In-text citation: paraphrase

Paraphrasing is when you use someone else's ideas or research and express them in your own words. Acknowledge the author by inserting a number after their name (if you use it) or at the end of your sentence.

Using a case study, Sullivan (1) demonstrates the relationship between goal setting and career advancement.

Effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills are essential for nurses. (1)

Number each source in the order in which they first appear in your text. Your in-text citation will correspond to the same number in the reference list. Use the same number whenever you cite that source.

For more explanation, see Using Vancouver: General rules for in-text citations in this style guide.

In-text citation: direct quote

A direct quote is when you use someone else's exact words. Acknowledge the author in the same way as a paraphrase, with the addition of the page number where the author's quotation is found. Place quotation marks around the quotation to make it clear these are not your own words.

According to Sullivan (1), nurses "get fulfillment from caring for others". (p29)

While the public may value nurses highly, "nursing ranks low in career desirability". (1 p47)

For more explanation, see Using Vancouver: General rules for in-text citations in this style guide.

Reference list

Follow Using Vancouver: General rules for the reference list in this style guide to format your reference list.

When following the example below it is important to:

• Place each element in the same order as the example
• Use the same punctuation
• Do not use italics
• Use sentence case for titles: capitalise the first word and proper nouns only.

Rule

1. Author family name initials. Book title: book subtitle. City of publication (State or Country): Publisher; Year of publication.

Example

1. Sullivan EJ. Becoming influential: a guide for nurses. 2nd ed. Boston (MA): Pearson; 2013.

In-text citation: paraphrase

Paraphrasing is when you use someone else's ideas or research and express them in your own words.

When paraphrasing a book with multiple authors, insert the reference list number for that title as you would for a book with one author:

The use of binomial control charts (2) is recommended for...

However, if you wish to include the authors' names in your sentence, use the family name of the first author only followed by et al.:

Morton et al. (2) suggest that the use of binomial control charts ...

For more explanation, see Using Vancouver: General rules for in-text citations in this style guide.

In-text citation: direct quote

A direct quote is when you use someone else's exact words. Your in-text citation must always include the page number where the author's quotation is found.

When quoting directly from a book with more than one author, insert the reference list number for that title followed by the page number:

Researchers are advised that "the possibility of bias should be kept in mind". (2 p132)

However, if you wish to write the authors' names in your sentence, use the family name of the first author only followed by et al.:

According to Morton et al., "the possibility of bias should be kept in mind" (2 p132) when using any chart type to...

For more explanation, see Using Vancouver: General rules for in-text citations in this style guide.

Reference list

When there are six or fewer authors, list all the authors in the reference list entry.

Rule

2. Author family name initials, Author family name initials, Author family name initials, Author family name initials, Author family name initials, Author family name initials. Book title: book subtitle. City of publication (State or Country): Publisher; Year of publication.

Example

2. Morton A, Mengersen KL, Playford G, Whitby M. Statistical methods for hospital monitoring with R. Chichester (United Kingdom): John Wiley & Sons; 2013.

When there are more than six authors, list the first six, followed by et al.

Rule

3. Author family name initials, Author family name initials, Author family name initials, Author family name initials, Author family name initials, Author family name initials, et al. Book title: book subtitle. City of publication (State or Country): Publisher; Year of publication.

Example

3. Goering RV, Dockrell HM, Wakelin D, Zuckerman M, Chiodini PL, Roitt IM, et al. Mims' medical microbiology. 4th ed. Philadelphia (PA): Mosby Elsevier; 2008.

Follow Using Vancouver: General rules for the reference list in this style guide to format your reference list.

In-text citations

Whether you are paraphrasing or using a direct quote, in-text citations do not include the edition number of a book. Format your in-text citations as you would a book with one author.

Colbert et al. (4) highlight the important role that skin plays in protecting the body.

For more explanation, see Using Vancouver: General rules for in-text citations in this style guide.

Reference list

Format your reference entry as you would for a book with one author. After the title, add the edition in the format 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on, followed by the abbreviation "ed.".

There is no need to include edition information if a book is a first edition, or if no edition is stated on or in the book.

Rule

4. Author family name initials, Author family name initials, Author family name initials, Author family name initials, Author family name initials, Author family name initials, et al. Book title: book subtitle. Numeral with letter suffix ed. City of publication (State or Country): Publisher; Year of publication.

Example

4. Colbert BJ, Ankney J, Lee KT. Anatomy, physiology & disease: an interactive journey for health professionals. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River (NJ): Pearson Education; 2013.

Follow Using Vancouver: General rules for the reference list in this style guide to format your reference list.

To cite one chapter only, see Chapter in an edited book in this style guide.

In-text citations

Cite as you would for a book with an author or authors. Instead of author names, you will use editor name(s).

• When a book has one editor, cite as you would for a book with one author.

• When a book has multiple editors, cite as you would for a book with multiple authors.

Changes to the nature of healthcare as they relate to inclusive practice are outlined by Davis et al. (5)

For more explanation, see Using Vancouver: General rules for in-text citations in this style guide.

Reference List entry

Instead of author names, you will use editor name(s) followed by a comma and the word editor or editors.

When an edited book has one editor:

Rule

5. Editor's family name initials, editor. Book title: book subtitle. City of publication (State or Country): Publisher; Year of publication.

