Citation

Vancouver Citation Style (ICMJE) – A Comprehensive Guide

Overview of the Vancouver Citation Style

The Vancouver Citation Style is a widely used referencing format developed by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). It is specifically designed for medical, healthcare, and scientific research publications to ensure clarity, accuracy, and uniformity in citations and references.

1.1. Key Features of Vancouver Style

Numbered Citation System: References are cited in numerical order within the text using superscript numbers (¹) or brackets [1], corresponding to a numbered reference list at the end of the document.
Order of Appearance: References are listed in the order they appear in the text, not alphabetically.
Author Name Format: Authors' names appear as Last Name First, Followed by Initials, without commas or full stops.
Minimal Punctuation: Unlike some citation styles, Vancouver minimizes punctuation, enhancing readability and saving space in journal articles.

1.2. Commonly Used By

The Vancouver Style is the standard referencing format for medical and healthcare research publications. It is widely used by:

Medical and Clinical Research Journals (e.g., The Lancet, BMJ, New England Journal of Medicine).
Healthcare and Public Health Journals (e.g., American Journal of Public Health, Journal of Telemedicine and e-Health).
Biomedical Databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library, which require structured citations in Vancouver format.
Universities and Medical Institutions, where students and researchers must adhere to Vancouver style when submitting theses, dissertations, and research papers.

How to Cite Using Vancouver Style

2.1. In-Text Citations

In-text citations in Vancouver Style use numbers that correspond to the reference list. These numbers can be written as:

Superscripts (preferred by many medical journals)

Example: The prevalence of diabetes has increased in recent years¹.

Bracketed Numbers (preferred in some disciplines)

Example: The study found significant results [2].

Citing Multiple Sources

Example: Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of telemedicine in chronic disease management¹,³,⁵.

Citing a Specific Page (Common for Direct Quotes)

Example: “Telemedicine has transformed rural healthcare delivery”²(p.45).

2.2. Reference List Format

The reference list should be numbered in the order of appearance in the text. Below are the general formatting rules for different types of sources.

2.2.1. Journal Articles

Format:
Author(s). Title of article. Journal Name. Year;Volume(Issue):Page Numbers. DOI (if available).

Example:

Smith J, Doe A. Telemedicine in rural healthcare: A systematic review. J Digital Health. 2023;12(3):45-56. doi:10.xxxx/jdh.2023.0123.

2.2.2. Books

Format:
Author(s). Title. Edition (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher; Year.

Example:
2. Brown P. Clinical Medicine: Advances and Challenges. 3rd ed. New York: MedPress; 2022.

2.2.3. Book Chapters

Format:
Author(s) of chapter. Title of chapter. In: Editor(s), editors. Book Title. Edition (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher; Year. p. [page range].

Example:
3. Khan T. Artificial intelligence in radiology. In: Smith J, editor. Innovations in Medical Imaging. 2nd ed. London: Academic Press; 2021. p. 55-78.

2.2.4. Websites

Format:
Author(s) or Organization Name. Title of the webpage/document. Name of Website. Year [updated YYYY Mon DD; cited YYYY Mon DD]. Available from: URL

Example:
4. World Health Organization. Global strategy on digital health 2020-2025. WHO. 2020 [updated 2021 Mar 15; cited 2023 Jul 10]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240020924.

2.2.5. Conference Proceedings

Format:
Author(s). Title of paper. In: Editor(s), editors. Title of the conference proceedings; Date of conference; Location. Place of publication: Publisher; Year. p. [page range].

Example:
5. Patel R, Lee W. Advances in AI-driven diagnostics. In: Proceedings of the International Medical Informatics Conference; 2022 Oct 12-14; Geneva, Switzerland. New York: Springer; 2023. p. 89-102.

2.2.6. Theses and Dissertations

Format:
Author. Title of thesis [type of thesis/dissertation]. Place of Institution: Institution Name; Year.

Example:
6. Njeri K. Mobile health applications for maternal care in Kenya [dissertation]. Nairobi: University of Nairobi; 2022.

2.2.7. Government and Institutional Reports

Format:
Author(s) or Organization Name. Title of Report. Report Number (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher; Year.

Example:
7. Ministry of Health, Kenya. National guidelines for telemedicine implementation. Nairobi: Government of Kenya; 2023.

Practical Scenarios and Use Cases

3.1. Scenario 1: Writing a Medical Research Paper

A researcher conducting a systematic review on the effectiveness of AI in radiology must reference multiple journal articles, books, and online resources. Using Vancouver style ensures a consistent format that is widely accepted by medical journals.

3.2. Scenario 2: Clinical Guidelines Development

Medical professionals drafting clinical practice guidelines often rely on evidence from multiple peer-reviewed studies. Vancouver style helps ensure proper attribution and a clear, numbered reference structure.

