Vancouver system
Encyclopedia
The Vancouver system, also known as the "author-number" system, is a way of writing references in academic papers. It is popular in the physical sciences, and is one of two referencing systems normally used in medicine, the other being the author-date, or "Harvard", system.
, in 1978 that led to the establishment of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
. This was further developed by the National Library of Medicine in the U.S. whose version "should be considered as the authoritative style" according to the British Medical Association
(BMA).
The 2007 ICMJE edition, at paragraph IV.A.9.b. Reference Style and Format, refers to the detailed style guide at the NLM's Citing medicine. Several versions of the Uniform requirements were published, including the 1991 BMJ publication, the 1995 CMAJ publication and the 1997 Annals of Internal Medicine publication. Journals were asked to cite the 1997 JAMA version when reprinting the Uniform requirements. As of 2004, the editors of Haematologia simply "invite[d]" their authors to visit www.icmje.org for the 2003 revision of the Uniform requirements.
in parentheses (1), square brackets [1], superscript1, or a combination[1].
As an option, if a journal carries continuous pagination throughout a volume (as many medical journals do) the month and issue number may be omitted:
If there are more than six authors, the first six authors are listed followed by "et al.":
Note, however, that the NLM lists all authors for articles.
As an option, a unique identifier from a database may be added to the citation:
Articles not in English
As per journal articles in English:
The NLM adds an English translation of the title enclosed in square brackets and a language designator.
Editor(s) or compiler(s) as authors
Authored chapter in edited publication
History
The Vancouver system takes its name from a meeting in Vancouver, BC, CanadaVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, in 1978 that led to the establishment of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals
The Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals is a set of guidelines produced by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, for standardising the ethics, preparation and formatting of manuscripts submitted for publication by biomedical journals...
. This was further developed by the National Library of Medicine in the U.S. whose version "should be considered as the authoritative style" according to the British Medical Association
British Medical Association
The British Medical Association is the professional association and registered trade union for doctors in the United Kingdom. The association does not regulate or certify doctors, a responsibility which lies with the General Medical Council. The association’s headquarters are located in BMA House,...
(BMA).
The 2007 ICMJE edition, at paragraph IV.A.9.b. Reference Style and Format, refers to the detailed style guide at the NLM's Citing medicine. Several versions of the Uniform requirements were published, including the 1991 BMJ publication, the 1995 CMAJ publication and the 1997 Annals of Internal Medicine publication. Journals were asked to cite the 1997 JAMA version when reprinting the Uniform requirements. As of 2004, the editors of Haematologia simply "invite[d]" their authors to visit www.icmje.org for the 2003 revision of the Uniform requirements.
Labelling citations
References are numbered consecutively in order of appearance in the text – they are identified by Arabic numeralsArabic numerals
Arabic numerals or Hindu numerals or Hindu-Arabic numerals or Indo-Arabic numerals are the ten digits . They are descended from the Hindu-Arabic numeral system developed by Indian mathematicians, in which a sequence of digits such as "975" is read as a numeral...
in parentheses (1), square brackets [1], superscript1, or a combination[1].
Format of citations
Different formats exist for different types of sources, e.g. books, journal articles etc.Journal articles
Standard journal articles- Leurs R, Church MK, Taglialatela M. H1-antihistamines: inverse agonism, anti-inflammatory actions and cardiac effects. Clin Exp Allergy. 2002 Apr;32(4):489-98.
As an option, if a journal carries continuous pagination throughout a volume (as many medical journals do) the month and issue number may be omitted:
- Thomas MC. Diuretics, ACE inhibitors and NSAIDs – the triple whammy. Med J Aust. 2000;172:184–185.
If there are more than six authors, the first six authors are listed followed by "et al.":
- Guilbert TW, Morgan WJ, Zeiger RS, Mauger DT, Boehmer SJ, Szefler SJ, et al. Long-term inhaled corticosteroids in preschool children at high risk for asthma. N Engl J Med. 11 May 2006;354(19):1985–97.
Note, however, that the NLM lists all authors for articles.
As an option, a unique identifier from a database may be added to the citation:
- von Itzstein M, Wu WY, Kok GB, Pegg MS, Dyason JC, Jin B, et al. Rational design of potent sialidase-based inhibitors of influenza virus replication. Nature. 1993 Jun 3;363(6428):418-23. Cited in PubMed; PMID 8502295.
Articles not in English
As per journal articles in English:
- Forneau E, Bovet D. Recherches sur l'action sympathicolytique d'un nouveau dérivé du dioxane. Arch Int Pharmacodyn. 1933;46:178-91.
The NLM adds an English translation of the title enclosed in square brackets and a language designator.
Books
Personal author(s)- Rang HP, Dale MM, Ritter JM, Moore PK. Pharmacology. 5th ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2003.
Editor(s) or compiler(s) as authors
- Beers MH, Porter RS, Jones TV, Kaplan JL, Berkwits M, editors. The Merck manual of diagnosis and therapy. 18th ed. Whitehouse Station (NJ): Merck Research Laboratories; 2006.
Authored chapter in edited publication
- Glennon RA, Dukat M. Serotonin receptors and drugs affecting serotonergic neurotransmission. In: Williams DA, Lemke TL, editors. Foye's principles of medicinal chemistry. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002.
Electronic material
Website- Drug-interactions.com [homepage on the Internet]. Indianapolis: Indiana University Department of Medicine; 2003 [updated 17 May 2006; cited 30 May 2006]. Available from: http://medicine.iupui.edu/flockhart/
External links
Many medical institutions maintain their own style guides, with information on how to cite sources:- University of Queensland (PDF; accessed September 30, 2006)
- University of Leicester Library, Vancouver Style Guide (accessed 24 December 2006)