Example

5. Frumkin H, editor. Environmental health: from global to local. 3rd ed. San Francisco (CA): Jossey-Bass; 2016.

When an edited book has six or fewer editors:

Rule

6. Editor's family name initials, Editor's family name initials, Editor's family name initials, Editor's family name initials, editors. Book title: book subtitle. City of publication (State or Country): Publisher; Year of publication.

Example

6. Davis J, Birks M, Chapman YB, editors. Inclusive practice for health professionals. South Melbourne (Australia): Oxford University Press; 2015.

When there are more than six editors, list the first six, followed by et al. then a comma and the word editors:

Rule

7. Editor's family name initials, Editor's family name initials, Editor's family name initials, Editor's family name initials, Editor's family name initials, Editor's family name initials, et al., editors. Book title: book subtitle. City of publication (State or Country): Publisher; Year of publication.

Example

7. Bast RC Jr, Croce CM, Hait WN, Hong WK, Kufe DW, Piccart-Gebhart M, et al., editors. Holland-Frei cancer medicine. 9th ed. Hoboken (NJ): Wiley; 2017.

Follow Using Vancouver: General rules for the reference list in this style guide to format your reference list.

To cite a whole edited book, see Chapter in an edited book in this style guide..

In-text citations

When paraphrasing or quoting from one chapter in an edited book, cite as you would for a book with one or more author(s):

The health of some demographic groups in Australia is far worse than the general population. (6)

According to Williams (6), The National Health Survey provides valuable insight into ...

For more explanation, see Using Vancouver: General rules for in-text citations in this style guide.

Reference List entry

Cite as you would for an edited book, preceded by these additional parts to identify the chapter and its author(s):

• author(s) of the chapter, the chapter title, followed by In:

• details of the edited book in which the chapter is found

• page numbers of the chapter.

When the chapter is in an edited ebook, add the additional elements described in Ebook from a database in this style guide.

Rule

8. Author family name initials. Chapter title. In: Editor's family name initials, editor. Book title: book subtitle. City of publication (State or Country): Publisher; Year of publication. p. first-last page.

Example

8. Renk K. Reactive attachment disorder. In: Olatunji BO, editor. The Cambridge handbook of anxiety and related disorders. Cambridge (United Kingdom): Cambridge University Press; 2019. p. 743-768.

When there are multiple chapter authors, format their names as you would for a book with multiple authors.

When there are multiple book editors, format their names as you would for a book with multiple editors.

9. Williams G. Population health and health outcomes. In: Davis J, Birks M, Chapman YB, editors. Inclusive practice for health professionals. South Melbourne (Australia): Oxford University Press; 2015. p. 128-60.

Follow Using Vancouver: General rules for the reference list in this style guide to format your reference list.

In-text citations

When paraphrasing or quoting from an e-book in a database, cite as you would for a book with one author or multiple authors.

Cortical brain blood flow in jailed violent offenders is lower than the general population. (10)

According to Wagner (10), the cortical brain blood flow in imprisoned violent lawbreakers is lower than that of the general population.

For more explanation, see Using Vancouver: General rules for in-text citations in this style guide.

Reference list

Your reference list entry will be the same as a book with one or more authors, with these three additional elements:

• After the title, add the type of medium in square brackets: [Internet]

• After year of publication, add the date you cited the book in square brackets: year, month (abbreviated to three letters), day: [cited 2012 Aug 24]

• After the cited date, type Available from: followed by the name of the library database in which you accessed the e-book. Available from: SpringerLink eBooks.

Rule

10. Author family name initials. Book title: book subtitle. [Internet]. City of publication (State or Country): Publisher; Year of publication [cited year Month day]. Available from: Database name.

10. Wagner HN. Brain imaging: the chemistry of mental activity [Internet]. London (United Kingdom): Springer; 2009 [cited 2012 Aug 24]. Available from: SpringerLink eBooks.

For an ebook chapter, format it as you would a chapter in an edited book and add the extra elements as for an ebook (described above):

Rule

11. Author family name initials. Chapter title. In: Editor's family name initials, editor. Book title: book subtitle. [Internet]. City of publication (State or Country): Publisher; Year of publication [cited year Month day]. p. first-last page. Available from: Database name.

Example

11. Hetherington K, Hamlet N. Health and homelessness. In: Bonner A, editor. Social determinants of health: an interdisciplinary approach to social inequality and well-being. [Internet]. Bristol (United Kingdom): Policy Press; 2018 [cited 2024 Jul 5]. p. 195-210. Available from: Cambridge University Press Online Books.

Follow Using Vancouver: General rules for the reference list in this style guide to format your reference list.

In-text citation: paraphrase

Paraphrasing is when you use someone else's ideas or research and express them in your own words. Acknowledge the author by inserting a number after their name (if you use it) or at the end of your sentence.

Number each source in the order in which they first appear in your text. Your in-text citation will correspond to the same number in the reference list. Use the same number whenever you cite that source.

For more explanation, see Using Vancouver: General rules for in-text citations in this style guide.

In his research, Musiek (12) found that sleep and the circadian system ...

In-text citation: direct quote

A direct quote is when you use someone else's exact words. Acknowledge the author in the same way as a paraphrase, with the addition of the page number where the author's quotation is found. Place quotation marks around the quotation to make it clear these are not your own words.

Whilst there has been widespread description of circadian rhythm abnormalities in individuals with symptoms of AD dementia, there are "discrepancies regarding rhythms in temperature and cortisol secretion." (12 p87)

For more explanation, see Using Vancouver: General rules for in-text citations in this style guide.

