If the cited article has no publication year, how should it be handled?

When an article lacks a publication year in citations, substitute the year with the abbreviation "n.d." (no date) in both in-text citations and the reference list, following standards such as APA Style. This approach relies on accurately verifying the date absence through source examination, as misattribution risks credibility. It primarily applies within date-inclusive citation systems like APA, where "n.d." ensures logical placeholder functionality. Consistency in its use across all relevant entries is mandatory to prevent reader confusion. While applicable to many unpublished or undated digital materials, prioritize sourcing formally dated versions when feasible to enhance traceability. Implementation involves inserting "(n.d.)" after the author’s name in in-text citations and placing "n.d." within parentheses in the reference entry’s date slot. This practice upholds scholarly communication integrity by allowing citation continuity despite incomplete metadata, reducing ambiguity in literature reviews and supporting accountability. Typical scenarios include citing webpages without visible publication dates or archival documents where dates are unrecorded.