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Cathy Aranda
Cathy Aranda

NLM Citation Style: Easy-to-Follow Guidelines

10 min read

Published on: Apr 3, 2024

Last updated on: Jul 15, 2024

NLM Citation

When it comes to academic writing in medicine, figuring out how to cite things properly can be a big challenge. This is especially true for students dealing with the National Library of Medicine (NLM) citation style.

The rules can be confusing, leaving students feeling a bit lost. It's frustrating because getting citations right is not just a rule; it's super important for good academic writing.

But don't worry, we're here to help! This blog is a roadmap for students facing NLM citation challenges. We'll take a look at the common ways to cite different types of sources along with examples.

Let’s dive into it! 

What is the National Library of Medicine (NLM) Style?

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) style is a specific citation style used primarily in the field of medicine and related disciplines.

It is developed by the National Library of Medicine in the United States and is widely adopted for citing sources in medical and scientific research papers, articles, and journals.

Key Features of NLM Citation Style

  • Numbered Citations: In-text citations are typically represented by Arabic numerals in square brackets. Such as [1] or [2], corresponding to the numbered reference list at the end of the document.
  • Author Names: The names of authors in reference entries are listed by last name followed by initials, without commas between them.
  • Title Formatting: in reference entries, journal article titles are abbreviated and presented in sentence case (only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized). Book titles are italicized.
  • Reference List: The reference list is usually organized numerically, with each citation corresponding to the number used in the in-text citation.

NLM In-Text Citations

In the National Library of Medicine (NLM) citation style, in-text citations play a crucial role in guiding readers to the full details of your sources. 

Here are some key points to keep in mind when using NLM in-text citations:

Numeric System

NLM uses a numeric citation system. Each source cited in the text is assigned a unique number, typically enclosed in square brackets. 

  • For example, [1], [2], [3], and so on.

Order of Citation

The numbers in the in-text citations correspond to the order in which the sources appear in the reference list.

This numeric approach allows for a straightforward connection between the information in the text and the full citation details.

Superscript or Square Brackets

Depending on the publication guidelines or personal preference, you can present the numbers as superscripts within the text. The other option is to use square brackets. 

  • For instance, you might write "The study results were inconclusive [4]" or "As demonstrated previously5, the experiment was replicated."

Multiple Sources

When citing multiple sources in the same sentence, list the numbers in ascending order and separate them with commas. 

  • For example, "Several studies have explored this phenomenon[6,8-10]."

No Author

If a source has no identifiable author, use the title or the first few words of the title as the citation. 

  • For instance, "[11] discusses the impact of climate change on marine life."

NLM Style for Reference List

In the NLM citation style, the reference list is a key component, offering a systematic way to present the sources cited in your work. 

Below are guidelines for formatting citations in the reference list based on various source types.

Journal Articles

  • Generic Format: Last name followed by initials. Journal article titles in sentence case. Abbreviate journal names according to NLM guidelines. Include volume, issue number, page numbers, and publication year.

Example: Smith AB, Jones CD, Brown EF. "Exploring New Frontiers in Neuroscience Research." Am J Neurosci. 2019;15(3):245-256.

Journal Article with More than 3 Authors

  • Generic Format: Last name followed by initials for the first three authors, followed by "et al." Journal article titles in sentence case. Abbreviate journal names according to NLM guidelines. Include volume, issue, page numbers, and publication year.

Example: Smith AB, Jones CD, Brown EF, et al. "Collaborative Research on Genetic Variations." J Genet Res. 2017;12(4):112-125.

Websites

  • Generic Format: Last name followed by initials. Website article titles in sentence case. Include the title, source, publication year, and URL.

Example: Brown GH, Taylor M. "Advancements in Genetic Research." Genetic Insights. 2021. Available from: [https://www.geneticinsights.com].

Senior Research Projects

  • Generic Format: Last name followed by initials. Senior project titles in sentence case. Include the name of the institution and the year of submission.

Example: Davis KL. "Impact of Social Media on Mental Health." Senior Research Project, Department of Psychology, University of Chicago. 2022.

