 701-710. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00003-6

In-text Citation (Parenthetical): (Brown, Green, & White, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative): Brown, Green, and White (2023) examine the role of climate change in the spread of infectious diseases.

Notes: This article is significant for its interdisciplinary approach, combining environmental science and epidemiology to address global health challenges.

Example 4: Special Formatting Cases

Scenario Description: An editorial piece reflecting on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and future preparedness strategies.

Complete Reference:
Jones, P. R., & Taylor, D. L. (2023). Reflections on COVID-19: Preparing for future pandemics. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 23(7), 800-805. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00004-8

In-text Citation (Parenthetical): (Jones & Taylor, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative): Jones and Taylor (2023) reflect on the lessons learned from COVID-19.

Notes: This editorial is noteworthy for its reflective nature, showcasing past pandemic experiences to guide future preparedness strategies.

General Notes:

By locating the actual articles, you can replace these placeholders with real data to create accurate and authentic citations.

Common Issues When Citing The Lancet Infectious Diseases

Finding Authors

Issue Description

One common problem students face when citing articles from The Lancet Infectious Diseases is identifying all authors correctly. Unlike some journals that list all authors on the article's first page, The Lancet Infectious Diseases often includes only the primary authors visibly, with additional authors listed at the end or on a separate page.

Why It Happens

This issue arises due to the journal's formatting choices, which prioritize succinct presentation of the article front matter. This can lead to students inadvertently omitting authors or misordering them in citations.

Solution Steps

  1. Access the Full Article: Ensure you have the full text, not just the abstract or summary.
  2. Locate the Author List: Scroll to the end of the article for a complete author list or check the article's supplementary material.
  3. Note the Order: Take careful note of the order of authors, as this is crucial in APA citation.
  4. Use the Author List in Your Citation: Include all authors in the reference entry.

Before/After Example

Date Formats

Issue Description

Incorrect date formatting is another common problem. Students may struggle with identifying the correct publication date due to the presence of multiple dates, such as online publication date and issue date.

Why It Happens

The Lancet Infectious Diseases often publishes articles online before they appear in print. This can lead to confusion about which date to use in citations.

Solution Steps

  1. Identify the Correct Date: Use the earliest publication date available, often found at the top or bottom of the article.
  2. Format According to APA Guidelines: In APA, dates are formatted as Year, Month Day for periodicals.

Before/After Example

URL Handling

Issue Description

Students often mismanage URLs in their citations, either by including unnecessary parts of the link or by omitting it entirely.

Why It Happens

The Lancet Infectious Diseases articles may have complex URLs, and students might not know whether to include the DOI or the URL in their citation.

Solution Steps

  1. Use DOI if Available: Always use the DOI in place of a URL if it is available, as it is a more stable link.
  2. Locate the DOI: Check the article's front page or the publisher's website for the DOI.
  3. Format the DOI Correctly: Use the format "https://doi.org/xxxx" as per APA guidelines.

Before/After Example

Access Requirements

Issue Description

Access restrictions can make it difficult for students to retrieve full articles, leading to incomplete citations.

Why It Happens

The Lancet Infectious Diseases is a subscription-based journal, meaning some articles are behind paywalls.

Solution Steps

  1. Access Through Institutional Libraries: Use your university's library portal to access articles.
  2. Utilize Open Access Options: Look for articles marked as open access directly on the journal's website.
  3. Cite What You Can Access: If you can only access the abstract, clearly indicate this in your citation.

Before/After Example

By understanding these challenges and applying specific strategies, students can effectively navigate the unique citation requirements of The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About The Lancet Infectious Diseases

Q: How can I locate the necessary citation information on The Lancet Infectious Diseases's website?

A: To find citation details on The Lancet Infectious Diseases's website, navigate to the specific article page. Look for the "Cite" button or section, which often provides citation formats and essential details like authors, article title, journal name, volume, issue, pages, and DOI.

Q: How should I format the author names from The Lancet Infectious Diseases when they include multiple contributors?

A: When citing articles from The Lancet Infectious Diseases with multiple authors, list up to 20 authors in the reference. If there are more than 20, list the first 19, insert an ellipsis, and then add the final author's name, adhering to the APA 7th edition guidelines.

Q: The Lancet Infectious Diseases uses specific publication date formats. How do I correctly include these in my citation?

A: Use the year of publication followed by the month and day if provided. For example, if an article was published on March 15, 2023, your citation should read: (2023, March 15). Ensure accuracy by checking the article's published date on the website.

Q: Is it necessary to include a URL or DOI when citing an article from The Lancet Infectious Diseases?

A: Yes, always include the DOI at the end of the citation if available, as it provides a permanent link to the content. If a DOI is not available, include the URL of the article's page on The Lancet Infectious Diseases’s website.

Q: How does citing The Lancet Infectious Diseases differ from other journal articles?

A: Citing The Lancet Infectious Diseases is similar to other scholarly journals in terms of structure, but ensure to accommodate any unique formatting like extensive author lists or specific publication dates. Always prioritize the DOI over the URL and verify details directly from the journal's website for accuracy.

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