3.3. Scenario 3: Student Submitting a Dissertation

A medical student at the University of Nairobi is required to submit a thesis on the impact of telemedicine in rural Kenya. Using Vancouver style ensures that all journal articles, government reports, and clinical studies are cited accurately.

Online Tools and Resources for Vancouver Referencing

4.1. Citation Management Software

EndNote – https://www.endnote.com/
Zotero – https://www.zotero.org/
Mendeley – https://www.mendeley.com/

4.2. Online Citation Generators

Cite This For Me – https://www.citethisforme.com/
MyBib – https://www.mybib.com/

4.3. Official Vancouver Style Guide

ICMJE Guidelines – https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/
National Library of Medicine (NLM) Citation Guide – https://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/uniform_requirements.html

Conclusion

The Vancouver Citation Style is a crucial referencing format for medical, clinical, and healthcare research. It provides clarity, consistency, and credibility in academic writing. By following this structured approach to citations, researchers, clinicians, and students can ensure accuracy in referencing while enhancing the readability and professionalism of their work.

For further assistance, explore online citation tools, refer to official style guides, or consult university writing centers.

AMA (American Medical Association) Citation Style – A Comprehensive Guide

Overview of the AMA Citation Style

The American Medical Association (AMA) citation style is a widely used referencing format in medical, healthcare, public health, and biomedical sciences. It is designed to provide a clear, concise, and standardized way of citing sources in scholarly publications. The AMA style follows a numeric citation system, meaning sources are referenced in order of appearance rather than alphabetically.

1.1. Key Features of AMA Style

Numbered Citation System: Citations are assigned superscript numbers that correspond to a numbered reference list at the end of the document.
Sequential Ordering: Sources are cited in the order they appear in the text, rather than being listed alphabetically.
Minimal Punctuation: Unlike styles such as APA or Chicago, AMA minimizes punctuation to maintain brevity and readability.
Standard Abbreviations: Journals must be abbreviated according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) guidelines.

1.2. Commonly Used By

The AMA Citation Style is predominantly used in:

Medical and Clinical Research Journals (The Journal of the American Medical Association – JAMA, New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine).
Public Health and Healthcare Journals (American Journal of Public Health, Journal of Health Economics).
Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Research Publications.
Medical Schools and Research Institutions for dissertations, clinical guidelines, and reports.

How to Cite Using AMA Style

2.1. In-Text Citations

In AMA style, sources are cited using superscript numbers that correspond to a reference list.

Basic Citation Format

Example: The study showed a 20% increase in cases¹.

Citing Multiple Sources

Example: Recent advancements in AI-driven diagnostics have improved patient outcomes¹,²,³.

Citing a Specific Page (Common for Direct Quotes)

Example: “Telemedicine is a transformative approach to healthcare delivery”¹(p45).

Citing the Same Source Multiple Times

The same number is used every time the reference appears in the text.

2.2. Reference List Format

The reference list in AMA style is:

Numbered in order of appearance in the text.
Single-spaced, with a space between each reference.
Formatted with journal names abbreviated according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) guidelines.

2.2.1. Journal Articles

Format:
Author(s). Title of article. Journal Name. Year;Volume(Issue):Page Numbers.

Example:

Doe J, Smith A. Advances in AI-driven healthcare. J Med Sci. 2023;55(2):123-129.

2.2.2. Books

Format:
Author(s). Book Title. Edition (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher; Year.

Example:
2. Brown P. Clinical Medicine: Advances and Challenges. 3rd ed. New York, NY: MedPress; 2022.

2.2.3. Book Chapters

Format:
Author(s). Chapter title. In: Editor(s), ed(s). Book Title. Edition (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher; Year:Page Numbers.

Example:
3. Khan T. AI in radiology. In: Smith J, ed. Innovations in Medical Imaging. 2nd ed. London, UK: Academic Press; 2021:55-78.

2.2.4. Websites

Format:
Author(s) or Organization Name. Title of webpage/document. Website Name. Published [or Updated] Date. Accessed Date. URL.

Example:
4. World Health Organization. Global strategy on digital health 2020-2025. WHO. Published March 2020. Accessed July 10, 2023. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240020924.

2.2.5. Conference Proceedings

Format:
Author(s). Title of paper. In: Editor(s), ed(s). Title of the Conference; Date of Conference; Location. Place of publication: Publisher; Year:Page Numbers.

Example:
5. Patel R, Lee W. Advances in AI diagnostics. In: Proceedings of the International Medical Informatics Conference; October 12-14, 2022; Geneva, Switzerland. New York, NY: Springer; 2023:89-102.

2.2.6. Theses and Dissertations

Format:
Author. Title of thesis [type of thesis]. Place of Institution: Institution Name; Year.

