Citation Styles and Tools
There are at least as many citation styles as there are journals; EndNote software includes over 6,000 styles!
When submitting a manuscript, you are responsible for finding out what citation style is required. This can be found by searching the journal's website (often called "Instructions for Authors") or by consulting your instructor/syllabus.
The following styles are the most commonly used in the health sciences:
- APA Paper GuideInstructions on how to format different sections of a paper using APA format.
- APA Style BlogThe APA Style Blog is the official companion to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th Edition.
Academic Writer (formerly APA Style Central)The ultimate source on APA style. Contains quick guides and tutorials on APA style, tools for planning research projects, citation management, and more.
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association by Access: RESERVE WZ 345 A512p 2020ISBN: 9781433832154Publication Date: 2019The seventh edition is the official source for APA Style.
AMA Manual of Style, 11th ed. by ISBN: 9780190246556Publication Date: 2020The American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors is an online, searchable guide on creating a manuscript. Topics covered include: authorship, terminology, quantitation, and preferred usage.
The Bluebook Uniform System of Citation by Access: RESERVE WZ 345 B658 2015ISBN: 9780692400197Publication Date: 2015The Bluebook contains information for the proper citations and annotations for legislation (Federal, State, and Foreign Countries) as well as for other legal writing.
Citing Medicine: The NLM Style Guide for Authors, Editors, and Publishers. 2nd ed. by Publication Date: 2007 [Updated 2018]This style guide provides rules and examples for creating references for a wide variety of sources. It does not discuss creating superscript citations or writing style. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) created and maintains this guide. It is available free and no log in is required.
Other Useful Links for Authors:
- ICMJE Recommendations on Manuscript PreparationThe International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) developed these recommendations to review best practice and ethical standards in the conduct and reporting of research and other material published in medical journals, and to help authors, editors, and others involved in peer review and biomedical publishing create and distribute accurate, clear, reproducible, unbiased medical journal articles.
- NLM Quick ListSample citations based on the National Information Standards Organization NISO Z39.29-2005 (R2010) Bibliographic References as adapted by the National Library of Medicine for its databases.