Mistakes Checklist
Common Vancouver Article Citation Mistakes
Published studies report citation/reference error rates between 25-54%. Use this page to catch the most frequent formatting failures before submission.
Top mistakes to avoid
- ⚠Omitting the date
- ⚠Using author-date format
- ⚠Italicizing publication name
- ⚠Forgetting section designation
Wrong vs correct examples
Using author-date instead of numbered citation
Wrong
According to Smith (2024), a new treatment shows promise...
Correct
According to a recent report (1), a new treatment shows promise...
Vancouver uses numbered references in parentheses (1), not author-date citations. Numbers are assigned in order of first appearance in the text.
Italicized publication name and wrong date format
Wrong
Smith J. New treatment shows promise. *The Times*. March 15, 2024;Health:12.
Correct
Smith J. New treatment shows promise for rare disease. The Times. 2024 Mar 15;Health:12.
Vancouver does not use italics for any element. Dates must follow Year Mon Day format with three-letter month abbreviations (2024 Mar 15, not March 15, 2024).
Fix checklist
- ✓Include section name when available
- ✓Use full date for newspapers
- ✓No italics needed
- ✓Keep numbered citation format
Frequently asked questions
How do I cite an online news article?
Add [Internet] after publication name and include [cited Date] and URL.
Are newspaper articles appropriate for medical papers?
Prefer peer-reviewed sources when possible. Use news articles for current events context only.
Build the corrected citation now
Use the template and guide, then generate the final citation from verified academic sources.