How to Cite The New England Journal of Medicine in APA Format

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

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

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Quick Reference: The New England Journal of Medicine 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 New England Journal of Medicine-Specific Notes:
Citing articles from The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) in APA 7th edition format has some unique considerations, particularly due to the potential large number of authors and the journal's prominence in medical literature. For articles with up to 20 authors, APA guidelines require listing all authors by their last names followed by initials, separated by commas, with an ampersand before the last author's name. This is consistent with general APA rules and applies to NEJM articles as well. However, for articles with more than 20 authors, APA 7th edition specifies listing the first 19 authors followed by an ellipsis (…), and then the final author's name without using an ampersand.

A unique aspect of NEJM articles is their frequent use of DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers), which should always be included in citations when available. The correct format involves placing the DOI at the end of the reference, prefixed by "https://doi.org/". Where NEJM articles may differ from standard citation rules is in the frequent updates and online-first publications, making it essential to check for the most recent version and accurate publication details.

Students commonly confuse the order and formatting of author names, especially when dealing with numerous authors, as well as where to place the DOI in the citation. A best practice is to always verify the author list directly from the journal's website or the article PDF to avoid transcription errors. Additionally, using citation management tools can help ensure accuracy, but students should double-check the formatting against APA guidelines, particularly for NEJM articles due to their complex authorship. This diligence helps maintain the integrity of academic work and ensures proper acknowledgment of sources.

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

Key Points:
- Use Journal Article format with The New England Journal of Medicine specifics
- Locate citation info on The New England Journal of Medicine's website
- Handle The New England Journal of Medicine's unique formatting requirements

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

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Where to Find Citation Information on The New England Journal of Medicine

The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) is a premier medical journal that offers a wealth of information for academic research. To accurately cite an article from NEJM, it's crucial to locate key citation elements such as the author, publication date, title, and URL. Here’s a detailed guide to navigating the NEJM website to find these elements:

Accessing the Article:

  1. Search for the Article: Begin by accessing the NEJM website directly through a web search or by entering the URL (https://www.nejm.org) in your browser. Use the search bar on the NEJM homepage to find the specific article you need by entering relevant keywords or the article title.

Locating Citation Information:

  1. Author Byline: Once you have accessed the specific article page, look for the author byline. This is typically located directly below the article title. Authors are usually listed in a straightforward format, and clicking on an author’s name may provide additional credentials or affiliations.

  2. Publication Date: The publication date is generally found beneath the author names or at the top of the article, directly below the title. It is often displayed in a month, day, and year format, which is crucial for creating an accurate citation.

  3. Article Title: The title of the article is prominently displayed at the top of the page. Ensure you capture the full title as it appears, including any subtitles, as this is an essential component of your citation.

  4. Abstract and Full Text: For additional context or detailed information, you can read the abstract or access the full text if available. This can sometimes provide further citation information, especially when multiple authors or complex titles are involved.

  5. URL/Access Information: The URL of the article is found in the browser’s address bar. Copy the complete URL as it appears to ensure that your citation directs readers to the exact article. Remember that NEJM articles have a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) that is often listed at the end of the article or in the citation tools provided by the website. Including the DOI in your citation is highly recommended as it provides a permanent link to the digital content.

Unique Features of NEJM:

By following these steps, you can efficiently gather all necessary citation information from NEJM, ensuring your references are accurate and complete according to APA 7th edition guidelines.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your The New England Journal of Medicine Citation

How to Create a Citation for The New England Journal of Medicine

Citing articles correctly is essential in academic writing. This guide will help you create a citation for an article from The New England Journal of Medicine in APA format. Follow these step-by-step instructions, and you’ll have your citation ready in no time.

What You Need

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Find the Article
    - Action: Start by searching for the article you wish to cite in The New England Journal of Medicine. You can do this by visiting the journal's website or using a search engine.
    - Verification: Ensure that you have the correct article by checking the title and author names.
    - Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes, depending on your familiarity with the journal.
    - Tip: Bookmark the article or save it in a document for easy access.

  2. Identify Author(s)
    - Action: Look for the full names of the authors. In APA style, you will need to list the last name followed by the initials of the first names.
    - Verification: Confirm that you have all authors listed. If there are multiple authors, separate them with commas and use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name.
    - Time Estimate: 2-5 minutes.
    - Tip: If there are more than 20 authors, list the first 19 followed by an ellipsis (...) and then the last author's name.

  3. Determine the Year of Publication
    - Action: Check the publication date, which is usually located near the article title or at the top of the page.
    - Verification: Make sure the year is correct and matches the article you are citing.
    - Time Estimate: 1 minute.
    - Tip: Write down the complete date if it is provided, but only include the year in the citation.

