1. CITING LITERATURE IN MEDICINE
Doc. dr sci med Gajinov Z .

2. Citing and quoting
Quotation or quote is the repetition of one expression as part of another one, in its original exact form, and it is indicated by quotation marks. (reproducing a passage or a phrase , not paraphrasing, used particularly when the quoted expression is well-known)
Citation - a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage

3. Citing literature - definition
Standardized method of presenting sources of information and ideas used for writing scientific work, in an unique form that can identify these sources

4. Citing- definition
Citation is an abbreviated alphanumeric expression embedded in the body of an intellectual work that denotes an entry in the bibliographic references section of the work, for the purpose of acknowledging the relevance of the works of others to the topic of discussion at the spot where the citation appears.
Generally the combination of both the in-body citation and the bibliographic entry constitutes what is commonly thought of as a citation.
(Wikipedia)

5. Purpose of citing and quoting in scientific work
To present to readers which sources author has been used while writing his work Readers interested in further investigation of particular topic can identify other articles about it, and find matherial for subsequent more detailled exploration of the topic From cited matherial readers can quickly estimate which particular field did the author investigated Enable author: to disciplinaly follow rules of writing, to correctly and precisely shape his own thoughts, to continue his investigation from the points that previous authors have reached

6. Purpose of citing and quoting in scientific work
To distinguish thoughts and ideas of one author from others
Basic rule of all citation styles is that it must clearly indicate the moment where author start to express some other author thoughts instead of his own
Danger of plagiarism – products of someone elses scientific work
Rules od citing must be followed disciplinally
All uncertanities about sources of thoughts and ideas must be alleviated
All that has been taken from other sources must be properly marked (quotation marks or else), and its origin precisely noted

7. Reasons for citing literature
Basic reasons for citing literature used during process of creating scientific work
To present ideas of other authors, irrespectively of that author agree or disagree with them
To present to auditorium material that analysis, discussion and conclusions are based on
To present to auditorium how to find material that is used, and therefore to be able to investigate it for themselves.

8. Rules for citing literature
Citing literature must be performed carefully
Data about cited reference must be mentioned two times
First embedded in the text, second time in the list of literature used.
Every source of information mentioned in the text should be listed in bibliography section. Also, reference should not be listed in bibliography without being mentioned previously in the text
All data relevant for the recognition of the original source should be noted
Reference list at the end of manuscript must have details about all citations from the text

9. Styles of citing literature
Major styles- systems of citing literature in medicine are:
Vancouver (author-number)
Harvard system (author-date)
Some journals are using their particular style, with specific variations of standards

10. Vancouver system (author-number, citing of reference number)
In Vancouver in International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) meeting
Vancouver rules propose numeric style of citing, and form of references is recommended by National Library of Medicine of USA
Uniform requirement for preparation of manuscript submitted to biomedical journals
National Library of Medicine of USA is part of National Health Institute, with the greatest collection of medical journals and books from all world. There is organizing framework of Medline

11. Vancouver system (author-number)
References are marked as arabic numbers in the text, in parentheses, according to the first appearance in the text
In bibliographic list references are listed according to the number of the first appearance in the text
All authors are listed; if more than 6, that list first 6 authors and «et al»

12. Vancouver style- abbreviated journal titles
Abbreviated journal titles according to List of Journals Indexed for Medline, january issue of Index Medicus or Web (
Serbian journals not indexed in Medline,according to List of abbreviated titles of Serbian serial publications (

13. Harvard system (author-date)
Harvard system propose citing family name of author and year of publication in the text
(Family name, year) are in parentheses, usually at the end of sentence (Smith, 2007).
If 2 authors, list family names of both and year (Smith and Weson, 2007).
If more than two authors, list first author family name «et al»
In bibliography section, references are listed according to alphabet rule
All authors should be listed in bibliographic description of eache particular reference (if less than 6..., or first 6 et al ...)