Example:
6. Njeri K. Mobile health applications for maternal care in Kenya [dissertation]. Nairobi, Kenya: University of Nairobi; 2022.

2.2.7. Government and Institutional Reports

Format:
Author(s) or Organization Name. Title of Report. Report Number (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher; Year.

Example:
7. Ministry of Health, Kenya. National guidelines for telemedicine implementation. Nairobi, Kenya: Government of Kenya; 2023.

Practical Scenarios and Use Cases

3.1. Scenario 1: Writing a Clinical Research Paper

A researcher investigating the impact of AI in patient diagnostics submits an article to The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). They use AMA citation style to reference peer-reviewed journal articles and clinical trial data, ensuring compliance with JAMA’s author guidelines.

3.2. Scenario 2: Medical Student Submitting a Dissertation

A medical student at Johns Hopkins University writing a dissertation on telehealth adoption follows AMA citation style to properly cite books, journal articles, and government reports.

3.3. Scenario 3: Writing Public Health Guidelines

The Kenya Ministry of Health compiles guidelines on digital health strategies. The document references WHO reports, previous studies, and health policy documents using AMA style, ensuring a professional and standardized format.

Online Tools and Resources for AMA Referencing

4.1. Citation Management Software

EndNote – https://www.endnote.com/
Zotero – https://www.zotero.org/
Mendeley – https://www.mendeley.com/

4.2. Online Citation Generators

Cite This For Me – https://www.citethisforme.com/
MyBib – https://www.mybib.com/

4.3. Official AMA Style Guide

AMA Manual of Style – https://www.amamanualofstyle.com/
National Library of Medicine (NLM) Abbreviations – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog/journals

Conclusion

The AMA Citation Style is an essential referencing format for medical, public health, and biomedical research. It ensures clarity, consistency, and credibility in scholarly writing. By following AMA’s structured approach to citations, researchers, clinicians, and students can enhance the readability and professionalism of their work.

For further assistance, explore online citation tools, refer to official style guides, or consult university writing centers.

APA (American Psychological Association) Citation Style (7th Edition) – A Comprehensive Guide

Overview of the APA Citation Style

The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is widely used in public health, psychology, nursing, healthcare management, and the social sciences. The 7th edition of the APA Manual introduced clearer formatting rules, inclusive language guidelines, and new citation formats for digital sources.

1.1. Key Features of APA Style

Author-Date Citation System: In-text citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses.
Alphabetical Reference List: Sources are arranged alphabetically by the first author's last name.
DOI and URLs for Online Sources: Digital sources must include DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) or URLs when available.
Title Capitalization Rules:

Books & Reports – Title in sentence case, italicized (e.g., Clinical Medicine in Africa).
Journal Articles – Title in sentence case (e.g., Telemedicine and healthcare access).

1.2. Commonly Used By

The APA Citation Style (7th Edition) is commonly used in:

Public Health Journals (American Journal of Public Health, Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health).
Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Journals (Journal of Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology).
Nursing and Healthcare Management Publications (Journal of Nursing Research, Healthcare Management Review).
Medical Social Sciences and Global Health Reports.

How to Cite Using APA (7th Edition) Style

2.1. In-Text Citations

In APA style, in-text citations include the author's last name and year of publication in parentheses.

Basic Citation Format

Example: Telehealth adoption has increased (Smith & Doe, 2023).

Narrative Citation (Author’s Name in the Sentence)

Example: Smith and Doe (2023) found that telehealth adoption increased during the pandemic.

Citing Multiple Sources

Example: Several studies support AI-driven diagnostics (Patel, 2022; Brown et al., 2021).

Citing a Direct Quote (Includes Page Number)

Example: “Artificial intelligence will revolutionize healthcare” (Smith, 2023, p. 45).

Citing Works with Three or More Authors

Example: AI has been widely implemented in radiology (Williams et al., 2023).

2.2. Reference List Format

The reference list in APA style is:

Alphabetized by the last name of the first author.
Double-spaced, with a hanging indent (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented).
Uses italics for book and journal titles.

2.2.1. Journal Articles

Format:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of the article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page Numbers. DOI

Example:
Smith, J., & Doe, A. (2023). Telemedicine and healthcare access. Journal of Digital Health, 12(3), 45-56. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jdh.2023.0123.

2.2.2. Books

Format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the book (Edition, if applicable). Publisher.

Example:
Brown, P. (2022). Clinical medicine: Advances and challenges (3rd ed.). MedPress.

2.2.3. Book Chapters

Format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the chapter. In B. B. Editor (Ed.), Title of the book (pp. xx-xx). Publisher.

Example:
Khan, T. (2021). AI in radiology. In J. Smith (Ed.), Innovations in medical imaging (pp. 55-78). Academic Press.

