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Vancouver

Vancouver is a numbered referencing style requiring an in-text citation within the text of your document and a related entry in a reference list at the end of your document.

Basics of referencing

This section covers in-text referencing, plus the reference list components and a sample reference list.

Format of the whole document

  • Font & Size: Times New Roman 12 or  Arial 10 (check with lecturer or course outline for the preferred font and size).
  • Spacing: 1.5 (check with lecturer or course outline for preferred spacing). 

When using another person's ideas or words, include an Arabic numeral in brackets (consecutively numbered).

Repeated references

If the reference is referred to again, the same number is used.

Example

.... has been recently identified (1). There is a need to be cautious with giving aspirin to children as overdosing can lead to mortality (1).

Multiple works

If you are expressing ideas that have originated from more than one source, separate the numbers with commas, or use a hyphen if referring to a range of numbers (references). 

Example

... in alkyl sulphates such as sodium lauryl sulphate (3,5-6) and diethyl sulphate (7). Other compounds showing promise were those in the C12 - C14 range (3-4).

Reference list layout

  • Header:  Add a reference list entitled References at the end of your essay, citing all sources used in the body of your writing, except for personal communications.
  • Font & size:  Times New Roman 12 or  Arial 10 (check with lecturer or course outline for the preferred font).
  • Spacing:  1.5 (check with lecturer or course outline for preferred spacing).
  • Hanging indent:  The first line of each reference should be aligned with the left margin. The second and subsequent lines should be indented in line with the author.
  • Page numbers: Do not repeat numbering e.g. 125-128, would be 125-8.

Example

1. Braun V, Clarke V. To saturate or not to saturate? Questioning data saturation as a useful concept for thematic analysis and sample-size rationales. Qual Res Sport Exerc Health. 2021;13(2):201-16.

  • Order:  The reference list should be in numerical order (consecutively numbered).

References

1. Azer SA. Making sense of clinical teaching: a hands-on guide to success. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2013.

2. Epstein O, Perkin GD, Cookson J, Watt IS, Rakhit R, Robins A, et al. Clinical examination [Internet]. 4th ed. Edinburgh: Mosby; 2008 [cited 2017 Nov 30]. Available from: https://www-clinicalkey-com-au.ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz/#!/content/book/3-s2.0-B9780723434542500027

3. Harold G. Smoking impacts on adolescent development. In: Gluckman P, Hayne H, editors. Improving the transition: reducing social and psychological morbidity during adolescence. Auckland (NZ): Office of the Prime Minister’s Science Advisory Committee; 2011. p. 225-34.

4. Clarkson PM. Case report of exertional rhabdomyolysis in a 12-year-old boy. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006;38(2):197-200.

5. Australia New Zealand Food Authority. Shellfish toxins in food: a toxicological review and risk assessment [Internet]. Canberra (AU): Australia New Zealand Food Authority; 2001 [cited 2017 Nov 30]. Technical Report Series No.: 14. Available from: http://www.foodstandards.govt.nz/publications/documents/TR14.pdf

6. Matheson NJ. Increasing Pasifika student success in academic writing courses. Paper presented at: 2nd Foundation & Bridging Educators New Zealand Conference; 2014 Dec 3-4; Tauranga, New Zealand.

Why we reference

When using information or ideas in your essay, research paper, dissertation or thesis, you must acknowledge and identify the original source. This is known as referencing. Whether you paraphrase, summarise or quote someone else's ideas, you must add a reference.

Referencing enables you to:

  • Avoid plagiarism
  • Allows the reader to consult the original source of your information
  • Gives evidence to your statement
  • Acknowledges the author from whom the information was obtained