Reference list

Follow Using Vancouver: General rules for the reference list in this style guide to format your reference list.

When following the example below it is important to:

• Place each element in the same order as the example
• Use the same punctuation
• Do not use italics
• Use sentence case for titles: capitalise the first word and proper nouns only.
• Journals titles must be abbreviated.
• Page numbers are not repeated (that is, 17-8 not 17-18) unless followed by a letter (eg. 145A-149A).

Abbreviated journal titles

To find the correct title abbreviation, go to Journals in NCBI Databases and then enter the journal’s full title to display its abbreviation.

Rule

12. Author family name Initials. Article title: article subtitle. Abbreviated Journal Title. Year Mon;Volume number(Issue number):page range.

Example

12. Musiek ES. Circadian rhythms in AD pathogenesis: a critical appraisal. Curr Sleep Med Rep. 2017 Jun;3(2):85-92.

In-text citation: paraphrase

Paraphrasing is when you use someone else's ideas or research and express them in your own words.

When paraphrasing a journal article with multiple authors, insert the reference list number for that article as you would for a journal article with one author:

A 2013 meta-analysis of forty-four studies found the accuracy of MRI is superior to mammography. (14)

However, if you wish to include the authors' names in your sentence, use the family name of the first author only followed by et al.:

Marinovich et al. (14) conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging to detect breast cancer.

For more explanation, see Using Vancouver: General rules for in-text citations in this style guide.

Reference list

Format your reference list entry in the same way as a journal article with one author, but of course with additional authors.

When there are six or fewer authors, list all the authors.

Rule

13. Author family name Initials, Author family name Initials, Author family name Initials, Author family name Initials, Author family name Initials. Article title: article subtitle. Abbreviated Journal Title. Year Mon;Volume number(Issue number):page range.

Example

13. Koloskov V, Brink WM, Webb AG, Shchelokova A. Flexible metasurface for improving brain imaging at 7T. Magn Reson Med. 2024 Aug;92(2):869–880.

When there are more than six authors, list the first six, followed by et al.

Rule

14. Author family name Initials, Author family name Initials, Author family name Initials, Author family name Initials, Author family name Initials, Author family name Initials, et al. Article title: article subtitle. Abbreviated Journal Title. Year Mon;Volume number(Issue number):page range.

Example

14. Marinovich ML, Houssami N, Macaskill P, Sardanelli F, Irwig L, Mamounas EP, et al. Meta-analysis of magnetic resonance imaging in detecting residual breast cancer after neoadjuvant therapy. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2013 Mar 6;105(5):321-33.

Follow Using Vancouver: General rules for the reference list in this style guide to format your reference list.

In-text citations

When paraphrasing or directly quoting an online journal article, cite as you would for a journal article with one or multiple authors.

For more explanation, see Using Vancouver: General rules for in-text citations in this style guide.

Reference list

Your reference list entry will be the same as a journal article with one or more authors, with these additional elements:

• After the journal title, add the type of medium in square brackets: [Internet]

• After year and month of publication, add the date you cited the article in square brackets: year, month (abbreviated to three letters), day: [cited 2012 Aug 24]

• After the page range, type Available from: followed by the URL where you accessed the online article: Available from: URL

When a URL ends with a forward slash, end the citation with a full stop.

When a URL does not end with a forward slash, do not end the citation with a full stop.

Follow Using Vancouver: General rules for the reference list in this style guide to format your reference list.

Rule

15. Author family name Initials. Article title: article subtitle. Abbreviated Journal Title. [Internet]. Year Mon [cited 2024 Jul 5];Volume number(Issue number):page range. Available from: URL

Example

15. Martin P, Tamblyn R, Benedetti A, Ahmed S, Tannenbaum C. Effect of a pharmacist-led educational intervention on inappropriate medication prescriptions in older adults: the D-PRESCRIBE randomized clinical trial. JAMA. [Internet]. 2018 Nov [cited 2024 Jul 5];320(18):1889–98. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.16131

In-text paraphrasing

The discovery could result in an easy, affordable, effective and accessible complementary treatment for 1.2 million Australians currently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. (14)

In-text direct quote

"With 1.2 million Aussies currently living with type 2 diabetes, the breakthrough could lead to a widely-available, simple, cheap and effective complementary treatment for diabetics across the country". (14 p4)

According to Squires (14), "with 1.2 million Aussies currently living with type 2 diabetes, the breakthrough could lead to a widely-available, simple, cheap and effective complementary treatment for diabetics across the country". (p4)

Reference list

In the reference list:

• Do not italicise nor abbreviate the newspaper name. The leading "The" can be dropped, if desired.

• If the newspaper is published as a specific edition, add this detail in brackets after the Newspaper name. Do not italicise nor abbreviate edition name. Example: Sydney Morning Herald (Weekend Ed.).

• Add the word 'Internet' in square brackets after the newspaper name.

• Include the publication year and date (month and day). Abbreviate months to the first 3 letters.

• Add the date you cited the article (the cited date) in square brackets, followed by a colon.

• Add the beginning page of the article.

• When the beginning page of the article is not provided, calculate the approximate length of the article in pages, e.g. in the context of printed pages, screens or paragraphs.

• Put the length of the article in square brackets after the cited date. Add a colon between the cited date and the length of the article. Example: 2018 Apr 3 [cited 2019 Feb 22]:[about 2 p.].