2.2.4. Websites

Format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of webpage/document. Website Name. URL

Example:
World Health Organization. (2020). Global strategy on digital health 2020-2025. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240020924.

2.2.5. Conference Proceedings

Format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of paper. In B. B. Editor (Ed.), Title of the conference proceedings (pp. xx-xx). Publisher.

Example:
Patel, R., & Lee, W. (2022). Advances in AI-driven diagnostics. In Proceedings of the International Medical Informatics Conference (pp. 89-102). Springer.

2.2.6. Theses and Dissertations

Format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of thesis [Type of thesis, Institution Name]. Database or URL (if available).

Example:
Njeri, K. (2022). Mobile health applications for maternal care in Kenya [Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi].

2.2.7. Government and Institutional Reports

Format:
Organization Name. (Year). Title of report (Report Number, if applicable). Publisher or URL.

Example:
Ministry of Health, Kenya. (2023). National guidelines for telemedicine implementation. Nairobi: Government of Kenya.

Practical Scenarios and Use Cases

3.1. Scenario 1: Writing a Public Health Research Paper

A public health researcher studying vaccine hesitancy in rural Kenya submits a paper to the American Journal of Public Health. They follow APA style to reference peer-reviewed articles, government reports, and survey studies, ensuring proper citation and credibility.

3.2. Scenario 2: Nursing Student Submitting a Thesis

A nursing student at Harvard University submits a dissertation on telemedicine in post-surgical care. Using APA, they cite nursing textbooks, case studies, and WHO guidelines, maintaining an organized, professional reference list.

3.3. Scenario 3: Writing a Healthcare Management Report

A hospital administrator compiling a report on AI integration in hospital workflows follows APA guidelines, referencing journal articles, books, and industry reports, ensuring the document meets academic and professional standards.

Online Tools and Resources for APA Referencing

4.1. Citation Management Software

EndNote – https://www.endnote.com/
Zotero – https://www.zotero.org/
Mendeley – https://www.mendeley.com/

4.2. Online Citation Generators

Cite This For Me – https://www.citethisforme.com/
MyBib – https://www.mybib.com/

4.3. Official APA Style Guide

APA Manual 7th Edition – https://apastyle.apa.org/
Purdue OWL APA Guide – https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide.html

Conclusion

The APA Citation Style (7th Edition) is essential for public health, psychology, nursing, and healthcare management research. It provides clarity, consistency, and credibility in scholarly writing. By following APA's structured approach, researchers, clinicians, and students can ensure professional and accurate citation practices in their work.

For further assistance, explore online citation tools, refer to official APA guides, or consult university writing centers.

Harvard Citation Style – A Comprehensive Guide

Overview of the Harvard Citation Style

The Harvard citation style is a widely used referencing format in medical, healthcare, nursing, and social sciences research. It follows an author-date system, meaning that in-text citations include the author’s last name and year of publication, with a corresponding reference list arranged alphabetically.

The Harvard style provides clarity and readability, making it a preferred choice for academic writing, particularly in medical case studies, healthcare reports, and nursing research papers.

1.1. Key Features of Harvard Style

Author-Date Citation System: In-text citations include the author’s last name and year of publication in parentheses.
Alphabetical Reference List: Sources are listed in alphabetical order by the first author's last name.
Edition and Publisher Details: Books must include edition details (if applicable) and publisher information.
Use of Italics:

Book and journal titles are italicized.
Article and chapter titles are in normal text, enclosed in single quotation marks.

No Commas Between Author Name and Year: Unlike APA, Harvard style does not use a comma between the author's last name and the year in in-text citations.

1.2. Commonly Used By

The Harvard Citation Style is widely used in:

Medical Journals (The British Medical Journal, The Lancet, Journal of Advanced Nursing).
Healthcare and Public Health Research Papers (International Journal of Public Health, Global Health Action).
Nursing and Allied Health Journals (Journal of Nursing Management, Nursing Research).
University Theses and Dissertations in medical and health sciences.

How to Cite Using Harvard Style

2.1. In-Text Citations

In Harvard style, in-text citations include the author's last name and year of publication in parentheses.

Basic Citation Format

Example: The role of AI in healthcare is expanding (Brown 2022).

Narrative Citation (Author’s Name in the Sentence)

Example: Brown (2022) found that AI is transforming patient care.

Citing Multiple Sources

Example: Studies show that AI has improved diagnostics (Patel 2022; Smith & Doe 2021).

Citing a Direct Quote (Includes Page Number)

Example: “Artificial intelligence has enhanced medical diagnostics significantly” (Brown 2022, p. 78).

Citing Multiple Authors

Two authors: (Smith & Doe 2021).
Three or more authors: (Williams et al. 2023).

2.2. Reference List Format

The reference list in Harvard style is:

Arranged alphabetically by the last name of the first author.
Formatted with hanging indents (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented).
Uses italics for books and journal titles.