  4. Gather the Article Title
    - Action: Locate the title of the article. Ensure that you write it in sentence case, meaning only the first word and any proper nouns are capitalized.
    - Verification: Check that the title is accurate and matches the published article.
    - Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.
    - Tip: If the title is long, focus on the first 12 words for clarity.

  5. Find the Journal Title, Volume, and Issue
    - Action: Identify the journal title, volume number, and issue number from the article page. The journal title should be italicized, while the volume number should also be italicized and the issue number should be in parentheses (not italicized).
    - Verification: Make sure the journal title is spelled correctly and matches the APA format.
    - Time Estimate: 3-5 minutes.
    - Tip: Use the journal's homepage to confirm the volume and issue numbers if needed.

  6. Locate Page Numbers
    - Action: Find the starting and ending page numbers of the article. Write them down in the format "pages" without "pp." or "p.".
    - Verification: Double-check that the page numbers correspond to the article you are citing.
    - Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.
    - Tip: If the article is online and does not have traditional page numbers, you can use an article identifier if available.

  7. Get the DOI
    - Action: Look for the Digital Object Identifier (DOI), which is usually found at the top or bottom of the article page. If there is no DOI, you may use the URL of the article instead.
    - Verification: Make sure the DOI is accurate. It should begin with "https://doi.org/" followed by a unique identifier.
    - Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.
    - Tip: If you cannot find a DOI, search for the article on the journal's website to confirm.

  8. Assemble Your Citation
    - Action: Now that you have all the necessary components, assemble your citation in the following format:
    Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx
    - Verification: Carefully check your citation for any formatting errors. Ensure that the italicization and punctuation are correct.
    - Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
    - Tip: Use a citation management tool to help with formatting if you are unsure.

By following these steps, you can create a proper APA citation for an article from The New England

Real Examples from The New England Journal of Medicine

This section provides authentic citation examples from The New England Journal of Medicine using recent publications from 2023-2024.

As an AI language model, I don't have real-time access to external databases or the ability to retrieve or verify specific current content from the internet, including articles from The New England Journal of Medicine published in 2023-2024. However, I can provide hypothetical examples based on standard formats you might encounter when citing articles from The New England Journal of Medicine using APA 7th edition guidelines.

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

  1. Scenario Description: An article written by a single author discussing the latest advancements in cardiac surgery.
  2. Complete Reference List Citation:
    - Smith, J. A. (2023). Innovations in cardiac surgery techniques. The New England Journal of Medicine, 389(12), 1234-1245. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1234567
  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
    - (Smith, 2023)
  4. In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
    - Smith (2023) discusses recent innovations in cardiac surgery techniques.
  5. Notes: This example represents a common format with a single author, making it straightforward to cite.

Example 2: Corporate Author

  1. Scenario Description: A report published by a health organization about the impact of climate change on public health.
  2. Complete Reference List Citation:
    - World Health Organization. (2023). The impact of climate change on public health. The New England Journal of Medicine, 389(14), 1456-1470. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa7654321
  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
    - (World Health Organization, 2023)
  4. In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
    - According to the World Health Organization (2023), climate change significantly affects public health.
  5. Notes: Corporate authorship is key when the report or article is issued by an organization rather than individual authors.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

  1. Scenario Description: A study conducted by multiple researchers on the efficacy of a new drug for diabetes.
  2. Complete Reference List Citation:
    - Johnson, L. M., Lee, C. K., & Patel, R. T. (2023). Evaluating new drug efficacy in diabetes treatment. The New England Journal of Medicine, 389(10), 987-999. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2345678
  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
    - (Johnson, Lee, & Patel, 2023)
  4. In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
    - Johnson, Lee, and Patel (2023) evaluate the efficacy of a new drug in diabetes treatment.
  5. Notes: When there are three or more authors, list all authors up to 20 in the reference, and use an ampersand before the last author's name.

Example 4: Special Formatting Cases

  1. Scenario Description: An editorial piece discussing the ethical implications of genetic editing.
  2. Complete Reference List Citation:
    - Nguyen, T. D. (2023). Ethical implications of genetic editing. The New England Journal of Medicine, 389(15), 1501-1503. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMe2345678
  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
    - (Nguyen, 2023)
  4. In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
    - Nguyen (2023) raises important ethical questions regarding genetic editing.
  5. Notes: Editorial pieces can provide expert opinions and are typically shorter, often requiring a different approach in the analysis compared to empirical research articles.

These examples illustrate how to format citations for different authorship scenarios and publication types in The New England Journal of Medicine according to APA 7th edition guidelines.

Common Issues When Citing The New England Journal of Medicine

Finding Authors

Issue Description:
Students often struggle to identify the correct list of authors when citing articles from The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). This confusion arises because NEJM articles frequently have multiple authors, and students may not know how to list them all or how to correctly format the author list in APA style.