• If applicable, include the Section name after the cited date, followed by a colon and the beginning page of the article. Add a semicolon between the cited date and Section name. Example: 2018 Apr 3 [cited 2019 Feb 22];Business:4.

• If the reference has a Section name and the beginning page of the article is not provided, put the length of the article in square brackets after the Section name. Add a colon between the Section name and the length of the article. Example: 2018 Apr 3 [cited 2019 Feb 22];Business:[about 2 p.].

• Add the database name the article is available from after the beginning page of the article or, if applicable, after the length of the article. The database name is mentioned last. Do not put the word 'database' unless part of the name.

14. Squires M. Vitamin C may become new diabetes treatment. The Advertiser [Internet]. 2019 Feb 11 [cited 2019 Feb 19]:4. Available from: Proquest Australia & New Zealand Newsstream.

In-text paraphrasing

For researchers of influenza, discovering a vaccine that does not need to be given each year is desirable, yet difficult to achieve. (15)

In-text direct quote

"A one-shot vaccine that does not need annual updates is the Holy Grail for influenza researchers". (15 p1)

According to Mannix (15), "a one-shot vaccine that does not need annual updates is the Holy Grail for influenza researchers". (p1)

Reference list

In the reference list:

• Do not italicise nor abbreviate the newspaper name. The leading "The" can be dropped, if desired.

• If the newspaper is published as a specific edition, add this detail in brackets after the Newspaper name. Do not italicise nor abbreviate edition name. Example: Sydney Morning Herald (Weekend Ed.).

• Add the word 'Internet' in square brackets after the newspaper name.

• Include the publication year and date (month and day). Abbreviate months to the first 3 letters.

• Add the date you cited the article (the cited date) in square brackets, followed by a colon.

• Calculate the approximate length of the article in pages, e.g. in the context of printed pages, screens or paragraphs. Put the length of the article in square brackets after the cited date.

• If the reference has a Section name, include the Section name after the cited date, followed by a colon and the length of the article in square brackets. Add a semicolon between the cited date and Section name. Example: 2018 Apr 3 [cited 2019 Feb 22];Business:[about 2 p].

• Add the URL link after the length of the article. Do not include a full stop at the end unless the URL ends with a forward slash. The URL link is mentioned last.

15. Mannix L. Universal flu vaccine a big step closer - but it will only help half of us. The Age [Internet]. 2019 Feb 19 [cited 2019 Feb 22]:[about 3 p.]. Available from: https://www.theage.com.au/healthcare/universal-flu-vaccine-a-big-step-closer-but-it-will-only-help-half-of-us-20190218-p50ykw.html

In-text paraphrasing

Rating sixth as the most common cancer killer in Australia and being one of the most dangerous of women’s cancers, ovarian cancer receives considerably less funding than other cancers of men and women. (13)

In-text direct quote

"Ovarian cancer is the most lethal women's cancer and the sixth most common cause of cancer death in Australia but funding for the deadly disease falls well below other women's and men's cancers". (13 p12)

According to Hill (13), "ovarian cancer is the most lethal women's cancer and the sixth most common cause of cancer death in Australia but funding for the deadly disease falls well below other women's and men's cancers". (p12)

Reference list

In the reference list:

• Do not italicise nor abbreviate the newspaper name. The leading "The" can be dropped, if desired.

• If the newspaper is published as a specific edition, add this detail in brackets after the Newspaper name. Do not italicise nor abbreviate edition name. Example: Sydney Morning Herald (Weekend Ed.).

• Include the publication year and date (month and day), followed by a colon. Abbreviate months to the first 3 letters.

• Add the beginning page of the article and the column number where the article begins.

• If applicable, include the Section name after the date, followed by a colon. Add the beginning page of the article and the column number where the article begins. Add a semicolon between the date and Section name. Example: 2018 Apr 3;Business:4 (col. 1).

13. Hill J. High time for an ovary-action to stop killer. Newcastle Herald. 2019 Feb 19:12 (col. 1).

In-text paraphrasing

Aged care in Australia does not effectively fulfil the needs of those who use its services. (11)

There should be more investment in vaccination programs in Australia to decrease the threat and concern of measles and other diseases. (12)

In-text direct quote

"Australia's aged-care system is revealing itself to be all too frequently woefully ineffective in meeting the needs of those who rely on its services". (11 p25)

"If we want to reduce the alarms over measles and other diseases, Australia should increase investment in vaccination programs in those countries". (12 p1)

Reference list

If no author has been identified, begin the reference with the title of the article. Do not put "anonymous".

11. Our aged-care industry is in real peril. Sunday Age. 2016 Oct 2:25 (col. 2).
    
12. NSW must not drop its guard against measles. Sydney Morning Herald [Internet]. 2019 Jan 5 [cited 2019 Feb 22]:30. Available from: Proquest Australia & New Zealand Newsstream.

General rules

In the Vancouver style, the term “illustration” applies to anything that is not written. For example:

• images (labelled as "Figures" when included in-text)

• tables

• charts

• graphs

The following are general rules for citing illustrations – whatever the type - using the Vancouver referencing style. However, the specific examples provided in this Vancouver guide are for citing images.

Using numbers

The Vancouver referencing style uses Arabic numerals, e.g. 1, 2, 3, etc., whenever a number is required. Do not use:

• Roman numerals, e.g. i, ii, iii

• words, e.g. one, two, three

In-text citations

Below the illustration you have inserted in your text, add a caption that includes:

• a label and number. The number will depend on where it appears in your text. E.g. If it is the first figure in your text, it will be labelled Figure 1.

