Here's why:
* Accuracy: Listing all authors gives proper credit to everyone involved in the research and writing.
* Clarity: It helps readers identify the source more precisely, especially if there are other publications with overlapping authors.
* Respect for authorship: It acknowledges the contributions of all individuals who worked on the project.
There are exceptions:
* Style guides: Some specific style guides (like APA) have rules for citing works with a large number of authors.
* Length limitations: If you're writing a short piece or following strict word limits, you may abbreviate the citation after a certain number of authors (e.g., "Smith et al.").
* Direct quotations: If you're directly quoting a passage, you might need to list all authors regardless of the style guide.
Always check the specific style guide you're following for the most accurate and up-to-date instructions.