Authors are responsible for the accuracy of references cited: these should be checked against the original documents before the paper is submitted. It is vital that the references are styled correctly so that they may be hyperlinked.

More guidance on editing references for optimum conversion on Bench>Press.

References must be numbered sequentially as they appear in the text. References cited in figures or tables (or in their legends and footnotes) should be numbered according to the place in the text where that table or figure is first cited. Reference numbers in the text must be given in square brackets immediately after punctuation (with no word spacing) - for example, .[6] not [6].

Where more than one reference is cited, separate by a comma - e.g. [1, 4, 39]. For sequences of consecutive numbers give all numbers without spaces - for example, [22-25]. References provided in this format are translated during the production process to superscript type, which act as hyperlinks from the text to the quoted references in electronic forms of the article.

References must be double spaced (numbered consecutively in the order in which they are mentioned in the text) in the [slightly modified] Vancouver style. Only papers published or in press should be included in the reference list. (Personal communications or unpublished data must be cited in parentheses in the text with the name(s) of the source(s) and the year. Authors should get permission from the source to cite unpublished data.)

12 Surname AB, Surname CD. Article title. Journal abbreviation. Year;Vol:Start page-End page.

Use one space only between words up to the year and then no spaces. The journal title should be in italic and abbreviated according to the style of Medline. If the journal is not listed in Medline then it should be written out in full.

Check journal abbreviations using PubMed.

List the names and initials of all authors if there are 3 or fewer; otherwise list the first 3 and add et al.

Journal
13 Koziol-Mclain J, Brand D, Morgan D, et al. Measuring injury risk factors: question reliability in a statewide sample. Inj Prev 2000;6:148-50.

Chapter in book
14 Nagin D. General deterrence: a review of the empirical evidence. In: Blumstein A, Cohen J, Nagin D, eds. Deterrence and incapacitation: estimating the effects of criminal sanctions on crime rates. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences 1978:95-139.

Book
(personal author or authors) (all book references should have specific page numbers)
15 Howland J. Social norms and drunk driving countermeasures. In Graham JD, ed. Preventing automobile injury: new findings from evaluative research. Dover, MA: Auburn House Publishing Company 1988:163-96.

Abstract/supplement
16 Roxburgh J, Cooke RA, Deverall P, et al. Haemodynamic function of the carbomedics bileaflet prosthesis [abstract]. Br Heart J 1995;73 (suppl 2):P37.

Electronic citations
Basically, websites are referenced with their URL and access date, and as much other information is given as is available. Access date is important, as websites can be updated and URLs change. The "date accessed" can be later than the acceptance date of the paper, and it can be just the month accessed. See the 9th edition of the AMA Manual of Style for further examples.

electronic journal articles:
Morse SS. Factors in the emergency of infectious diseases. Emerg Infect Dis 1995 Jan-Mar;1(1). www.cdc.gov/nciod/EID/vol1no1/morse.htm (accessed 5 Jun 1998).

Use as much information as the author gives. The volume/number information in the URL will take the user to the start of the individual document; ask the author to supply or confirm. Also ask authors to supply the date they accessed the file.

Online First
Each Online First article has a unique Digital Object Identifier (DOI). This should be included in all citations.

BEFORE the article has appeared in an issue
Use the citation format:
Sabin MA, Ford AL, Holly JMP, Hunt LP, Crowne EC, Shield JPH. Characterisation of morbidity in a UK, hospital based, obesity clinic. Arch Dis Child. Published Online First: 24 October 2005. doi:10.1136/adc.2005.083485

AFTER the article has appeared in an issue
Use the citation format:
Sabin MA, Ford AL, Holly JMP, Hunt LP, Crowne EC, Shield JPH. Characterisation of morbidity in a UK, hospital based, obesity clinic. Arch Dis Child 2006; 91:126-130 doi:10.1136/adc.2005.083485 [published Online First: 24 October 2005].

Electronic Letters
Author. Title of letter. Journal name Online [eLetter] Date of publication. url

eg: Krishnamoorthy KM, Dash PK. Novel approach to transseptal puncture. Heart Online [eLetter] 18 September 2001. http://heart.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletters/86/5/e11#EL1

Check your citation information using PubMed.

DOIs are a unique string created to identify a piece of intellectual property in an online environment, particularly useful for articles which have been published online before appearing in print (therefore the article has not yet been assigned the traditional volume, issue, and page number reference).

The DOI is a permanent identifier of all versions of an article, whether raw manuscript or edited proof, online or in print. Thus the DOI should ideally be included in the citation even if you want to cite a print version of an article.

How to cite articles before they have appeared in print
To cite an electronic article that has not yet appeared in print please use the following citation format:

1. Alwick K, Vronken M, de Mos T, et al. Cardiac risk factors: prospective cohort study. Ann Rheum Dis. Published Online First: 5 February 2004. doi:10.1136/ard.2003.001234

How to cite articles once they have appeared in print
Once the article has been printed the citation should also include the traditional year, volume, and page numbers, as well as the DOI and original date of publication.

1. Vole P, Smith H, Brown N, et al. Treatments for malaria: randomised controlled trial. Ann Rheum Dis 2003;327:765-8 doi:10.1136/ard.2003.001234 [published Online First: 5 February 2004].

More comprehensive guidance about DOI's.

PLEASE NOTE: RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS OF REFERENCES RESTS ENTIRELY WITH THE AUTHORS.