When citing a journal article, how should the volume number and issue number of the journal be handled?

Volume and issue numbers precisely identify a specific installment of a journal containing the cited article. They should always be included immediately after the journal title in a citation. Volume numbers are mandatory and typically italicized in major styles. Issue numbers, often enclosed in parentheses, are highly recommended but omitted when pagination runs continuously across a volume; include them if each issue starts at page one or if the style guide explicitly requires them (e.g., APA). Place the issue number directly after the volume number without "vol." or "no.", using correct punctuation like italics and parentheses as prescribed. Verify the publication’s specific formatting requirements (e.g., APA v7: 12(4); MLA: vol. 12, no. 4). Accurate inclusion enables readers and librarians to efficiently locate the source material, upholding scholarly precision and integrity. For APA 7th Edition, include the issue number in parentheses following the italicized volume (e.g., *Journal Name*, *15*(2), 45-67). Proper handling standardizes retrieval and signals professional rigor in academic work.