| Template | Example | |
| Reference list entry for an image from a Book | Cite the Book according to Books but omit the pagination. Add the name and number of the portion being cited, the title of the image or figure, and the location. Citation for Book. Name and Number of Part, Title; location (page). |
Jeffrey H. Walking hand in hand: collaborative practice. In: Jeffrey H, Robertson L, Roodt JH, Ryan S, editors. Professional reasoning in healthcare: navigating uncertainty using the five finger framework. Hoboken (NJ): Wiley Blackwell; 2024. Figure 5.1, Key points; p. 79. |
| Reference list entry for an image from an eBook. | Start with information about the book, then include information about the part. Citation for eBook. Name and Number of Part, Title of part; [cited Year Mon Day]; Location. Available from: URL |
Cooper GM. The cell: a molecular approach [Internet]. 2nd ed. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates, Inc.; c2000. Figure 12.44, Bacterial cell walls; [cited 2024 Oct 15]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9874/. |
Use the name used by the author for the portion you are using. e.g.: Image 3, Figure 6.8, Chart 12, Graph 2.2, Photograph, etc.
Figures and images adapted from other sources require a reference list citation according to the type of source being cited. You are still required to include a reference list citation using the example listed at the top of the Images tab of the Vancouver guide.
Begin the caption with the word "Figure" and a number, provide your own caption for the image, include an "adapted from" statement (if adapted) and the reference list number, then insert the image below.
Example of In-Text Copyright Attribution:
Figure 1 Proper Desk Setup. Adapted from Smith. (3)
Reference List
3. Smith L. Making the office safe. New York. Pearson Publishers; 2016. Figure 7.4, Standing Desk; p. 72.
| Scenario | Solution | Reference list entry example |
| No title for image |
Create a title, usually from the first few words of the text. Place the created title in square brackets. |
Table 2, [Waist-hip ratio ranges and the sample sizes for women aged 40 to 59]; |
| No number for image or figure |
Simply use the name for the part and follow with a comma and the title. |
Image, Ultrasound of human prenatal development at 6 weeks; |
| Part has its own update or revision date |
Include the revision date in the square brackets immediately before the date of citation. Use the language in the source (revised, updated, etc.) |
[revised 2023 Jun 12; cited 2024 Oct 15]; |
| No page number |
The pagination is usually how much of a part you are using. For a single image, use: |
Cooper GM. The cell: a molecular approach [Internet]. 2nd ed. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates, Inc.; c2000. Figure 12.44, Bacterial cell walls; [cited 2024 Oct 15]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9874/ |
| You cite an image that has a different author from the source. |
Cite the original source. |
|
| You cite an image you took yourself | Generally, do not give the reference a number as it is your own work. Ask your instructor for directions on citing something you provide yourself. |
n/a |
Many images on the web do not have easily identifiable author, title, or date information. Try to locate missing information by right-clicking on the image and viewing the properties and/or looking for information within the page on which the image is found.
Looking for images that have an appropriate licence for use in your project? Check out the Finding Images guide.