A Guide to NLM Citation: Correctly Citing Medical Research Sources

Citing sources isn’t just about following rules; it’s about giving proper credit and avoiding plagiarism. But let’s face it—navigating different citation styles can be confusing.

Maybe you’ve spent hours writing a paper, only to get bogged down in the details of formatting your references. You’re not alone.

When it comes to the medical and life sciences fields, the NLM citation style can feel like a whole different ball game. The abbreviations, specific date formats, and structured order can overwhelm even seasoned researchers.

But here’s the good news: with a clear guide, you can get it right. This blog will break down NLM citations in a simple, easy-to-follow way so you can confidently cite your sources. 

Ready? Let’s get started!

What is NLM Citation?

NLM stands for National Library of Medicine, and its citation style is widely used in medical and life sciences. Think of it as a roadmap for how to cite research in these fields. Just like IEEE is specific to engineering, NLM is tailored for health and biomedical research. If you’ve ever read a medical journal, there’s a good chance you’ve come across this format.

NLM citation style ensures your sources are organized, consistent, and easily verifiable. It’s also a way to show respect to the original authors by properly crediting their work, something that’s vital in scientific research.

Why is NLM Citation So Important?

Now that you know what NLM citation is, let’s talk about why it’s so important.

First, Research Integrity

In academic and scientific writing, plagiarism is a serious offense. Even if you unintentionally fail to credit a source properly, it can lead to accusations of plagiarism. That’s not only damaging to your reputation but could potentially discredit your research altogether. NLM citation style helps you avoid these pitfalls by making sure your sources are cited accurately and fully.

Second, Credibility

Imagine reading a medical article and trying to trace a referenced study, only to find incomplete or incorrect citation details. 

Frustrating, right? 

Proper citation allows others to verify the research and find the original sources. In the world of medicine, this is more than just a formality—it’s about ensuring the safety, accuracy, and reliability of the information being shared. If someone wants to further explore a treatment or theory you’ve referenced, your citation needs to point them directly to the original source.

Lastly, NLM Is Field-Specific

When you’re writing within the medical or life sciences domain, you need to use the citation style that is universally accepted in those areas. Many top-tier journals in the medical field require NLM citations, so learning this style is essential if you plan on submitting your work.

Core Elements of NLM Citation

Let’s break down the core elements that make up a proper NLM citation. Each one plays an important role in ensuring that your sources are properly identified and referenced.

Authors

Every author who contributed to the work should be credited. If a paper has more than six authors, NLM style dictates that you list the first six and then use "et al." to represent the rest. This abbreviation signals that there are more authors but helps to keep the citation manageable in length.

Journal Titles

Medical and scientific journals can have long names, so NLM citation uses official abbreviations to save space.

For example, instead of writing ‘Journal of the American Medical Association’, you’d write JAMA. These abbreviations are standardized by the NLM, which means they’re universally understood across the medical community.

Publication Dates

The format is specific and must follow YYYY Mon DD. This means if your source was published on August 15, 2023, it would be cited as 2023 Aug 15. This consistency ensures that readers can quickly grasp the publication timeline of the referenced work.

Page Numbers

For journal articles, NLM requires that you list the pages where the article appears, using a hyphen to indicate the range (e.g., 123-135). This precision is essential because medical research often spans several volumes or issues, and pinpointing the exact pages helps readers find the right information quickly.

Volume And Issue Numbers

Always include the volume and issue numbers when citing journal articles. In a reference like J Bone Miner Res. 2019;23(4):567-578, 23 is the volume number, and 4 is the issue number. These numbers help to further specify where the article is within a journal’s publication history.

DOI Or URL

For online resources, include a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or a URL. These are critical because they provide a direct link to the digital version of the source. A DOI is preferred when available, as it’s a permanent identifier that won’t change, unlike URLs, which can sometimes break or become outdated.

By paying close attention to these details, you ensure that your NLM citations are clear, consistent, and complete.

How to Structure and Format NLM Citations

Getting the structure right for NLM citations may seem tricky, but following a clear process can make it much easier. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:

Gather All Citation Information

Before you even begin writing your reference list, make sure you have all the necessary details. This includes the names of the authors, article title, journal name, publication date, volume, issue, and page numbers. If you’re citing an online source, don’t forget the DOI or URL.

