How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in Vancouver Style
Quick Answer
Vancouver style cites theses and dissertations using a numbered format corresponding to the reference list, which includes the author's name, thesis title in italics, institution, location, and year of publication. The citation typically follows this order: Author(s). Title [type of thesis]. Place of publication: Institution; Year.
Vancouver style provides efficient documentation for biomedical and scientific research. This guide covers specific formatting for this source type.
Key Vancouver Characteristics
- Numbered citations [1], [2], [3] in order of appearance
- Reference list numbered sequentially (not alphabetized)
- Journal titles abbreviated
- Periods separate major elements
- Author initials only (no first names)
- Concise format suitable for scientific writing
In-Text Citation Format
[1] First citation
[2] Second citation
[1, 2, 5] or [1-3] for multipleReference List Format
1. Author Surname I(s). Title. Journal Abbreviation. Year;volume(issue):pages.Source Type Specifics
Format varies by source type. Include:
- Author names and initials
- Source title (no quotation marks)
- Publication details (journal, book, website)
- Year and volume/page information
- DOI or URL if available
Step-by-Step Process
- List sources in order of appearance in text
- Assign sequential numbers [1], [2]…
- Create numbered reference list
- Use correct journal abbreviations
- Follow exact punctuation format
- Never rearrange or renumber
Common Formatting Errors
- Alphabetizing reference list (violates Vancouver rules)
- Using full journal names instead of abbreviations
- Including quotation marks around titles
- Inconsistent author name format
- Missing publication information
- Incorrect date or volume format
Citation Practice
See specific guides for your source type (journal articles, books, websites, etc.) for detailed formatting examples and complete practice citations.
Vancouver Citation Generator
Use our citation generator to help format Vancouver citations accurately. Always verify that numbers match appearance order in your text.
Mastering Vancouver Style
Vancouver’s numbered system provides efficient documentation for scientific literature. These guidelines ensure your citations meet biomedical publishing standards and enable reader verification of sources.
For detailed guidance on specific source types, consult our individual guides for journal articles, books, websites, and other materials commonly cited in scientific research.
Further Reading
- Vancouver/ICMJE — The official National Library of Medicine resource providing detailed guidelines on Vancouver style citations, including theses and dissertations.
- AMA Manual of Style — An authoritative source on medical and scientific writing style that complements Vancouver citation practices.
- Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) — A comprehensive academic writing resource with practical advice on citation styles and formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Vancouver citations work?
Vancouver uses numbered citations [1], [2], [3] in the order they appear in text. Numbers are assigned sequentially, not alphabetized in reference list.
Do I cite by author name in Vancouver?
No, Vancouver uses only numbers in brackets. Author information appears in the numbered reference list, not in text citations.
Can I use Vancouver for non-scientific papers?
Vancouver is designed for biomedical and scientific writing. For humanities or general social sciences, consider Harvard or Chicago style.
Format Citations Automatically
Format citations in APA, MLA, Chicago and more—all inside Microsoft Word.
Install Free