Why It Happens:
NEJM is a prestigious medical journal, and its articles often involve large teams of researchers, leading to long author lists. Additionally, NEJM uses a specific layout that may not clearly distinguish between the primary author and others, which can be confusing.

Solution:
1. Locate the Author Information: On the NEJM article page, authors are typically listed at the top of the article. If there are many authors, a link may be provided that expands to show the full list.
2. Follow APA Guidelines for Multiple Authors:
- For up to 20 authors, list them all in your citation.
- For 21 or more authors, list the first 19, insert an ellipsis (…), and then add the final author's name.

Before Example:
Smith, J., Johnson, A., & Others, E. (2023).

After Example:
Smith, J., Johnson, A., Brown, B., Williams, C., Jones, D., Garcia, E., Miller, F., Davis, G., Rodriguez, H., Martinez, I., Hernandez, J., Lopez, K., Gonzalez, L., Wilson, M., Anderson, N., Thomas, O., Taylor, P., Moore, Q., & Jackson, R. (2023).

Date Formats

Issue Description:
Students may incorrectly format the date of publication, especially when only a month or year is available, or when they misinterpret the date format on the website.

Why It Happens:
NEJM publishes articles frequently, and sometimes only the year is prominently displayed. However, the actual publication date can often be found in a smaller font or in a different section.

Solution:
1. Identify the Correct Date: Check the article page carefully for the most complete version of the publication date. This is usually found near the article title or in the article information section.
2. Apply APA Date Formats: Use the format "Year, Month Day" if the full date is available. If not, use "Year, Month" or simply "Year."

Before Example:
(2023.)

After Example:
(2023, October 15.)

URL Handling

Issue Description:
Students may struggle with how to correctly include URLs in their citations, especially when NEJM articles are accessed through institutional libraries or databases that use proxy URLs.

Why It Happens:
NEJM articles often require subscription access, which means that students may encounter different URLs depending on their access method. Proxy URLs can complicate the citation process.

Solution:
1. Use the Stable URL: NEJM provides a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for each article, which should be used instead of a URL.
2. Format the DOI Correctly: In APA format, present the DOI as a clickable link, starting with "https://doi.org/".

Before Example:
Retrieved from: http://proxy.yourschool.edu/nejm/article/123456

After Example:
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1234567

Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Students may not realize that NEJM requires a subscription for full access, affecting how they cite the source if they only have abstract access.

Why It Happens:
NEJM's articles are behind a paywall, and without institutional access, students might only see abstracts. They may mistakenly cite the entire article without having full access.

Solution:
1. Verify Access Level: Ensure that you have full access to the article. If you only have access to the abstract, make this clear in your citation.
2. Indicate Abstract Use When Applicable: If only the abstract is used, note this in your reference list.

Before Example:
The New England Journal of Medicine, 2023.

After Example:
Author(s). (Year). Title of the article. The New England Journal of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1234567 (Abstract)

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

Frequently Asked Questions About The New England Journal of Medicine

Q: How can I find the necessary citation information for an article from The New England Journal of Medicine on their website?

A: To find citation information, navigate to the article's page on The New England Journal of Medicine's website. Look for sections typically labeled as "Cite As" or "Citation," which often provide formatted citation details. If unavailable, extract the author's names, publication date, article title, journal name, volume, issue, and page numbers from the article itself.

Q: How do I handle articles with multiple authors from The New England Journal of Medicine in APA format?

A: In APA format, list up to 20 authors in your reference list. For articles with 21 or more authors from The New England Journal of Medicine, list the first 19 authors, followed by an ellipsis (...), and then the final author's name. Ensure all author names are formatted with the last name followed by initials.

Q: How are publication dates formatted for articles from The New England Journal of Medicine in APA style?

A: When citing articles from The New England Journal of Medicine, use the year of publication followed by the month and day, if available (e.g., 2023, October 14). This specific date format helps accurately reflect the publication timeline for articles from this journal.

Q: What are the requirements for including a URL or DOI when citing articles from The New England Journal of Medicine?

A: In APA format, always include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) at the end of the citation if available, as it provides a permanent link to the article's online location. If no DOI is provided, use the URL of the article's page on The New England Journal of Medicine's website, ensuring it is accessible and current.

Q: How does citing articles from The New England Journal of Medicine differ from other journal sources in APA format?

A: Citing articles from The New England Journal of Medicine in APA format follows the same general principles as other journals, but it is crucial to pay attention to the detailed publication date and accurately note any unique identifiers like DOI or URLs. Additionally, the prestige and impact of the journal might require more detailed attention to accuracy and completeness in the citation.

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