Request Index Medicus be added to the reference repository

Jafra

Hello,

I am submitting a manuscript to a journal that requires Index Medicus, a numerical parenthetical citation style similar to Vancouver. While Index Medicus matches Vanouver for in-text citations, there are some notable differences in how the bibliography is formatted. I'm hoping that Index Medicus can be added soon. Please below several examples provided by the International Journal of Exercise Science.

Lyons S, Richardson M, Bishop P, Smith J, Giesen J. Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption in untrained males: effects of intermittent durations of arm ergometry. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 31(3): 196-201, 2006.

McFarlin BK, Mitchell JB. Exercise in hot and cold environments: Differential effects on leukocyte number and NK cell activity. Aviat Space Environ Med 74: 1231-1236, 2003.

Books...
Prestes J, Foschini D, Marchetti P, Charro M. Prescription and periodization of strength training. Tamboré: Manole Publisher; 2010.

Kenney WL, Wilmore JH, Costill DL. Physiology of sport and exercise. 6th ed. Champaign: Human Kinetics; 2015.

With appreciation,
Jafra Thomas
Oregon State University

adamsmith

"Index Medicus" is not actually a citation style (it is, roughly speaking, the old name for what is now MEDLINE), but it looks like we do have a style for the journal you're using
https://www.zotero.org/styles?q=%20International%20Journal%20of%20Exercise%20Science
have you tried using that?

DWL-SDCA

I have been trying to resist my urge to post about this but here goes...

I agree that there isn't really an Index Medicus style but lots of folks in authority are certain that there is such a "style" and no amount of evidence will convince them otherwise. Powerful faculty at universities insist that this be included in the university's style guidance. See:

http://medlib.bu.edu/pdf/citation_guide.pdf

This follows from when everything was print and manuscripts were written on a typewriter to be proofed and typeset.

For biomedical journals typical instructions to authors read: "Number references consecutively, repeating when necessary. Journal articles cited should appear in the reference list exactly as presented in Index Medicus."

It was a given that any article worthy of a cite would be in the index. There were a variety of ways that authors were instructed to cite things such as reference tables, book sections, and technical reports.

When the IM was still in print, summary issues contained a short explanation of the abbreviation and punctuation conventions. The IM was an index to journal articles (full stop).

Back to the real world, present day; we have people requesting a 'style' that was used in a printed publication that ended in 2004. Throughout the life of this index, punctuation, abbreviation, and other conventions changed several times.

My opinion for a manuscript is to select a Zotero numeric style with appropriate numbering (superscript, within curved brackets, within square brackets, etc.).

This recommendation does _not_ apply for submitting assigned papers to professors. Even within a single department there can be profs with different ideas about what IM style means. Grades fall because of the placement of a space. It is essential to learn exactly what is required before turning in your work. "Dr. Jones accepts that but I do not."

In an earlier thread I wrote of a single professor who lowered student grades because they used the current version of the APA style instead of the earlier one (two versions older) preferred by the professor.

I will end this before my rant careens out of control. Among the most important reasons for having style standards is to easily convey to the reader where the cited material may be found. It is nice to be able to recognize that a number represents a volume, issue, or page number and not need to study tthe pattern and guess what the number represents.

I don't understand why someone in authority at a university does not insist that there can be no room for personal modifications to standards. Departments should use a style that fits the journal requirements for the field's key journals. Submissions should be composed using a single version of that style for all faculty. I mourn the massive loss to nitpickery of time to think and reflect.

Jafra

Thank you adamsmith and DWL-SDCA for your responses. DWL-SDCA, I appreciate your historical perspective.

Best wishes,
Jafra