"Smith et al." refers to a group of researchers led by a primary author named Smith. This term is commonly used in academic writing to cite studies or papers that involve multiple authors. The "et al." abbreviation stands for "et alia," which is Latin for "and others," indicating that there are additional contributors to the work. In academic contexts, "Smith et al." is often used to streamline citations, especially when a publication has three or more authors. This practice helps maintain clarity and brevity in scholarly communication, allowing readers to focus on the findings without being overwhelmed by a long list of names.