2.2.1. Books

Format:
Author(s) (Year) *Title*. Edition (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher.

Example:
Brown, P. (2022) Clinical medicine: Advances and challenges. 3rd edn. New York: MedPress.

2.2.2. Journal Articles

Format:
Author(s) (Year) 'Title of article', *Journal Name*, Volume(Issue), Page Numbers. DOI (if available).

Example:
Smith, J. & Doe, A. (2023) 'Telemedicine and healthcare access', Journal of Digital Health, 12(3), pp. 45-56. Available at: https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jdh.2023.0123.

2.2.3. Book Chapters

Format:
Author(s) (Year) 'Title of chapter', in Editor(s) (ed(s)) *Book Title*. Edition (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher, pp. Page Numbers.

Example:
Khan, T. (2021) 'AI in radiology', in Smith, J. (ed.) Innovations in medical imaging. 2nd edn. London: Academic Press, pp. 55-78.

2.2.4. Websites

Format:
Author(s) or Organization Name (Year) *Title of webpage/document*. Available at: URL (Accessed: Date).

Example:
World Health Organization (2020) Global strategy on digital health 2020-2025. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240020924 (Accessed: 10 July 2023).

2.2.5. Conference Proceedings

Format:
Author(s) (Year) 'Title of paper', in Editor(s) (ed(s)) *Title of the conference proceedings*. Place of publication: Publisher, pp. Page Numbers.

Example:
Patel, R. & Lee, W. (2022) 'Advances in AI-driven diagnostics', in Proceedings of the International Medical Informatics Conference. New York: Springer, pp. 89-102.

2.2.6. Theses and Dissertations

Format:
Author (Year) *Title of thesis* [Type of thesis]. Institution Name.

Example:
Njeri, K. (2022) Mobile health applications for maternal care in Kenya [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Nairobi.

2.2.7. Government and Institutional Reports

Format:
Organization Name (Year) *Title of report*. Report Number (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher.

Example:
Ministry of Health, Kenya (2023) National guidelines for telemedicine implementation. Nairobi: Government of Kenya.

Practical Scenarios and Use Cases

3.1. Scenario 1: Writing a Medical Case Study

A medical student at the University of Oxford is writing a case study on the impact of AI in emergency care. Using Harvard style, they cite books, journal articles, and clinical guidelines in a structured and professional format.

3.2. Scenario 2: Writing a Public Health Research Paper

A public health researcher studying vaccine hesitancy submits a paper to The British Medical Journal. They follow Harvard style to reference peer-reviewed studies, WHO reports, and survey research.

3.3. Scenario 3: Nursing Student Submitting a Dissertation

A nursing student at Harvard University writes a dissertation on post-operative telehealth care. They cite nursing textbooks, patient case studies, and government reports using Harvard’s structured referencing style.

Online Tools and Resources for Harvard Referencing

4.1. Citation Management Software

EndNote – https://www.endnote.com/
Zotero – https://www.zotero.org/
Mendeley – https://www.mendeley.com/

4.2. Online Citation Generators

Cite This For Me – https://www.citethisforme.com/
MyBib – https://www.mybib.com/

4.3. Harvard Referencing Guide

Harvard Referencing Guide (Anglia Ruskin University) – https://library.aru.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm
Purdue OWL Harvard Guide – https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/using_research/citation_style_chart.html

Conclusion

The Harvard Citation Style is essential for medical, healthcare, and nursing research. It provides clarity, consistency, and credibility in academic writing. By following Harvard’s structured citation system, researchers, clinicians, and students can ensure professional and accurate referencing in their work.

For further assistance, explore online citation tools, refer to official Harvard guides, or consult university writing centers.

Chicago Citation Style – A Comprehensive Guide

Overview of the Chicago Citation Style

The Chicago citation style, developed by the University of Chicago Press, is widely used in historical, ethical, and humanities-based medical research. It offers two distinct formats for citation:

Author-Date System – Used primarily in the sciences and social sciences, where citations appear in the text in parentheses (Author Year, Page) with a corresponding reference list.
Notes and Bibliography System – Used primarily in history, literature, and the humanities, where citations appear as footnotes or endnotes with a corresponding bibliography.

Chicago style provides flexibility, making it ideal for research in the history of medicine, healthcare ethics, and medical humanities, where a combination of primary and secondary sources is common.

1.1. Key Features of Chicago Style

Two Citation Formats:

Author-Date System: Uses parenthetical citations with an alphabetical reference list.
Notes and Bibliography System: Uses footnotes or endnotes for citations, with a bibliography listing all sources.

Detailed Source Information: Chicago style requires comprehensive publication details, including city of publication, publisher name, and full page numbers.
Use of Italics and Quotation Marks:

Book and journal titles are italicized.
Article and chapter titles are placed in quotation marks.

