Citing References
Citing references using the Vancouver system
In the text
Cite your sources by using a number in brackets in the text which links with the relevant reference in the reference list at the end of the document :
- In a 2008 study Neelam (1) ...
- Glaser argued ...(2)
Any subsequent citation of the same source should use the same reference number:
- Neelam and colleagues found (1)...
Page numbers can be added to the citation to distinguish between references to the same source: (2: 45).
In the reference list
The entries in the reference list or bibliography should be arranged in numerical order relating to the citation in the text:
1. Neelam K, Hogg RE, Stevenson MR, Johnston E, Anderson R, Beatty S, et al. Carotenoids and co-antioxidants in age-related maculopathy: design and methods. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2008 Nov-Dec;15(6):389-401.
| Use et al. for the seventh and subsequent authors. |
2. Glaser JS. Neuro-opthalmology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1999.
This style uses abbreviated journal titles. See the NLM abbreviation list for details on standard abbreviations.
Reference list examples of different types of sources
Single author:
Hartwig WC. Fundamental anatomy. Baltimore.: Kluwer : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007.
Two authors:
Allison MEM, McDonald SW. Core clinical cases : self-assessment for medical students : anatomy and physiology. Knutsford: PasTest; 2008.
Book section from an edited book:
Ashcroft RE. Ethics of clinical trials: social, cultural and economic factors. In: Stevens A, Abrams K, Brazier J, Fitzpatrick R, Lilford R, editors. The advanced handbook of methods in evidence based healthcare. London: Sage; 2001. p. 25-37.
Edition:
Lumley JSP. Surface anatomy : the anatomical basis of clinical examination. 4th ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2008.
Journal article:
Monson DM, Smith JR, Klein ML, Wilson DJ. Clinicopathologic correlation of retinal angiomatous proliferation. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Dec;126(12):1664-8.
Journal article - seven or more authors:
Neelam K, Hogg RE, Stevenson MR, Johnston E, Anderson R, Beatty S, et al. Carotenoids and co-antioxidants in age-related maculopathy: design and methods. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2008 Nov-Dec;15(6):389-401.
Web page:
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals: sample references. [Webpage] 2005 [cited 12 December 2008]; Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/uniform_requirements.html.
Map:
Ordnance Survey, cartographer. Lancaster, Morecambe & Fleetwood [map]. Southampton: Ordnance Survey; 2004.
Podcast
Plant genomics. [Podcast]. Science; 2008 [cited 25 April 2008]. Available from: http://bakser.aaas.org/SciencePodcast_080425.mp3.
Further information
For more details and examples of further sources, see:
Neville C. The complete guide to referencing and avoiding plagarism. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill Open University Press; 2007 at YUWC International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals: sample references. 2005; Available from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/uniform_requirements.html