• the description or title used in the original source

• a reference number in parentheses. This is the number that you give it according to where it appears in your text. For example, if it is the 12th source cited in your document, the reference number will be (12).

The reference list

In the reference list, include the sources of all the illustrations that you have used from another source and inserted in your text.

In general, this is the order that the references in your list will include:

• the reference number you gave a reference in-text

• the standard reference structure for the particular reference type source (e.g. a book)

• the figure number that was used in that original source

• the title of the illustration

• the page number where the illustration is located in the source (if available or applicable)

Images not numbered in the original source, e.g. image on a webpage or in a database

• If the illustration is not numbered, give it a number according to its placement on the webpage and enclose it in square brackets. For example, if it is the first illustration in the original source, give it the number 1, e.g. [Figure 1].

• If it is the only illustration given in the original source, just use [Figure].

In-text citation

If you refer to the illustration in-text, then cite it as you would any other citation, e.g.:

. . . as shown in Figure 1. (15)

Figure 1 (15) shows that . . .

Figure layout

The caption beneath the image should include:

• a label and a number. E.g. If it is the first figure in your text, it will be labelled Figure 1.

• the description used in the original source

• a reference number in parentheses. For example, if it is the 15th source cited in your document, the reference number will be (15).

Figure 1. Glenohumeral joint. (15)

Reference list

In your reference list, the entry for a book will include:

• the reference number you assigned the source of the illustration in your text

• the standard reference structure for a book

• the figure number that was used in that original source (e.g. in the book example, it was Figure 4.25).

• title of the illustration

• the page number on which the figure is located in the book

15. Gustowski S, Budner-Gentry M, Seals, R. Osteopathic techniques: the learner's guide. New York (NY):Thieme; 2017. Figure 4.25, Glenohumeral joint; p. 72.

In-text citation

If you refer to the illustration in-text, then cite it as you would any other citation, e.g.:

. . . as shown in Figure 1. (11)

Figure 1 (11) shows that . . .

Figure layout

The caption beneath the image should include:

• a label and a number. E.g. If it is the first figure in your text, it will be labelled Figure 1.

• the description used in the original source

• a reference number in parentheses. For example, if it is the 11th source cited in your document, the reference number will be (11).

Figure 1. Dose distributions for a left-breast tumor (a, b) at the level of surgical bed defined by titanium clips (arrows) and the corresponding DVH (c, d) for supine (left) and prone (right) positions. (11)

Reference list

The reference list entry includes the following:

• the reference number you assigned the source of the illustration in your text

• the standard reference structure for a journal article

• the figure number that was used in that original source (e.g. in the journal article example, it was Figure 2).

• the title of the figure

• the page number on which the figure is located in the journal article

11. Fernandez-Lizarbe E, Montero A, Polo A, Hernanz R, Moris R, Formenti S, Ramos A. Pilot study of feasibility and dosimetric comparison of prone versus supine breast radiotherapy. Clin Transl Oncol. 2013; 15:450-9. Figure 2, Dose distributions for a left-breast tumor (a, b) at the level of surgical bed defined by titanium clips (arrows) and the corresponding DVH (c,d) for supine (left) and prone (right) positions; p. 453.

In-text citation

If you refer to the illustration in-text, then cite it as you would any other citation, e.g.:

. . . as shown in Figure 2. (12)

Figure 2 (12) shows that . . .

Figure layout

The caption beneath the image should include:

• a label and a number. E.g. If it is the second figure in your text, it will be labelled Figure 2.

• the description used in the original source

• its reference number in parentheses. For example, if it is the 12th source cited in your document, the reference number will be (12).

Figure 2. Anatomy of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. (12)

Images not given a title in the original source

If an image has not been given a title or a description, e.g. a photograph, create an appropriate title and enter it in square brackets. For example, [Scar tissue on knee].

Reference list

The reference list entry includes the following:

• the reference number you assigned the illustration in your text

• the home page and the title of the particular page

• the medium, e.g. [Internet]

• date of publication: Use the date of publication or date of copyright on the web page/website. If neither can be found, use the date the web page was updated or revised.

• figure number and title given in the source

• the date that the webpage was updated and/or cited

• total number of screens (or paragraphs, lines, or bytes) of the reference. Precede the total with the word about and place it in square brackets, e.g. [about 1 screen].

• the URL, prefacing it with: "Available from: ...". NOTE: Do not end the reference with a full stop, unless the URL ends with a forward slash.

Images not numbered in the original source

If the illustration is not numbered, give it a number according to its placement on the webpage and enclose it in square brackets. For example, if it is the first illustration in the original source, give it the number 1, e.g. [Figure 1].

If it is the only illustration given in the original source, just use [Figure].

12. National Cancer Institute. Parathyroid cancer treatment (PDQ®)–patient version [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute; [Figure 1], Anatomy of the thyroid and parathyroid glands; [updated 2017 Aug 18; cited 2017 Oct 11]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: http://www.cancer.gov/types/parathyroid/patient/parathyroid-treatment-pdq

Copyright information for the Anatomy of the Thyroid image

For the National Cancer Institute © 2012 Terese Winslow LLC, U.S. Govt. has certain rights

License Granted: Terese Winslow LLC hereby grants limited, non-exclusive worldwide print and electronic rights only for use in the work specified. Terese Winslow LLC grants such rights “AS IS” without representation or warranty of any kind and shall have no liability in connection with such license.