Common in Historical and Ethical Research: Used for referencing archival materials, government documents, and primary historical sources.

1.2. Commonly Used By

The Chicago Citation Style is commonly used in:

History of Medicine Journals (Bulletin of the History of Medicine, Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences).
Healthcare Ethics and Bioethics Research (Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, The Hastings Center Report).
Medical Humanities Publications (Literature and Medicine, Medical Anthropology Quarterly).
Academic Theses and Dissertations in historical, ethical, and humanities-based medical research.

How to Cite Using Chicago Style

2.1. Author-Date System

The Author-Date system is similar to APA style, where in-text citations include the author's last name, year of publication, and page number (if applicable) in parentheses.

Basic Citation Format

Example: AI is transforming medical diagnostics (Smith 2023).

Narrative Citation (Author’s Name in the Sentence)

Example: Smith (2023) discusses the role of AI in radiology.

Citing Multiple Sources

Example: AI has been widely implemented in diagnostics (Williams 2022; Brown 2021).

Citing a Direct Quote (Includes Page Number)

Example: “AI is revolutionizing healthcare practices” (Smith 2023, 56).

2.2. Notes and Bibliography System

In this system, citations appear as footnotes or endnotes, and a bibliography is included at the end of the document.

Footnote Format (First Citation of a Source)

Example:

¹John Smith, *Advances in Digital Health* (New York: MedPress, 2023), 56.

Subsequent Footnotes (Shortened Citation Format)

Example:

²Smith, *Advances in Digital Health*, 78.

Bibliography Format (Sources Listed in Alphabetical Order)

Example:

Smith, John. Advances in Digital Health. New York: MedPress, 2023.

2.3. Reference List and Bibliography Format

The reference list (for Author-Date) or bibliography (for Notes and Bibliography) follows specific formatting rules for different types of sources.

2.3.1. Books

Author-Date Format:
Author Last Name, First Name. Year. *Title of the Book*. Edition (if applicable). Place of Publication: Publisher.

Example:
Smith, John. 2023. Advances in Digital Health. 3rd ed. New York: MedPress.

Notes and Bibliography Format:
Author First Name Last Name, *Title of the Book* (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year), Page Number.

Example:
¹John Smith, Advances in Digital Health (New York: MedPress, 2023), 56.

2.3.2. Journal Articles

Author-Date Format:
Author Last Name, First Name. Year. “Title of Article.” *Journal Name* Volume(Issue): Page Numbers. DOI (if available).

Example:
Smith, John, and Jane Doe. 2023. “Telemedicine and Healthcare Access.” Journal of Digital Health 12(3): 45-56. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jdh.2023.0123.

Notes and Bibliography Format:
¹John Smith and Jane Doe, “Telemedicine and Healthcare Access,” Journal of Digital Health 12, no. 3 (2023): 45-56, https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jdh.2023.0123.

2.3.3. Book Chapters

Author-Date Format:
Author Last Name, First Name. Year. “Title of Chapter.” In *Book Title*, edited by Editor First Name Last Name, Page Numbers. Place of Publication: Publisher.

Example:
Khan, Tariq. 2021. “AI in Radiology.” In Innovations in Medical Imaging, edited by John Smith, 55-78. London: Academic Press.

2.3.4. Websites

Author-Date Format:
Author or Organization Name. Year. “Title of Webpage.” Website Name. Accessed Month Day, Year. URL.

Example:
World Health Organization. 2020. “Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025.” WHO. Accessed July 10, 2023. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240020924.

2.3.5. Theses and Dissertations

Author-Date Format:
Author Last Name, First Name. Year. “Title of Thesis.” PhD diss., University Name.

Example:
Njeri, K. 2022. “Mobile Health Applications for Maternal Care in Kenya.” PhD diss., University of Nairobi.

Practical Scenarios and Use Cases

3.1. Scenario 1: Writing a Medical Ethics Paper

A bioethics researcher writes about ethical dilemmas in AI-driven diagnostics and cites historical texts using Chicago Notes and Bibliography to provide comprehensive source details.

3.2. Scenario 2: Writing a Healthcare History Dissertation

A PhD student at Harvard University studying the evolution of telemedicine uses archival sources and historical texts, making Chicago style ideal for citing diverse sources.

3.3. Scenario 3: Writing a Public Health Report

A public health professional writing a policy report follows the Author-Date system, ensuring a clear and concise citation format suitable for policymakers.

