Vancouver (Numbering) citing in text

Vancouver - in-text

When using the Vancouver (Numbering) system citing in text means that whenever you refer to a source within the text of your essay, report or PowerPoint you give it a number either using superscript or within brackets, in the order in which they appear.  This means the first source you refer to is given (1) and the next different source is given (2) and so on.  If you want to refer to the first source again, give it the same number (1).

Below is an example of how to cite in text.

Example

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease of the basal ganglia of the brain, characterised by muscular rigidity, tremor and a shuffling gait. (1)  It was first described in 1817 by James Parkinson after whom the condition was later named. (2)

Patients with Parkinson's disease have a higher risk of developing dementia than other subjects and some studies have found that Parkinson's disease patients are more depressed than medically ill patients with a similar level of disability. (3, 4) Meakin and his colleagues suggest the use of screening in order to assess the level of depression in sufferers. (5)  LIn and co-authors consider functional connectivity markers for depression.  (6) Support organisations may offer guidance and assistance with mental health difficulties experienced by those with the disease. (7)

Some general guidance on how to use numbers in text

  • When citing two or more sources at once, write a number for each separated by a comma e.g. (1, 2) or (6, 12)
  • When citing more than two sources which are numbered consecutively, use a hyphen instead of a comma e.g. (3-5)
  • If you need to cite a particular work more than once, you can use the same reference number for each citation.
  • Numbers should be in brackets and placed after punctuation marks such as full stops or commas and before colons and semi-colons.

Further Help

Use the Cite them right online (CTRO) section on Vancouver. Links to an external site.

Read the CTRO Vancouver summary page Links to an external site., which includes a Sample Text and Reference List.

Consult our Library iCite pages on  Vancouver referencing.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information in the USA has made Citing Medicine Links to an external site. (2nd ed.) available online. This uses Vancouver style and is a key source for other guides.

Check a very useful online tutorial from Cardiff University on how to use the Vancouver Referencing style. 

Images

Images on this page from iStockPhotos, purchased for use by University of Birmingham.