New numbered referencing guide published
09/08/2023

We are excited to announce that a new Numbered Referencing Guide has been published on our Library Services website.
This is an update to the previous guide, which is used by a selection of students in our School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, and in Cranfield Defence and Security. We will be teaching it to all new students who use the numbered style starting from August 2023 onwards. Please note that this will not affect existing students and courses using the “old” numbered style – we will continue to support you with the style you are using and you will still be able to access that guide via our Referencing and Plagiarism page for as long as you need it. This includes students currently writing up their theses.
Why have we updated the numbered guide?
The new guide continues to use the NLM (National Library of Medicine) style, which is sometimes also referred to as Vancouver. However, the previous version had some adaptations in it that were unique to Cranfield. We have now removed them so references can be used with reference management software without the need to import a bespoke style. This should make referencing easier.
A new Referencing and Avoiding Plagiarism eLearning module is also being developed for Canvas. It will be made available all students whose course uses a numbered referencing style.
What about the Author-Date guide?
The numbered referencing style is one of two styles used at Cranfield, the other being Author-Date. The existing Author-Date style and guidance is unaffected.
I have questions!
If you have any questions about the changes to the existing numbered style, please contact your Teaching and Learning or Research Support Librarian.
Image by ElasticComputeFarm from Pixabay
Categories & Tags:
Leave a comment on this post:
You might also like…
Building more than research: Reflections from the ECRn Symposium 2026
There’s something quietly powerful about a room full of early career researchers. Not just the ideas, although there were plenty of those—but the conversations, the curiosity, and the sense that everyone is figuring things ...
Library services over Easter, 3-6 April
Kings Norton Library will remain open for study 24/7. You will need your University ID card to enter the building and can use the self-service machines to borrow and return items as usual. Barrington Library ...
How do I access the full-text of Harvard Business Review (HBR)?
This is a frequently asked question, and it's worth knowing how to access this key management journal. So, how do you access HBR in full-text? The short answer is via our eJournals finder. You can find ...
Engineering problem to solve? Let Knovel help you find a solution
Did you know that Knovel provides you with more than just eBooks? Knovel is a key database for many engineering, mechanical and materials courses here at Cranfield University, and contains content from an extensive range ...
What happens when female scholars meet influential leaders?
On the 5 March 2026, our British Council Women in STEM Scholars had the privilege of sitting down with two excellent role models of industry and academia: Professor Dame Karen Holford, ...
From MSc to CEO: Igniting a research revolution
For many, a master’s degree is achieving a big milestone. Kilyan Ocampo, Computational Fluid Dynamics alumni shares how studying at Cranfield helped launch his career in the energy sector. Today, Kilyan ...
