In the text of a research article, if a reference is cited by writing the…
2023
In the text of a research article, if a reference is cited by writing the author name followed by "et al.", which among the following could represent the number of authors involved in the cited study?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Answer: C. C and D Only — ConceptIn an author–date in-text citation, et al. is an abbreviation meaning ‘and others.’ Because ‘others’ is plural, at least two authors must remain…
- A.
A and B Only
- B.
B and C Only
- C.
C and D Only
- D.
B, C and D Only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
In an author–date in-text citation, et al. is an abbreviation meaning ‘and others.’ Because ‘others’ is plural, at least two authors must remain unnamed after the first author is written; therefore, the cited work has at least three authors.
Application
For 1 author, nobody remains unnamed.
For 2 authors, only 1 author remains unnamed.
For 3 authors, 2 authors remain unnamed.
For 4 authors, 3 authors remain unnamed.
Cross-check and contrast
A count of 1 needs only the named author.
A count of 2 normally names both authors and leaves only one ‘other.’
Counts of 3 and 4 both leave multiple unnamed authors, which is what et al. represents.
Result
The possible numbers of authors are 3 and 4.