Online Tools and Resources for Chicago Referencing

4.1. Citation Management Software

EndNote – https://www.endnote.com/
Zotero – https://www.zotero.org/
Mendeley – https://www.mendeley.com/

4.2. Chicago Style Guides

Chicago Manual of Style Online – https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html
Purdue OWL Chicago Guide – https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/

Conclusion

The Chicago Citation Style is ideal for historical, ethical, and medical humanities research. It offers flexibility through Author-Date or Notes and Bibliography systems, ensuring professional and accurate citations for diverse sources.

NLM (National Library of Medicine) Citation Style – A Comprehensive Guide

Overview of the NLM Citation Style

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) citation style is a widely used referencing format for biomedical and healthcare research. It is the standard citation format for articles indexed in PubMed, MEDLINE, and other major medical databases.

NLM style follows a numeric citation system, similar to Vancouver style, ensuring clarity and conciseness in medical and scientific writing. It is officially documented in Citing Medicine: The NLM Style Guide for Authors, Editors, and Publishers, which provides specific formatting rules for citing books, journal articles, electronic resources, and unpublished materials.

1.1. Key Features of NLM Style

Numbered Citation System: In-text citations appear as superscript numbers (¹) or bracketed numbers [1], corresponding to a numbered reference list at the end of the document.
Order of Citations: References are listed in the order they appear in the text, not alphabetically.
Abbreviated Journal Titles: Journal names must be abbreviated according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) guidelines, found in the NLM Catalog.
No Periods Between Author Initials: Unlike some citation styles, NLM does not place periods between an author's initials (e.g., Doe J, Smith A instead of Doe, J. Smith, A.).
DOIs and URLs for Online Sources: Digital sources should include a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL when available.

1.2. Commonly Used By

The NLM Citation Style is widely used in:

Biomedical and Clinical Research Journals (New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, JAMA).
Public Health and Global Health Journals (American Journal of Public Health, Global Health Action).
Medical Research Papers and Systematic Reviews published in PubMed-indexed journals.
Theses, Dissertations, and Government Reports in medical and healthcare fields.

How to Cite Using NLM Style

2.1. In-Text Citations

NLM uses superscript numbers or brackets to cite sources in the order they appear.

Basic Citation Format

Example: AI-driven diagnostics have shown promising results¹.

Citing Multiple Sources

Example: Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of telemedicine¹–³.

Citing a Specific Page (Common for Direct Quotes)

Example: “AI-based imaging improves diagnostic accuracy”²(p45).

Citing the Same Source Multiple Times

The same number is used for each instance of the reference in the text.

2.2. Reference List Format

The reference list is:

Numbered in the order of appearance in the text.
Formatted with hanging indents (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented).
Journal titles are abbreviated according to the NLM Catalog.

2.2.1. Journal Articles

Format:
Author(s). Title of article. Abbreviated Journal Name. Year;Volume(Issue):Page Numbers. DOI (if available).

Example:

Doe J, Smith A. Telemedicine in global health. J Telemed Health. 2023;29(4):200-215.

2.2.2. Books

Format:
Author(s). Title of book. Edition (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher; Year.

Example:
2. Brown P. Clinical medicine: Advances and challenges. 3rd ed. New York: MedPress; 2022.

2.2.3. Book Chapters

Format:
Author(s). Title of chapter. In: Editor(s), editor(s). Title of book. Edition (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher; Year. p. [page range].

Example:
3. Khan T. AI in radiology. In: Smith J, editor. Innovations in medical imaging. 2nd ed. London: Academic Press; 2021. p. 55-78.

2.2.4. Websites

Format:
Author(s) or Organization Name. Title of webpage/document. Name of Website. Published [or Updated] Date. Accessed Date. Available from: URL.

Example:
4. World Health Organization. Global strategy on digital health 2020-2025. WHO. 2020 [updated 2021 Mar 15; cited 2023 Jul 10]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240020924.

2.2.5. Conference Proceedings

Format:
Author(s). Title of paper. In: Editor(s), editor(s). Title of the conference proceedings; Date of conference; Location. Place of publication: Publisher; Year. p. [page range].

Example:
5. Patel R, Lee W. Advances in AI diagnostics. In: Proceedings of the International Medical Informatics Conference; 2022 Oct 12-14; Geneva, Switzerland. New York: Springer; 2023. p. 89-102.

2.2.6. Theses and Dissertations

Format:
Author. Title of thesis [type of thesis/dissertation]. Place of Institution: Institution Name; Year.

Example:
6. Njeri K. Mobile health applications for maternal care in Kenya [dissertation]. Nairobi: University of Nairobi; 2022.

2.2.7. Government and Institutional Reports

Format:
Author(s) or Organization Name. Title of Report. Report Number (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher; Year.

Example:
7. Ministry of Health, Kenya. National guidelines for telemedicine implementation. Nairobi: Government of Kenya; 2023.

Practical Scenarios and Use Cases

3.1. Scenario 1: Writing a Biomedical Research Paper

A clinical researcher studying AI in radiology submits a paper to The New England Journal of Medicine, using NLM style to meet the journal’s strict referencing guidelines.