Restrictions: Reproduction for use in any other work or derivative works is prohibited. Ownership of original artwork, copyright, and all rights not specifically transferred herein remain the exclusive property of Terese Winslow LLC. Additional license(s) are required for ancillary usage(s).

In-text citation

If you refer to the illustration in-text, then cite it as you would any other citation, e.g.:

. . . as shown in Figure 3. (16)

Figure 3 (16) shows that . . .

Figure layout

The caption beneath the image should include:

• a label and a number. E.g. If it is the third figure in your text, it will be labelled Figure 3.

• the description used in the original source

• its reference number in parentheses. For example, if it is the 16th source cited in your document, the reference number will be (16).

Figure 3. Graphic of large recurrent disc herniation shows displacement of the nuclear material through a large defect in the posterior annular fibers with effacement of the ventral thecal sac and displacement of the intrathecal nerve roots. (16)

Reference list

The reference list entry includes the following:

• the reference number you assigned the illustration in your text

• the author/contributor

• the title of the illustration

• date cited

• the figure number (if provided in the source)

• the illustration's title used in the source

• the type of medium, e.g. [Internet]

• the database's publication or copyright date

• total number of screens (or paragraphs, lines, or bytes) of the reference. Precede the total with the word about and place it in square brackets, e.g.[about 1 screen].

• the name of the Library database that provided the illustration, prefacing it with: "Available from:".

Images not numbered in the original source

If the illustration is not numbered, give it a number according to its placement on the webpage and enclose it in square brackets. For example, if it is the first illustration in the original source, give it the number 1, e.g. [Figure 1].

If it is the only illustration given in the original source, just use [Figure].

16. Ross JS. Lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. [cited 2017 Sep 05]. [Figure], Graphic of large recurrent disc herniation shows displacement of the nuclear material through a large defect in the posterior annular fibers with effacement of the ventral thecal sac and displacement of the intrathecal nerve roots. In: Imaging Reference Centre [Internet]. Amsterdam (The Netherlands): Elsevier. 2017. [about 1 screen]. Available from: https://app.imagingreferencecenter.com/.

Note: The above URL ends with a forward slash, so therefore a full stop is added after it.

In-text citation

If you refer to the illustration in-text, then cite it as you would any other citation, e.g.:

. . . as shown in Figure 4. (17)

Figure 4 (17) shows that . . .

Figure layout

The caption beneath the image should include:

• a label and a number. E.g. If it is the fourth figure in your text, it will be labelled Figure 4.

• the description or title used in the original source

• its reference number in parentheses. For example, if it is the 17th source cited in your document, the reference number will be (17).

Images not given a title in the original source

If an image has not been given a title or a description, e.g. a photograph, create an appropriate title and enter it in square brackets. For example, [Scar tissue on knee].

Figure 4. MRI. (17)

Reference list

The citation in the reference list will include the reference number you assigned the illustration in your text and:

• the author of the illustration

• the title of the illustration

• the medium, i.e. [Internet]

• the place of publication

• the publisher's name

• date of publication: Use the date of publication or date of copyright on the web page/website. If neither can be found, use the date the web page was updated or revised.

• date cited: Use the date that you cited or viewed the web page/website.

• the URL, prefacing it with: "Available from: ...". NOTE: Do not end the reference with a full stop, unless the URL ends with a forward slash.

• Creative Commons license, e.g. CC BY 2.0

17. West L. MRI [Internet]. Mountain View (CA): Flickr.com; 2012 Aug 1 [cited 2017 Oct 1]. [Figure]. Available from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/7694882446 CC BY 2.0

Copyright information for the MRI image

"MRI" by Liz West can be reused under the CC BY 2.0 license.

In-text citations

For in-text citations, cite as you would for other references:

In order to improve patient safety, Benham et al. (18) created a Web-based application for use in hospitals.

Reference List

A conference paper in the proceedings of a book is referenced in the same way as a contribution to a book. It begins with the author(s) and title of the paper, followed by a connecting phrase beginning with "In:", the book's editor(s), book title, and conference information. It ends with the publication details of the book and the relevant pagination.

18. Benham SA, Amyot D, Forster AJ, Peyton L, Shamsaei A. Goal-driven development of a patient surveillance application for improving patient safety. In: Babin G, Kropf P, Weiss M, editors. E-technologies: innovation in an open world. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference, MCETECH; 2009 May 4-6; Ottawa, Canada. Heidelberg (Germany): Springer-Verlag; 2009. p. 65-76.

You should include the use of scholarly sources in your written assessments to adhere to best academic integrity practice. Citing yourself as an authority on your own opinion should be avoided.

Note: Check first with your lecturer, or teacher, if it is permissible to cite your previously submitted work.

Remember that when submitting work, you will be asked to agree to the Assessment Declaration (opens in a new tab).

The publication Citing Medicine (opens in a new tab) on which this information is based does not provide guidelines on how to cite your own work. The following is based on how to cite dissertations and theses.

If you cite or quote your previous work, treat yourself as the author and your own previous course work as an unpublished paper.

Paraphrasing in-text

For example, if Jane Smith wanted to cite a paper she wrote at RMIT University in 2018 her in-text reference may look like this:

Studies indicate that … (24).

