Vancouver reference style guide

Notes
 Your reference list should appear at the end of your assignment/report
with the entries listed numerically and in the same order that they were
cited in the text.
 It is very important that you use the right punctuation and that the order of
details in the reference is also correct.
 No use of & between author names
 Book and journal titles are not italicised or placed in quotation marks.
 Abbreviate page numbers to p., for example p. 12–25.
 Only first words of the article title and words that normally begin with a
capital letter are capitalised.
 Journal titles are abbreviated. A list of abbreviations for the titles is
available online at either List of Journals in MEDLINE with abbreviations (NB: Use
the binoculars in the toolbar to search for a title) or Medical Journal
Abbreviations (Internationally recognised abbreviations for journal titles).
Other sources: Caltech Library Services and Bioscience
 In reference list: more than 6 authors, first 3 authors are listed; thereafter
add et al. after the third author. In text: only the first authors name then et
al.
 If the journal has continuous page numbering, you may omit month/issue
number
 Place superscript reference number after commas and full stops and before
colons and semi-colons – unless the superscript is attached to authors
name or title of book/database – then always before punctuation.
 If the reference number is connected to a year or number, place a space
between the number and the reference number for clarity. [example: back
as 1915 35 …]
 Italicise the title of artwork (painting, photograph, sculpture etc.) in the
text. The title should be written in title case. For example, The Alchemist.
Place single inverted commas around the title of an art exhibition, which
should be written in sentence case. For example, Fossil icons of South
Africa’.

Books
Books In-Text Example Reference List Example
Single author The theory was first 1. Comfort A. A good age. London:
propounded in 1993 by Mitchell Beazley; 1997.
Comfort1 that …
OR
Comfort1 claimed that
‘…’
2 – 6 authors ‘… new definition of 2. Madden R, Hogan T. The definition
disability’2 of disability in Australia: Moving
OR towards national consistency.
Madden et al. have Canberra: Australian Institute of
stated that ‘…’2 Health and Welfare; 1997.
More than 6 Numerous academic 3. Rodgers P, Smith K, Williams D, et
Physical Address: 15 Oxford Street, Durbanville, 7550.
Postal Address: Postnet Suite 110, Private Bag X19, Durbanville, 7551.
Phone: 086 1000381 or +27 21 975 2602 | Fax: +27 21 975 4635 | Email: info@[Link] | URL: [Link]
African Online Scientific Information Systems (Pty)Ltd t/a AOSIS Reg No: 2002/002017/07
Updated 8 Aug 2009 by AOSIS
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 3
authors librarians al. The way forward for Australian
libraries. Perth: Wombat Press; 2002.
No author ‘ …the most-accepted 4. Advertising in the Western Cape.
definition.’4 Cape Town: ABC Publishers; 1990.
Multiple works University research 5,6 5. Brown P. Corals in the Capricorn
by same author has indicated that… [if group. Rockhampton: Central
not previously cited] Queensland University; 1982.

6. Brown P. The effects of anchor on

corals. Rockhampton: Central
Queensland University; 1988.
Editor The most 7. Kastenbaum R, editor.
comprehensive work on Encyclopedia of adult development.
the Subject7 … Phoenix: Oryx Press; 1993.
Different The latest preferred 8. Renton N. Compendium of good
editions style8 writing. 3rd ed. Milton: John Wiley &
Sons; 2004.
An edition number is placed after
the title of the work - this is not
necessary for a first edition.
Encyclopedia or ‘is defined as …’9 9. Oxford dictionary for scientific
Dictionary writers and editors. Oxford:
Clarendon; 1991. Parabola; p. 89.

[include the definition looked up – in

this case ‘Parabola’.
Article or As discussed by 10. Blaxter M. Social class and health
chapter in a Blaxter10… inequalities. In: Carter C, Peel J,
book editors. Equalities and inequalities in
health. London: Academic Press,
1976; p. 369–380.
Article or Achieving a life of its 11. Solving the Y2K problem. In:
chapter in a own11… Bowd D, editor Technology today
book – no and tomorrow. New York: Van
author Nostrand Reinhold, 1997; p. 27–40.
Conference This was discussed at 15. Harnden P, Joffe JK, Jones WG,
proceeding (the the conference15 …. editors. Germ cell tumours V.
whole Proceedings of the 5th Germ Cell
conference) Tumour Conference; 2001 Sep 13–15;
Leeds, UK. New York:Springer; 2002.
Conference This was discussed at 15. Anderson JC. Current status of
paper the conference15 …. chorion villus biopsy. Paper
presented at: APSB 1986.
Proceedings of the 4th Congress of
the Australian Perinatal Society,
Mothers and Babies; 1986 Sep 8–10;
Queensland, Australian. Berlin:
Springer; 1986. p. 182–191.
Conference This was discussed at 15. Chasman J, Kaplan RF. The
poster/worksho the conference15 …. effects of occupation on preserved
p cognitive functioning in dementia.
Poster session presented at:
Excellence in clinical practice, 4th
Annual Conference of the American
Academy of Clinical

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 Neuropsychology; 2006 Jun 15–17;
Philadelphia, PA.
Image in a book The poster ‘Buy 16. Cowle C, Walker D. The art of
Australian Apples’16 apple branding. Hobart:Apples from
Oz; 2005.

Print Journals
Print Journals In-Text Example Reference List Example
Article As mentioned by 17. Wharton N. Health and safety in
Wharton17,… outdoor activity centres. J
Adventure Ed Outdoor Lead.
1996;12(4):8–9.
Article – no It’s a growing problem 18. Anorexia nervosa. Br Med J.
author in the U.K.18 … 1969;2(1):529–530.
Newspaper ‘… not responsible’.19 19. Towers K. Doctor not at fault:
article – with or coroner. The Australian 2000 Jan
without author 18;3.
Newspaper ‘…not responsible.’20 20. Doctor cleared by coroner.
article – no Sydney Morning Herald 2000 Jan
author 24;12.
Press release As stated by the 21. Watersmith C. BHP enters new
company21 era [press release].Melbourne: BHP
Limited; 2000 Mar 1.

Electronic Journals
Electronic In-Text Example Reference List Example
Journals
Full text from an The economic policy 22. Reid DB. Australasian association
electronic issues raised by the of doctors’ health advisory services.
database Internet are discussed Med J Australia [serial online]. 2005
in detail by Madden22 [cited 2006 Mar 28];182(5):255.
Available from: Health and Medical
Complete.
Full text from an The internet has had a 23. Cell tropism of Salmonella
electronic huge impact on the enterica. Int J Med Microbiol [serial
database – no Australian economy 23 online]. 2004 [cited 2006 Mar 28];
… 294(4):225–33. Available from:
Health and Medical Complete.
Full text Promoted as a ‘frontier 24. WA packed with overseas
newspaper, state’24, Western appeal. The West Australian [serial
newswire or Australia is seen by online]. 2003 [cited 2004 Nov 13]
magazine from overseas tourists as … Nov 12; 47. Available from: Factiva.
an electronic
database – no
author
Full text from Recreational venues of 25. Sopensky E. Ice rink becomes
the internet a seasonal nature can hot business. Austin Business
still be profitable25 … Journal [serial on the Internet]. 2002
[cited 2002 Oct 16]; 10(4). Available

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 from:
[Link]
tories/2002/10/14/[Link].
Article from ‘ …tips on speaking to 26. Bodeker G, Kronenberg F. A
Curtin E-Reserve groups of health care public health agenda for traditional,
professionals.26 complimentary, and alternative
medicine. Am. J. Public Health [serial
online]. 2002 [cited 2006 Mar 29]
92(10):1582–91. Available from:
Curtin Library and Information
Service E-Reserve.
Article from a Marketing is money 27. La Rosa SM. Marketing slays the
CD-ROM (BPO) well spent, even in hard downsizing dragon. Information
times, according to La Today [serial on CD-ROM] 1992
Rosa27. [cited 2002 Oct 16]; 9(3):58–9.
Available from: UMI Business
Periodicals Ondisc.
Newspaper Marketing is money 60. Dearne K. Dispensing with the
article from well spent, even in hard chemist. The Australian [newspaper
online database times, according to online]. 2005 Jun 14 [cited 2005 Jun
Dearne60. 30];[about 8 screens]. Available
from: Factiva.
[Link]
Cochrane This is debated by Iyer, 28. Iyer V, Farquhar C, Jepson R. The
Review Farquhar and Jepson28 effectiveness of oral contraceptive
pills versus placebo or any other
medical treatment for menorrhagia.
[Cochrane review] In: The Cochrane
Library, Issue 4, 1998. Oxford:
Update Software.

World Wide Web

World Wide In-Text Example Reference List Example
Web
Document on A good example of how 29. Department of Health.
WWW students can learn Creutzfeldt Jakob disease: Guidance
online about for healthcare workers [homepage
referencing at their on the Internet]. c2003 [updated
own pace can found at 2003 Mar 23; cited 2003 Nov 9].
Curtin University.29 Available from
[Link]
[Link]
Document on … Curtin University 30. Curtin University of Technology
WWW – no Library launched an [homepage on the Internet]. Perth:
article title improved version of Curtin University; c2004 [updated
their homepage 30 2004 May 21; cited 2004 Dec 10]
Available from:
[Link]
Document on Both Leafy Seadragons 31. Leafy seadragons and weedy
WWW – No and Weedy Seadragons seadragons [homepage on the
author are protected species.31 Internet]. c2001 [updated 2001 Aug
1; cited 2004 Dec 10]. Available

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 from:
[Link]
y/seadragons/.
Document on A link between these 32. McCook A. Pre-diabetic
WWW – No date conditions has been condition linked to memory loss
noted by McCook.32 [homepage on the Internet]. No date
[cited 2003 Feb 7]. Available from:
[Link]
/news_11531.html
Image on the The image of the 33. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
web bleached coral33 Authority [image on the Internet].
c2002 [updated 2006 Jan 28; cited
2006 Feb 15]. Available from:
[Link]
e/info_services/science/bleaching/

Government Publications
Government In-Text Example Reference List Example
Publications
Acts of The Environmental 34. Environmental Protection Act of
parliament Protection Act 198634... 1986, WA [statute on the Internet].
c2002 [cited 2004 Dec 21].
Available from: State Law Publisher.
Cases State-federal relations 35. The State of New South Wales v.
in this issue were tested The Commonwealth (1915) 20 CLR
in court as far back as 5.
1915 35 …
Australian … change from the 36. Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Bureau of figures published in Disability, ageing and carers:
Statistics 1999 by the ABS.36 summary of findings. Canberra: ABS;
Bulletin 1999. ABS publication 4430.0.
Australian … change from the 37. Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Bureau of figures published in Disability, ageing and carers:
Statistics from 1999 by the ABS.37 Summary of findings [serial online].
ABS website c1999 [cited 2004 Oct 14]; ABS
publication 4430.0. Available from:
[Link]
Census … information from the 38. Australian Bureau of Statistics.
information 2001 census now Census of population and housing:
becoming dated.38 2001 Census Basic Community
Profiles and Snapshots: Postal Areas:
postal area 6050: B01 selected
characteristics. First release
processing [data table online]. c2001
[cited 2002 Nov 20]. Available from:
[Link]
Government … a new approach to 39. Resource Assessment
reports resource Commission. Forest and timber
assessment on the enquiry. Volume 1. Draft report.
macro level.39 Canberra: Australian Government
Publishing Service; 1991.

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 Also:

39. Childrens Institure, UCT. Child

rights in focus. Annual report
2004/2005 [document on the
Internet]. University of Cape Town;
no date [cited 2009 Feb 21].
Available from: xxxx.
Patent US Patent 40. Pagedas AC, inventor; Ancel
20020103498 40 Surgical R&D Inc., assignee. Flexible
endoscopic grasping and cutting
device and positioning tool
assembly. United States patent
20020103498. 2002 Aug 1.
Online Standard from Standards 41. Standards Australia. Size clothing
Australia41 scheme for infants’ and children’s
clothing – underwear and outerwear
[standard online]. c1997 [cited 2006
Feb 22]; AS 1182–1997. Available
from: Standards Australia Online.

Secondary Sources
Secondary In-Text Example Reference List Example
Sources
Book Higgins discusses 42. Higgins D. Horizons: The poetics
Newman’s research in and theory of the intermedia. Illinois:
his work…42 Southern Illinois University Press:
1984

Record the book that you actually

used.
Journal article Clements quoted [Link] C. The facts about
Chandler in his cocaine (drugs), Science and
article…43 Children [serial online]. 2007 [cited
2007 Apr 13]; 44(7): 44. Available
from: ProQuest.

