Reference styles

There are general guidelines and systems on how to refer to the sources you use.  The Vancouver system is widely used in medicine. In health sciences, such as nursing and occupational therapy, the APA system is common. In public health, Harvard style is sometimes used.

When using references, to refer in the text and to compile a reference list/literature list/bibliography at the end, it is done in a predetermined way.

It is important to include such things as author, title, publisher or journal, year of publication and the like. How this is written and the order in which it appears is determined by the reference style used.

There are many different reference styles, used in different subject areas and in different journals. The following pages contain examples of common reference styles, but there are many more. Ask your teacher or supervisor if you are unsure which reference style to use for your thesis, home exam or paper.

Vancouver

Guides with information and guidance on how to reference according to Vancouver:

• Reference guide to Vancouver Links to an external site. (Karolinska Institutet)
• Citing Medicine Links to an external site. (National Library of Medicine, U.S)
  

Harvard

Guides with information and guidance on how to reference according to Harvard:

• Harvard System of Referencing Links to an external site. (Anglia Ruskin University, U.K)