Smith (24) noted that …

If your original work contained citations from other sources, you would need to include those same citations in the new work as well. If Jane Smith's earlier paper had cited Presley and Johnson, for example, it may look like this:

According to Smith (24), psychologists such as Presley and Johnson (18) …

Direct quote in-text

Place direct quotes between double quotation marks " " and provide the page number from the previous work.

"Risk taking behaviours align neatly with certain personality traits or disorders". (24 p3).

Reference List

In the Reference list include:

• Student name

• Title of previous work

• Unpublished paper (in square brackets)

• City and Country (in square brackets)

• Institution name

• Year of previous work

• Total number of pages of previous work

24. Smith J. An analysis of pe

In-text citations

For in-text citations, cite as you would for a book. For example:

A new wheat type has been developed which provides for greater fibre than current types. (13)

Reference List

• Note: How to cite a webpage on a website.

Include in the reference list:

• Title of the homepage

• The medium - in square brackets, i.e. [Internet]

• Place of publication

• Publisher

• Publication date of the webpage (if provided - or date of the website. Usually this is the copyright date.)

• Title of the webpage

= Date cited (in square brackets)

• The number of pages, screens or paragraphs (in square brackets), e.g. [about 1 p.], [about 5 screens], [8 paragraphs].

• The URL (prefacing it with "Available from: ").

13. CSIRO [Internet]. Canberra (Australia): Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation; c2015-2017. Wheat a kick in the guts for fighting diseases; 2017 Dec 14 [cited 2018 Jan 15]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.csiro.au/en/News/News-releases/2017/Wheat-a-kick-in-the-guts-for-fighting-diseases?featured=F29EDEB1728C4A92B579C7A5DC28BAD5

In-text citations

For in-text citations, cite as you would for a book. For example:

Quality management relies on good communication, which is described as “the key to quality”. (14 p5)

Reference List

Include in the reference list:

• The names of the author(s) or the name of the organisation, corporation or institution

• Title of the document

• The medium - in square brackets, e.g. [Internet]

• Place of publication

• Publisher

• Publication date of the document, if provided (or date of the website. Usually this is the copyright date.)

• Date cited (in square brackets)

• The number of pages, screens or paragraphs (in square brackets), e.g. [about 1 p.], [about 5 screens], [8 paragraphs].

• The URL (prefacing it with "Available from: ").

14. Institute of Biomedical Science. Guidance on quality management in laboratories [Internet]. London (England): Institute of Biomedical Science; 2015 [updated 2015 Jun; cited 2016 Sep 1]; [8 p.]. Available from: https://www.ibms.org/resources/documents/quality-management-in-laboratories/guidance-on-quality-management-in-laboratories.pdf

AI-generated text

Using generative artificial intelligence (AI) in learning and research, including assessment tasks

The educators within your courses can tell you if you are able to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools in your assessment tasks, including how you can use the tools and what tools you can use. If you use any AI tools, you must appropriately acknowledge and reference the use of these tools and their outputs. Failure to reference the use of these tools can result in academic misconduct.

Please confirm with your course educator before using any AI tools in your assessment tasks.

Please note that the guidelines on how to reference AI tools have been updated on Monday the 26th of June 2023. This is in response to updated guidelines from the APA style manual editors, as well as the new ability to generate shareable URLs in some of the AI tools.

Overview of text-generating AI tools

Introduction to AI tools that can generate text

AI tools that generate text, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, are large language models with a conversational type of interface, where you can ask a question, receive a detailed response and follow up with additional queries.

Some generative AI tools are not connected to the internet and are trained on data sets up to a specific time point. Other generative AI tools connect to the internet and will provide URL links to information. There are some points to consider when using the text generated by these tools:

• As these tools function in a similar way to predictive text on your phone, by recognising and reproducing patterns in language, they can generate incorrect information.
• While they can produce citations and references, these are not always correct. If you are relying on the information to be accurate, you should check that the reference cited by the AI tool exists, and that the information cited is present in the original source.
• The data sets used to train these tools often include biased and inaccurate information, as access to scholarly information and valid scientific studies may be limited, and information from social media and other less reputable sources is included.

The Learning Lab Artificial Intelligence Tools module has more information on how these AI tools work, and some points to consider when using them.

Copyright and non-human authors

Current copyright law only recognises humans as authors and creators. One of the moral rights associated with copyright is the right to be acknowledged as the author of a work. From a copyright perspective an AI tool cannot be recognised as the creator of a work, however it is important to explain that an AI tool was used in the creation of the work. This has informed our referencing guidance.

General acknowledgement that AI tools have been used in the creation of a work

In some assessment tasks, you may be able to use AI tools for background research, or to generate an outline for your essay or report (as stated earlier, please follow your educator's guidance before using any AI tools).. In this case, rather than citing and referencing specific text generated by AI tools, you will need to provide a general acknowledgement within the body or methods section of your text to explain that an AI tool was used in the creation of your work. Include as much detail as possible, including how you used the AI tool, the prompt used, the date you used the tool, and the name, creator and version of the AI tool.

Example: On the 26th June 2023, I used the May 24 version of OpenAI's ChatGPT to perform background research by using the following prompt "explain the difference between deep learning and machine learning".

Referencing specific text content generated by AI tools

Each of the referencing styles used at RMIT is based on a source style manual. More information on the source style manuals used for each style can be found in Easy Cite. Currently, only the editors of the APA style manual have provided advice on referencing AI-generated content. For the other referencing styles used at RMIT, we have created interim guidelines for referencing AI-generated content that we believe are the best match within that style. These may change in the future as the source style manuals develop or update their guidelines for referencing AI-generated content.

