Your reference list and bibliography
How to write your reference list and bibliography in the Vancouver style
Your lecturers consider accurate and consistent referencing to be an important part of your academic work. Check your course guidelines so you know which referencing style to use.
The following examples are in two parts:
- the information you should collect about each piece of work you use
- how this information is presented when you write a full reference
If you cannot find the type of work you need to provide a reference for, please contact your librarian for more help.
In general, if no author is provided or the author is unknown, begin with the title, followed by the year.
Click on the type of work you need to provide a reference for. If you cannot find the type of work you need, please contact your librarian for more help.
Example:
Petrie KJ, Mueller JT, Schirmbeck F, Donkin L, Broadbent E, Ellis CJ, et al. Effect of providing information about normal test results on patients' reassurance: randomised controlled trial. British Medical Journal 2007;334(7589): 352-354. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39093.464190.55
Frequently cited references
Journal article: online / electronic
Journal article: postprint / in press
Journal article: preprint
Book: chapter in an edited book
Book: online / electronic
Book: print
Report
Web page / website
A
Acts of Parliament
Annual report: online
Annual report: print
B
Blog post
Book: accessed on an e-book reader
Book: chapter in an edited book
Book: in a foreign language
Book: online / electronic
Book: print
Book: translated
Brochure / pamphlet / booklet
C
CD-ROM
Command papers and other official publications [excluding Acts of Parliament]
Computer program, software or code
Conference proceeding: individual paper
Conference proceeding: whole
D
Datasets
For the recommended format for data citation, please refer to this page:
Discussion list / forum post
DVD
E
Email: personal communication
Email: public communication
Use the discussion list / forum post layout for emails which are publicly available, that is posted to a discussion list, group or forum.
Equation
You should provide a reference to the work in which you found the equation. Use the examples in this list to identify the appropriate layout depending on the type of work you need to reference. Your in-text citation should include the page number on which the equation appears (unless in an online publication without page numbers).
Equipment operating manual
F
Film
Financial data from an online database (for share price or financial instrument figures)
Financial report from an online database (for company financial accounts, e.g. profit and loss account)
Foreign language sources
Journal article in a foreign language
Latin alphabet languages
Author
Title of journal article
[Title in original language]
Title of journal (this should be in italics)
[Title in original language] (this should be in italics)
Year of publication
Volume number
(Issue number)
Page numbers of the article
Aguiar R, Mora D, and Rodríguez M. Analysis of structure with dissipator spectra under design and control. [Análisis de una estructura con disipadores sometidos a espectros de diseño y de control]. International Journal of Numerical Methods for Calculation and Design in Engineering [Revista Internacional de Métodos Numéricos para Cálculo y Diseño en Ingeniería] 2017; 33(3-4): 171-178.
Non-Latin alphabet languages
Author
Title of journal article
[Title in original language]
Title of journal (this should be in italics)
[Title in original language] (this should be in italics)
Year of publication
Volume number
Issue number
Page numbers of the article
Xiang Y, Guo Z, Baoshan D, Jiwei H. 员翔, 等, 不锈钢方矩管压弯构件平面内稳定承载力理 论研究 Buxiugang fangjuguan yawan goujian pingmiannei wending chengzaili lilun yanjiu [Theoretical research on in-plane stability capacity of RHS stainless steel beam-columns]. 工业建筑Gongye jianzhu [Industrial Construction] 2015; 3: 150-55.
Translated work – Latin alphabet languages
Author
Title of journal article
[Title in original language]
Trans. Followed by the name of the translator
Title of journal (this should be in italics)
[Title in original language] (this should be in italics)
Year of publication
Volume number
Issue number
Page numbers of the article (do not use ‘p'. before the page numbers)
Aguiar R, Mora D, and Rodríguez M. Analysis of structure with dissipator spectra under design and control. [Análisis de una estructura con disipadores sometidos a espectros de diseño y de control]. Trans. Buchanan, C. International Journal of Numerical Methods for Calculation and Design in Engineering [Revista Internacional de Métodos Numéricos para Cálculo y Diseño en Ingeniería] 2017; 33(3-4): 171-178.
