NLM Citation Style: Easy-to-Follow Guidelines

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.

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.

Websites

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

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.

Books

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

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.

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.

Online Sources

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

NLM vs Other Citation Formats

Let's compare NLM citations with other citation styles:

NLM Citation to Harvard

NLM Citation vs Vancouver

NLM Citation vs APA

AMA vs NLM Citation

NLM Citation vs Chicago

As we wrap up,

It's clear that understanding how to cite properly in NLM style makes your work more trustworthy and easier to follow.

So, as you continue your academic journey, remember the tips and examples you've learned from this guide!

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