If you are referring to content generated by AI tools within your work, we recommend that you include the shareable link to the content if available, or otherwise include this AI-generated content as an appendix or supplemental information. It is also good practice to include the question or prompt that generated the response to provide context for your readers.

Two sets of reference guidelines are provided below for each style - one is for AI tools that include shareable URLs to the outputs generated from text prompts, which enables your readers to access the outputs themselves. The other is for AI tools that do not provide shareable links, meaning that the readers of your work cannot access the same information themselves.

AI-generated images

Using generative AI in learning and research, including assessment tasks

Your course lecturer can tell you if you are able to use content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) tools in your assessment tasks, including AI-generated images. Please confirm with your course lecturer for a specific assessment task before using any AI tools.

If you are able to use AI tools in your assessment task, you need to appropriately acknowledge and reference all of the AI-generated content that you include. Failure to reference this AI-generated content can result in academic misconduct.

Please note that the information about using generative AI tools will continue to be updated - we recommend checking this guide regularly and confirming with your course lecturer if you are unsure.

Overview of images generated by AI tools

Some generative AI tools have been trained on large numbers of existing images, and these tools can create new images based on prompts from users. The images created using these tools can be downloaded, but they are not published or reproducible in the AI platform. Images generated using AI tools such as Midjourney and DALL-E 2 are the topic of much debate. Current copyright law only recognises humans as authors. One of the moral rights associated with copyright is the right to be acknowledged as the author of a work. From a copyright perspective there is currently no obligation to recognise AI as the creator of a work, however it is important to explain that AI was used in the creation of the work.

AI-generated images are an emerging technology, and there are not yet clear guidelines for how to incorporate them into existing referencing styles such as APA 7th, Chicago, etc. Our current recommendation for how to reference AI-generated images varies for each referencing style, and is included below. Additionally, we recommend that you include the question or prompt that generated the image where possible, to provide context for your readers.

Please note that our recommendations for how to reference AI-generated content may change in the future as referencing style manuals are updated.

Vancouver Interim guidelines

The RMIT Vancouver guide is based on the e-book Citing Medicine: The NLM Style Guide for Authors, Editors, and Publishers [Internet]. 2nd edition. The NLM Style Guide does not currently contain any guidelines for referencing AI-generated content, however the International Community of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) has released guidance on the use of generative AI tools in scholarly work published in medical journals. The advice is that generative AI tools should not be listed or cited as authors, and that the use of AI tools must be acknowledged.

The NLM style guide includes guidelines for referencing a number of internet source types. We have adapted these guidelines below, as we believe this is the best match for the style. Please note these are interim guidelines and these may be updated in the future when the NLM style manual editors release formal advice.

Use the name of the creator of the tool as the author. If a shareable URL to the content is available, include it in your reference list entry. If the content is not shareable, include the prompt used and the output generated in an appendix. Include the general URL for the tool and a note about the appendix in the reference list entry.

The Vancouver style uses numbered in-text citations that match the corresponding footnote or endnote entry.

Reference list entry example - shareable URL generated by the AI tool:

Rule: Reference number. Name of AI tool [Type of medium]. Creator of tool; Date of version YYYY Mon [cited YYYY Mon DD]. Available from URL

Example: 1. ChatGPT [Internet]. OpenAI; 2023 May [cited 2023 Jun 26]. Available from https://chat.openai.com/share/81f2e81f-f137-41b6-9881-39af1672ae3c

Reference list entry example - non-shareable AI-generated content:

Rule: Reference number. Name of AI tool [Type of medium]. Creator of tool; Date of version YYYY Mon [cited YYYY Mon DD]. Available from URL. Appendix.

Example: 1. Claude [Internet]. Anthropic [cited 2024 Jan 22]. Available from https://claude.ai/chats. See Appendix for text generated and prompt used.

How to reference AI-generated images in Vancouver

The RMIT Vancouver guide contains general information on using and referencing images.

How to reference images that you produce using an AI tool:

Include the image in your work with a caption that explains that the work was generated using an AI tool, and what prompt was used.

Example:

Figure 1. Image generated using Adobe Firefly from the prompt sunset over the ocean on a stormy day.

How to reference AI-generated images reproduced in a published source:

If using reproduced images, reference the published source, using a numbered in-text citation that matches the corresponding reference list entry. In a caption below the image include the same description as in the published source, as well as a reference number.

Caption

Rule: Figure number. The description of figure from the published source (reference number)

Example: Figure 1. Jason Allen’s A.I.-generated work, “Théâtre D’opéra Spatial,” took first place in the digital category at the Colorado State Fair (1)

Reference list entry:

Reference the published source according to the relevant source guidelines, and then add the figure number used in the published source (or a number according to its placement on the page in square brackets if not numbered), the title of the figure in the published source, and the page number or location where the figure is located in the published source (if applicable).

Example: 1. Roose K. An A.I.-Generated Picture Won an Art Prize. Artists Aren’t Happy. The New York Times [Internet]. 2022 Sep 2. [cited 2023 Mar 3]; [about 9 screens]. Available from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/02/technology/ai-artificial-intelligence-artists.html. [Figure 1], Jason Allen’s A.I.-generated work, “Théâtre D’opéra Spatial,” took first place in the digital category at the Colorado State Fair.