The Vancouver style is a standardized referencing and citation system commonly used in the fields of biomedical and health sciences. It’s known for its numbered citation format and is governed by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

Here’s a quick breakdown of the Vancouver style for writing a manuscript

✍️ Key Features of Vancouver Style

1. In-Text Citations

Use numbers in superscript or in brackets to cite sources.

Numbers correspond to a numbered reference list at the end of the manuscript.

Example:

Recent studies suggest that herbal extracts have anti-inflammatory effects¹.

OR

Recent studies suggest that herbal extracts have anti-inflammatory effects [1].

2. Reference List Format

Listed numerically in the order of appearance (not alphabetical).

Each reference includes: Author(s). Title. Journal. Year;Volume(Issue):Page numbers.

📚 Examples of Vancouver Style References

✅ Journal Article

Format:

Author(s). Title of article. Abbreviated Journal Title. Year;Volume(Issue):Page numbers.

Example:

Gupta AK, Sharma M. Antimicrobial activity of medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol. 2022;150(2):201-208.

✅ Book

Format:

Author(s). Title of Book. Edition (if not 1st). Place of publication: Publisher; Year.

Example:

Trease GE, Evans WC. Pharmacognosy. 16th ed. London: Saunders Elsevier; 2009.

✅ Website

Format:

Author(s). Title [Internet]. Place of publication: Publisher; Date of publication [cited YYYY MMM DD]. Available from: URL

Example:

World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on safety monitoring of herbal medicines in pharmacovigilance systems [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2004 [cited 2025 Apr 13]. Available from: https://apps.who.int

✅ Tips for Writing in Vancouver Style

Use abbreviated journal names (as per Index Medicus).

Do not use full stops after initials or journal abbreviations.

Use Arabic numerals in brackets or superscript format.

Be consistent throughout the manuscript.