14. Combined alphabet-number system
References are listed according to alphabet rule of family name of the first author, and cited with the number of the first appearance in the text Practical recommendations: Most journals uses Vancouver style of citing according to the number of reference in the text Rarely journals prefer Harvard system, when cited reference is identified by family name of the first author and the year of publication Although the final text version will be performed with Vancouver style, during early phases of writing manuscript, is more practical to use Harvard system, because it enables changes to be done easily, and to adapt to Vancouver style when manuscript is completed

15. Examples of Vancouver and Harvard style citation
Način na koji vidimo ljudsku kožu posledica je vidljive svetlosti koja sa kože stiže do mrežnjače oka, i odraz je njenih optičkih karakteristika. Optička svojstva kože posledica su interakcije vidljive svetlosti sa kožom, putem njene apsorpcije, reflektovanja i rasipanja (1).
1) Bruls W, Van der Leun J. Forward scattering properties of human epidermal layers. Photochem Photobiol. 1984;40:231-42
Način na koji vidimo ljudsku kožu posledica je vidljive svetlosti koja sa kože stiže do mrežnjače oka, i odraz je njenih optičkih karakteristika. Optička svojstva kože posledica su interakcije vidljive svetlosti sa kožom, putem njene apsorpcije, reflektovanja i rasipanja (Bruls and Van der Leun, 1984).
Bruls W, Van der Leun J (1984) Forward scattering properties of human epidermal layers. Photochem Photobiol 40:231-42

16. Advantages and flaws of citing styles
Vancouver system: enables easier finding of references in the text, disadvantage is that adding of new references or making changes is complicated.
Harvard system: it is easy to add new references or to change its redosled, but it is complicated to find particular reference in in the text and bibliography list

17. Examples of forms of citing according to Vancouver style

18. Form for citing of standard journal article
Papier A, Peres MR, Bobrow M, Bhatia A. The digital imaging system and dermatology. Int J Dermatol 2000;39:561-75
Scope A, Benvenuto-Andrade C, Agero ALC, Malvehy J, Puig S, Rajadhyaksha M et al. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy imaging of melanocytic skin lesions. J Am Acad Dermatol 2007;57:644-58

19. Monograph, textbook
Murray PR, Rosenthal KS, Kobayashi GS, Pfaller MA. Medical microbiology. 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 2002.
Gilstrap LC, Cunningham FG, VanDorsten JP, editors. Operative obstetrics. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2002.

20. Chapter in book
Costner MI, Sontheimer RD. Lupus erythematosus. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith L, editors. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York: Mc Graw Hill Co Inc, 2008:

21. Congresses and symposia
Proceedings
Harnden P, Joffe JK, Jones WG, editors. Germ cell tumours V. Proceedings of the 5th Germ Cell Tumour Conference; 2001 Sep 13-15; Leeds, UK. New York: Springer; 2002.
Abstract books
Harnden P, Joffe JK, Jones WG, editors. Germ cell tumours V. [abstract] Abstract book of the 5th Germ Cell Tumour Conference; 2001 Sep 13-15; Leeds, UK. New York: Springer; 2002.

22. Dissertation
Spirić S. Influence of gamma rays on spookie plants. [PhD dissertation] Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad; 2010.
Spirić S. Influence of gamma rays on spookie plants. [PhD dissertation on Internet] Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad; [cited 2010 oct 9]. 150p. Available at: http//www:medical.uns.... pdf.

23. Unpublished material
Standard article accepted for publication (in press)
Tian D, Araki H, Stahl E, Bergelson J, Kreitman M. Signature of balancing selection in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. In press 2002.

24. Elektronic documents CD rom
Anderson SC, Poulsen KB. Anderson's electronic atlas of hematology [CD-ROM]. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002.
Article in Internet Journal
Abood S. Quality improvement initiative in nursing homes: the ANA acts in an advisory role. Am J Nurs [serial on the Internet] Jun [cited 2002 Aug 12];102(6):[about 3 p.]. Available from:
Monograph on Internet
Foley KM, Gelband H, editors. Improving palliative care for cancer [monograph on the Internet]. Washington: National Academy Press; 2001 [cited 2002 Jul 9]. Available from:
Web location
Cancer-Pain.org [homepage on the Internet]. New York: Association of Cancer Online Resources, Inc.; c [updated 2002 May 16; cited 2002 Jul 9]. Available from:

25. Monograph on CD Rom

26. Monograph on Internet

27. Further reading
Patrias, K. Citing medicine: the NLM style guide for authors, editors, and publishers [Internet]. 2nd ed. Wendling, DL, technical editor. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2007 [updated 2009 Jan 14; cited oct 25]. Available from: