When citing interdisciplinary journals, how to choose the appropriate citation format?

Selecting the appropriate citation format for interdisciplinary journals primarily involves adhering to the specific guidelines mandated by the target journal. The journal's instructions for authors explicitly state the required style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, Vancouver, IEEE, or a journal-specific variant). The foundational principle is that the journal's specified style takes precedence over the conventions of any single contributing discipline. Carefully consult the journal’s official "Instructions for Authors," "Author Guidelines," or "Submission Guidelines" document, which invariably details citation formatting requirements. Failing to follow these specific instructions is a common reason for manuscript rejection prior to review. If the journal allows flexibility or lacks explicit detail, examining the citation style consistently used within recently published articles in that journal provides the most reliable guide. Maintaining absolute consistency in applying the chosen style throughout the manuscript is paramount. To implement this, first obtain and thoroughly review the journal’s official author guidelines, paying close attention to sections titled "References," "Citations," or "Style Guide." Identify the mandated style name or precise formatting rules. Subsequently, examine several articles within a recent issue of the journal to confirm practice aligns with guidelines. Strictly apply the identified style to all citations and the reference list, ensuring consistent formatting for all entry types (books, articles, online sources). This meticulous adherence fulfills the journal’s requirements and facilitates the peer review process.