List Authors Correctly

Always list the authors in the order they appear in the publication. If there are six or fewer authors, include all of them. If there are more, list the first six and follow with “et al.” This is a time-saver and ensures the citation doesn’t become too long.

Use Journal Title Abbreviations

NLM uses abbreviations for journal titles. Instead of writing out Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, you’d use J Bone Miner Res. This shorthand makes the citation shorter without losing clarity. You can easily look up these abbreviations in the NLM catalog.

Format The Date Correctly

Unlike other citation styles that might allow different formats for the date, NLM is strict. Always use YYYY Mon DD. This consistency helps ensure that readers know exactly when the research was published.

Include Volume, Issue, And Page Numbers

For journal articles, always cite the volume and issue number along with the page range. This ensures that your reader can quickly locate the exact article in a potentially huge archive of research.

DOI Or URL For Online Sources

If you’re citing something online, a DOI is preferable because it’s a permanent identifier that stays constant even if the website changes. However, if a DOI is not available, include the URL so that readers can access the source directly.

How to Cite in NLM Style

Below, we’ll break down how to cite different types of sources and provide accurate examples to guide you.

Citing A Journal Article In NLM Style

Journal articles are one of the most common sources in medical research. In NLM style, journal citations include the authors, article title, abbreviated journal title, publication date, volume, issue, and page numbers. If the article has a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), it should also be included.

Format:

Author(s). Article title. Abbreviated Journal Title. Year;Volume(Issue):Pages. doi (if available).

Example:

Smith AB, Johnson CD, Davis EF. The role of vitamin D in bone health. J Bone Miner Res. 2019;23(4):567-578. doi:10.12345/jbmr.2019.567.

In-text citation:

(Smith et al. 2019)

Citing A Book In NLM Style

For books, the citation includes the authors, title, edition (if applicable), publisher, publication year, and the total number of pages or volume information if it's a multi-volume work.

Format:

Author(s). Book Title. Edition (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher; Year of publication. Total number of pages or volume information.

Example:

Johnson B, Davis C. A Study on the Effects of Exercise on Cardiovascular Health. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Academic Press; 2020. 356 p.

In-text citation:

(Johnson and Davis 2020)

Citing A Chapter In A Book

When citing a specific chapter within a book that has multiple authors or editors, include the chapter’s author, title, editors of the book, book title, and page range.

Format:

Chapter Author(s). Chapter title. In: Editor(s), editor(s). Book title. Edition. Place of publication: Publisher; Year of publication. p. pages.

Example:

Davis EF. Bone health in the elderly. In: Smith A, Johnson B, editors. Advances in Geriatric Medicine. 3rd ed. London: Medical Press; 2021. p. 123-150.

In-text citation:

(Davis 2021)

Citing A Website In NLM Style

For websites, it’s important to include the author (if available), the title of the page, the name of the website, the URL, the publication date (if available), and the access date.

Format:

Author(s). Title of web page. Website name. URL. Published date. Accessed date.

Example:

National Institute of Health. The role of vitamin D in maintaining bone health. NIH. https://www.nih.gov/vitamind-bone-health. Published 2022, October 15. Accessed 2023, January 10.

In-text citation:

(National Institute of Health 2022)

Citing A Report In NLM Style

Reports follow a slightly different format from journal articles or books, as they often include specific institution names and report numbers.

Format:

Author(s) or Institution. Title of report. Place of publication: Publisher; Year. Report number.

Example:

World Health Organization. Global Tuberculosis Report 2022. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022. WHO/HTM/TB/2022.12.

In-text citation:

(World Health Organization 2022)

In conclusion, understanding and applying the NLM citation style is crucial for anyone in the medical and life sciences fields. It safeguards research integrity by avoiding plagiarism and boosts credibility by allowing others to verify and trace sources accurately. 

By adhering to the guidelines for citing journal articles, books, websites, and reports, you ensure that your references are concise, consistent, and complete. Although it may seem challenging at first, with careful attention to detail, citing in NLM style will become more straightforward. 

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