Record the journal that you actually

used.

Other Sources
Other Sources In-Text Example Reference List Example
Personal This was later Not included in reference list as they
communication, confirmed (Savieri S cannot be traced by the reader.
email, discussion 1999, personal
lists (no web communication, April
archive) 24) that an outbreak
occurred in London at

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 this time.
Citing Matthews C, Van Rensburg A,
unpublished Schierhout G, Coetzee N. The
work using potential of syndromic management
numbered to improve the care of patients at an
references: STD clinic in Cape Town. Medical
Research Council and Department of
Give Community Health, University of
‘(Unpublished)’ Cape Town; 1997 (Unpublished
at the end of a report).
reference if the
information is Thapisa A. Co-operation with the
not readily University of Botswana. [Personal
available or interview, 10 March] Cape Town;
obvious. 1998 (Unpublished).

Films and video … as seen in the 44. Scorsese M, producer; Lonergan

recordings Lonergan film, You Can K, director. You can count on me
Count on Me44. [motion picture]. United States:
Paramount Pictures; 2000.
Television and …then AMA chief, in a 45. The medical profession in the
radio television interview.45 1990s [television broadcast]. The
programmes MacNeil/Lehrer news hour. New
York, Washington D.C.: Public
Broadcasting Service; 1993 Oct 11.
Podcast ….in The Wings of a 46. The wings of a butterfly –
Butterfly – Children, children, teenagers and anxiety
Teenagers and Anxiety [podcast on the Internet]. Sydney:
46
ABC Radio National; c2005
[updated 2005 Sep 10; cited 2005
Sep 16]. Available from:
[Link]
[Link]#mind.
CD-ROM …in Anderson’s 47. Anderson SC, Poulsen KB.
Electronic Atlas of Anderson’s electronic atlas of
Haematology47 haematology [CD-ROM].
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and
Wilkins; 2002.
Email discussion … as discussed by 49. Little L. Two new policy briefs.
list – web Little49. ECPOLICY [discussion list on the
archive Internet]. 2002 Apr 16 [cited 2002
Nov 13]. Available from:
[Link]
erv_Archives/ECP
OLICY/2002/Apr_2002/Msg0003.h
tml
Government Examples Australia. Commonwealth
publication Department of Veterans' Affairs and
Defence. Australian Gulf War
veterans' health study 2003.
Canberra: Commonwealth of
Australia; 2003.
Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Disability, ageing and carers:
summary of findings. Canberra: ABS;
1999. ABS publication 4430.0.

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Association/org Examples Name of organisation. Title of book.
anisation as Place of publication: Publisher; year.
author Page(s).

Diabetes Prevention Program

Research Group. Hypertension,
insulin, and proinsulin in participants
with impaired glucose tolerance.
Hypertension. 2002;40(5):679–86.
Foreign/Translat Examples Ellingsen AE, Wilhelmsen I. [Disease
ed works anxiety among medical students and
law students]. Tidsskr Nor
Laegeforen. 2002 Mar
20;122(8):785–7. Norwegian.
Scientific / Examples Lugg DJ. Physiological adaptation
Technical report and health of an expedition in
Antarctica: with comment on
behavioural adaptation. Canberra:
A.G.P.S.; 1977. Australian
Government Department of Science,
Antarctic Division. ANARE scientific
reports. Series B(4), Medical science
No. 0126.
Unpublished Example Borkowski MM. Infant sleep and
dissertation/thes feeding: a telephone survey of
is Hispanic Americans [unpublished
dissertation]. Mount Pleasant (MI):
Central Michigan University; 2002.
In Press Example Tian D, Araki H, Stahl E, Bergelson J,
Kreitman M. Signature of balancing
selection in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl
Acad Sci U S A. In press 2002.
Referencing Format: Title (1 space) Epi Info [computer program].
software medium in square Version 6. Atlanta (GA): Centers for
packages in brackets [e.g. computer Disease Control and Prevention;
Vancouver program, computer 1994.
file](full-stop, 1 space)
Version (full-stop, 1
space) Place of
production (colon, 1
space) Producer (semi-
colon, 1 space) Year
(full-stop)

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