Books

  • Generic Format: Last name followed by initials. Book titles italicized. Include edition (if applicable), place of publication, publisher, and year.

Example: Williams DE. Introduction to Medical Research. 3rd ed. New York: Academic Press; 2020.

Book Chapter

  • Generic Format: Chapter Author’s Surname First-and-Middle-Initials. Chapter Title. In: Book Editor’s Surname First-and-Middle-Initials. Book title. Place of Publication: Publisher; Date of Publication. Pagination.

Example: Doe JH. "Advancements in Molecular Biology." In: Miller LM, Davis KL, editors. Current Trends in Genetics. New York: Academic Press; 2021. 45-68.

e-Book

  • Generic Format: Last name followed by initials. e-Book title [Internet]. Include edition (if applicable), place of publication, publisher, URL, and publication year.

Example: Brown GH. Genetic Insights: A Comprehensive Guide to Research [internet]. 3rd ed. [Place]: Genetic Publishers; 2023. Available from: [URL].

Online Sources

  • Generic Format: Last name followed by initials. Online article titles in sentence case. Include the title, source, publication year, and URL.

Example: Johnson R. "Understanding Climate Change." Environmental Studies. 2021. Available from: [URL].

Database/Retrieval System

  • Generic Format: Last name followed by initials. Database or retrieval system name italicized. Include the article title, source, publication year, volume, issue, page numbers, and URL.

Example: Taylor M. "Exploring New Therapies." Med Database. 2018;25(3):112-120. Available from: [URL].

NLM vs Other Citation Formats

Let's compare NLM citations with other citation styles:

NLM Citation to Harvard

Citation Style

In-Text Citation Style

Usage

NLM (National Library of Medicine)

Numeric system with square brackets

Medical and scientific literature

Harvard

Author-date system, author names and publication year in parentheses

Widely used across various disciplines

NLM Citation vs Vancouver

Citation Style

In-Text Citation Style

Usage

NLM (National Library of Medicine)

Numeric system with square brackets

Prevalent in medical and scientific research

Vancouver

Numeric system with superscript numbers

Commonly used in medical and health sciences

NLM Citation vs APA

Citation Style

In-Text Citation Style

Usage

NLM (National Library of Medicine)

Numeric system with square brackets

Often found in medical and scientific research literature

APA (American Psychological Association)

Author-date system, author's last name and publication year in-text

Widely used in social sciences

AMA vs NLM Citation

Citation Style

In-Text Citation Style

Usage

AMA (American Medical Association)

Numeric system with superscript numbers

Commonly used in medical and scientific fields

NLM (National Library of Medicine)

Numeric system with square brackets

Particularly in medical and scientific research

NLM Citation vs Chicago

Citation Style

In-Text Citation Style

Usage

NLM (National Library of Medicine)

Numeric system with square brackets

Primarily in medical and scientific contexts

Chicago

Author-date system (similar to other styles) and notes-bibliography system with footnotes/endnotes

Offers flexibility, widely used in various disciplines

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is NLM the Same as Vancouver?

No, NLM (National Library of Medicine) and Vancouver are distinct citation styles. 

While both use numeric systems, NLM employs square brackets. Mainly in medical research, while Vancouver uses superscript numbers, commonly in health sciences.

Cathy Aranda

WRITTEN BY

Cathy Aranda (Mass communication)

Cathy is a highly dedicated author who has been writing for the platform for over five years. With a Master's degree in Mass Communication, she is well-versed in various forms of writing such as articles, press releases, blog posts, and whitepapers. As an essay writing guide author at PerfectEssayWriter.ai, she has been helping students and professionals improve their writing skills by offering practical tips on research, citation, sentence structure, and style.

Cathy is a highly dedicated author who has been writing for the platform for over five years. With a Master's degree in Mass Communication, she is well-versed in various forms of writing such as articles, press releases, blog posts, and whitepapers. As an essay writing guide author at PerfectEssayWriter.ai, she has been helping students and professionals improve their writing skills by offering practical tips on research, citation, sentence structure, and style.

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