Skip to Main Content

Vancouver Referencing Style @ UCT

Vancouver Referencing Style is extensively used in the biomedical and health sciences.

Journals - Reference List examples

Print journal article with one author:

Rule: Use MEDLINE official abbreviations for all journals.

Author AA. Article title. Journal title. Year of the article; Volume(Issue number): Start and end page of the article.

e.g.

 1. Hendricks ML. Mandatory reporting of child abuse in South Africa: legislation explored. S Afr Med J. 2014;      

         104(8):550-52.

Print journal article with more than six authors:

Rule: List the first six authors followed by “et al” or “and others”. The authors are listed in the order that they
         appear in the article. Separate them by commas.

2. Mazanderani AF, du Plessis NM, Lumb J, Feucht UD, Myburgh M, Mayaphi SH, et al. Recommendations for the
      medical evaluation of children prior to adoption in South Africa. S Afr Med J. 2014;104(8):544-48.    

 Print journal article with no author:

Rule: This reference is entered by the title of the article in the reference list.

Title of the article. Title of the journal. Year of the article; Volume(Issue number): start and end page of the article.

e.g.

   3. Effects of extended-release niacin with laropiprant in high-risk patients. N Eng J Med. 2014;371(3):203-12.

 

Journal articles with organisation as author:

4. Parkinsons Study Group. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of rasagiline in levadopa-treated patients with 
      Parkinsons disease and motor flanctuations: the PRESTO study. Arch Neurol. 2005 Feb;62(2):241-8.

 Print journal article with type of article indicated, e.g. abstract, letter, book review, etc...

5. Mason E. From evidence to action to deliver a healthy start for the next generation [Abstract]. Lancet. 2014;
       384(9941):455-67.

Print journal article issue with supplement:

  6. Kenney JT. Beyond menopause: life after estrogen. Mayo Clin Health Lett. 2005 Feb;102(2 Suppl):220-23.

Print journal article issue with part:

7. Menter A. Pharmacokinetics and safety of tarazotene. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2000;43(2 Pt 3):S31-5.

Print journal article with season included in date:

8. Swan T. Current challenges in hepatitis. Res Initiat Treat Action. 2004 Fall;10(2):17-20.
 

Journal article with no volume or issue number:

  9. Schwartz T. Feeding assistants: based on logic or way off base? Contemp Longterm Care. 2005:26-8.

 Electronic journal article from a database without DOI number:

Rule: If there is no DOI, do not include the url for online journal article since these are very lengthy, often unstable and it is assumed that most journals have been accessed online and UCT students would have access to its online collection. 

   Article author AA. Title of the article. Title of the journal. Date of the article;Volume(Issue number); Start and end page of the article [cited Year Month and date when accessed].

e.g.

   10. Jha V, Mclean M, Gibbs TJ, Sandars J. Medical professionalism across cultures: a challenge for medicine and medical education. Med Tech. 2014;14(8):19-25 [cited 2017 Sept 02].

Electronic journal article from a database with DOI number:

11. Battacharya V, Barooah PS, Nag TC, Chaudhuri GR, Batacharya S. Detail microscopic analysis of deep fascia of lower limb and its surgical implication. Indian J Plast Sur. 2010;43(2):135-40. doi:10.4103/0970-0358.73424.
 

Journal articles available free on the web:

Rule: Use the full URL of the article.

12. Freeman M, Miller C, Ross N. The impact of individual philosophies of teamwork on multi-professional  practice and the implication for education. J Interprof Care. 2000;14(3):237-47 [cited 2014 Sept 3]. 

Cochrane Library Review with a DOI:

13. Colquitt JL, Pickett K, Loveman E, Frampton GK. Surgery for weight loss in adults. Cochrane Database          of Systematic Reviews. 2014. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003641.pub4.