3.2. Scenario 2: Submitting a Medical Thesis

A medical student at Johns Hopkins University writing a dissertation on telehealth adoption in Africa follows NLM formatting for citations, ensuring consistency with PubMed-indexed publications.

3.3. Scenario 3: Writing a Government Healthcare Report

A public health agency compiling a national healthcare policy document uses NLM style to cite WHO reports, peer-reviewed studies, and official guidelines.

Online Tools and Resources for NLM Referencing

4.1. Citation Management Software

EndNote – https://www.endnote.com/
Zotero – https://www.zotero.org/
Mendeley – https://www.mendeley.com/

4.2. Online Citation Generators

Cite This For Me – https://www.citethisforme.com/
MyBib – https://www.mybib.com/

4.3. Official NLM Style Guide

Citing Medicine: The NLM Style Guide – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7256/
NLM Catalog for Journal Abbreviations – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog/journals

Conclusion

The NLM Citation Style is an essential referencing format for biomedical and healthcare research, ensuring clarity, precision, and alignment with PubMed standards. Researchers, clinicians, and students can enhance the credibility of their work by following NLM's structured approach to citations.

Choosing the Right Citation Style for The MedClarity Journals (MCJ)

The Medical Clarity Journal (MCJ) aims to maintain high standards of accuracy, consistency, and clarity in academic publishing. Choosing the appropriate citation style is essential for ensuring proper attribution, readability, and alignment with industry best practices.

Primary Citation Style: Vancouver (ICMJE)

The Vancouver Style, developed by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), is the standard citation format for MCJ. It is the most widely used referencing system in clinical medicine, healthcare research, and biomedical sciences, making it the preferred style for most submissions to MCJ journals.

Why Vancouver Style?

Numbered Citation System – Ensures concise in-text citations and a clean reading experience.
Widely Recognized – Used in top-tier medical journals indexed in PubMed, MEDLINE, and other biomedical databases.
Structured and Precise – Ideal for research that relies on large datasets and multiple references.

Journals Using Vancouver Style in MCJ

Journal of Clinical Medicine & Practice (JCMP)
Journal of Medical Research & Innovations (JMRI)
Journal of Digital Health & Telemedicine (JDHT)

Alternative Citation Styles Accepted by MCJ

While Vancouver (ICMJE) is the default style, certain MCJ journals allow the use of other citation styles based on disciplinary requirements:

2.1. AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Used In: Clinical research, public health, and medical education.
Features: Numeric citation system similar to Vancouver but with superscript numbers in text.
Ideal For: Journals focusing on applied medical sciences and healthcare policies.
Applicable MCJ Journals:

Journal of Medical Research & Innovations (JMRI)
Journal of Public Health & Policy (JPHP)

2.2. APA (American Psychological Association) Style (7th Edition)

Used In: Public health, psychology, nursing, and healthcare management research.
Features: Author-date citation format with an alphabetical reference list.
Ideal For: Studies involving health behavior, patient psychology, and healthcare administration.
Applicable MCJ Journals:

Journal of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences (JNAHS)
Journal of Public Health & Policy (JPHP)

2.3. NLM (National Library of Medicine) Style

Used In: Biomedical research and journals indexed in PubMed and MEDLINE.
Features: Numbered referencing system similar to Vancouver but tailored for biomedical sciences.
Ideal For: Studies in genomics, pharmacology, clinical trials, and epidemiology.
Applicable MCJ Journals:

Journal of Digital Health & Telemedicine (JDHT)
Journal of Medical Research & Innovations (JMRI)

Selecting the Right Citation Style Based on Research Discipline

MCJ Journal	Recommended Citation Style	Alternative Citation Style
Journal of Clinical Medicine & Practice (JCMP)	Vancouver (ICMJE)	AMA
Journal of Medical Research & Innovations (JMRI)	Vancouver (ICMJE)	NLM, AMA
Journal of Digital Health & Telemedicine (JDHT)	Vancouver (ICMJE)	NLM
Journal of Public Health & Policy (JPHP)	APA (7th Edition)	AMA, Vancouver
Journal of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences (JNAHS)	APA (7th Edition)	Vancouver

Final Guidelines for MCJ Authors

Check the Journal’s Preferred Style – Ensure you are following the correct citation style for your submission.
Maintain Consistency – Once a citation style is chosen, use it consistently throughout the manuscript.
Use Citation Management Tools – Software like EndNote, Zotero, and Mendeley can help format references accurately.
Refer to MCJ’s Author Guidelines – Visit https://journals.doctorsexplain.net/ for full details on citation formatting.

For any clarifications or special requests regarding citation styles, contact editorial@doctorsexplain.net.