Translated work – Non-Latin alphabet languages
Author
Title of journal article
[Title in original language]
Trans. Followed by the name of the translator
Title of journal (this should be in italics)
[Title in original language] (this should be in italics)
Year of publication
Volume number
Issue number
Page numbers of the article (do not use ‘p'. before the page numbers)
Xiang Y, Guo Z, Baoshan D, Jiwei H. 员翔, 等, 不锈钢方矩管压弯构件平面内稳定承载力理 论研究 Buxiugang fangjuguan yawan goujian pingmiannei wending chengzaili lilun yanjiu [Theoretical research on in-plane stability capacity of RHS stainless steel beam-columns]. Trans. Buchanan, C. 工业建筑Gongye jianzhu [Industrial Construction] 2015; 3: 150-55.
G
Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT
Please refer to Imperial Generative AI tools guidance as well as your tutor(s) for guidance on using generative AI tools for assessed work. You must provide clear and accurate information for any sources you use in your work.
Depending on the generative AI tool you use, the content may be nonrecoverable when it cannot be retrieved or linked to. Note: as of June 2023, you can generate a shareable link to a ChatGPT conversation and we recommend you do so for use in references.
You should also acknowledge your use of generative AI tools for all assessed work. Follow the guidance provided on the library’s Generative AI guidance page.
Information about using and referencing ChatGPT and other generative AI tools in assignments will continue be updated. Check this section regularly for any changes in our advice. (Last update: 29 Nov 2023)
Example 1: You have generated a shareable link
Reference list:
Author (use the name of the generative AI software)
Title (this should be in italics)
URL
(Accessed: date).
OpenAI ChatGPT. What are some examples of decolonising the curriculum in STEM subjects in higher education? Available at: https://chat.openai.com/share/00422613-c808-418d-b174-58b14ce1433c (Accessed: 8 June 2023).
In-text citation:
Each piece of work cited in your text should have a unique number, assigned in the order of citation. If, in your text, you cite a piece of work more than once, the same citation number should be used. You can write the number in brackets or as superscript.
Example 2: There is no shareable link
Reference list:
Author
Receiver of communication
Date when the information was provided
Google Agent Assist. Agent Assist response to Hua Li. 2nd May 2023.
In-text citation:
Each piece of work cited in your text should have a unique number, assigned in the order of citation. If, in your text, you cite a piece of work more than once, the same citation number should be used. You can write the number in brackets or as superscript.
GIS software or data
For more examples please see the guide produced by Edina.
Name of development team.
Name of software (this should be in italics.)
Version (if not 1.)
Year of Release.
URL
[Date of access]
QGIS Development Team. QGIS Geographic Information System. Version 3.10.0. https://www.qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html [Accessed 6th December 2019]
I
Image / illustration / figure / diagram / table / photograph published in a book
Image / illustration / figure / diagram / table / photograph published in a journal
Image / illustration / figure / diagram / table / photograph published using software such as BioRender
You should provide an in-text citation for any images, illustrations, photographs, diagrams, tables or figures that you reproduce in your work, and provide a full reference as with any other type of work.
Citations for figures adapted from BioRender templates with modifications to original content and/or design:
Reference:
BioRender.com. FullTemplateName. Date. URL [Date of access]
BioRender.com. Coronavirus Replication Cycle. 2020. https://app.biorender.com/biorender-templates [Accessed 27th August 2020]
Image citation:
Adapted from ‘FullTemplateName’ (1)
Adapted from ‘Coronavirus Replication Cycle’ (1)
Citations for reusing BioRender templates without any content or design modifications:
Reference:
BioRender.com. FullTemplateName. Date. URL [Date of access]
BioRender.com. Coronavirus Replication Cycle. 2020. https://app.biorender.com/biorender-templates [Accessed 27th August 2020]
Image citation:
‘FullTemplateName’ (1)
‘Coronavirus Replication Cycle’ (1)
Images from the internet
Photographer/ artist if known. From: author/editor of website (use the corporate author if no individual author or editor is named)
Title (this should be in italics.)
URL
[Date of access]
Sork V. From: Kinver N. Genetics can play a key role in saving trees. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50673661 [Accessed 6th December 2019]
Account name or Instagram handle.
Photo title or description. [in italics]
Date of post [cited year month day.]
URL
[Date of access]
Los Angeles Public Library. Los Angeles, you are so beautiful. [cited 2019 December 5.] https://www.instagram.com/p/B5rdY4Qp5fD/ [Accessed 5th December 2019]
Interview: personal
J
Journal article: online / electronic
Journal article: postprint / in press
Journal article: preprint
Journal article: print
L
Lecture / presentation
M
Map: online
Online maps may originate from an online map service, such as Google Maps, or from Digimap, the online Ordnance survey mapping tool.
Map author or originator (online maps may not have an author, but you can use the map publisher’s name as a corporate author)
Title of map
Sheet number, or tile (if available)
Scale (if available)
Title of online source (in italics)
URL
[Date of access]
Streetmap.Imperial College London and surrounding area. Streetmap. http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=526500&y=179400&z=0&sv=526500,179400&st=OSGrid&lu=N&tl=~&ar=y&bi=~&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf [Accessed 23rd July 2010].
or
Tele Atlas. Imperial College London and surrounding area. Google Maps. http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=south+kensington&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=18.304449,39.506836&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=South+Kensington,+Greater+London,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.494423,-0.177155&spn=0.009392,0.01929&z=16 [Accessed 23rd July 2010].
Note: Google Maps use data produced by Tele Atlas. If you reproduce any map in your work, you must label and cite it as you would with any other type of image [link to image].
If you have used Digimap, or another mapping tool, to generate a map, and then add/subtract data layers, you must still provide information about where the original map data is from.
Map: print
Market survey report: online / electronic
Market survey report: print
Mobile app
Author (use the corporate author, individual or developer)
Title of the App (this should be in italics)
(Version number)
[Mobile app]
Year of publication
Name of app store or URL (if required)
[Date accessed]
Citymapper Ltd. Citymapper (version 6.11) [Mobile App] 2016 [Accessed 25th August 2016]
It may be useful to give the full url from the app store e.g. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.citymapper.app.release&hl=en_GB or https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/citymapper-transport-app-live/id469463298?mt=8
N
Newspaper article: online
Newspaper article: print
NICE Guidelines
If you are referencing the paper version follow the guidance for a book reference or if you are referencing the online version it is recommended to follow the advice for referencing a website. Please check your student handbook or assignment guidance for any variations.
• Author/corporate author (Use the full name of NICE at the time of publication e.g. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE))
• Title [No. of guideline if available] (this should be in italics)
• Date of publication
• URL (if available)
• [Date of access]
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Tuberculosis: NICE Guideline [NG33]. 2016. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng33/resources/ tuberculosis-1837390683589 [Accessed 27th May 2017].
O
Online documents and publications (not covered by other examples in this list)
P
Patent
Patient information leaflets
Printed:
Organisation/author.
Title of fact sheet.
Place of publication:
Publisher;
Publication Number.
Year of publication.
Boots Pharmaceuticals. Decongestant tablet (Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride). Nottingham: The Boots Company PLC; 00014/0375. 2014.
Online/electronic:
Title of fact sheet (this should be in italics.)
Place of publication:
Publisher;
Publication Number.
Year of publication.
URL
[Date of access.]
Boots Pharmaceuticals. Decongestant tablet (Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride). Nottingham: The Boots Company PLC, 00014/0375. 2014. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.8292.pdf [Accessed: 10th December 2019.]
Personal communication
Photograph: online (not in a published work)
Podcast
R
Radio programme / broadcast
Report
S
Standard
Statutory Instrument
T
Television programme / broadcast
Television programme / broadcast: online
Thesis (final written work by PhD postgraduate students, dissertations, project reports, discourses and essays by any student)
Tweet
Author’s name or Twitter pseudonym.
Entire tweet or first few words.
Date of post [cited year month day.]
URL
[Date of access]
@rugbyworldcup. A beluga whale playing rugby. [cited 2019 November 8.] https://twitter.com/rugbyworldcup/status/1192808927290953729?s=20 [Accessed 5 December 2019]
V
Video
Video: YouTube
W
Web page / website
Y
Yourself
Self-plagiarism involves re-using your own previously written work or data in a new assignment and not referencing it. You must always reference your sources, even if you are referencing your own work.