What is Nature Referencing?

Nature referencing is a system used to show where an author’s work has contributed to a new research paper. There are many referencing styles out there, but Nature references are standardised for research submitted to articles and publications by Nature Publishing Group.

Nature format is comprised of two parts: the in-text citation and the full reference at the end of the paper. The in-text citation is presented simply as a number and correlates to the full reference in the reference list. This system allows the reader to see where another author’s work has contributed to the paper and then find more information about the source.

How to Nature reference

Nature references are made up of a citation and a full reference. A Nature citation is a number that is shown at the particular point within the text where the source has contributed. The numbers should be sequential from the start to the end of the paper, starting with 1.

A full Nature reference should be found in a reference list or bibliography at the end of the research paper and include all the information needed to find the exact source of the information, theory or finding that has contributed. The full references are also numbered sequentially to help the reader to easily find the correct source information.

The format of a Nature reference changes depending on the source type. For example, a book should be referenced differently to a website or journal article.

A lot to think about? Generate your Nature references using Cite This For Me’s reference and citation generator. Simply search for the book, journal or website you want to reference, set it to the correct style and have all your Nature references generated automatically for you.

Popular Nature style Citation Examples

How to cite a Book in Nature style


Use the following template to cite a book using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Author Surname, Author Initial. Title. Pages Used (Publisher, Year Published).

Example:

1.Challoner, R. The Holy Bible. cf. 1 Cor. 15:35–44, 1 John 3:2

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

be enabled to do what Jesus could with his glorified body 1



How to cite a Journal in Nature style


Use the following template to cite a journal using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Author Surname, Author Initial. Title. Publication Title Volume number, Pages Used (Year Published).

Example:

1.Jackson, S. Towards a historical sociology of housework: A materialist feminist analysis. Women's Studies International Forum 15, 153-172 (2014).

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

Women were transformed into housewives as a result of men's successful defense of patriarchal privileges under changing economic and social conditions. 1



How to cite Film or Movie in Nature style


Use the following template to cite a film or movie using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Title. (Publisher, Year Published).

Example:

1.Judgement Day. (ABC News, 2010).

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

'One of Australia's worst environmental disasters' 1



How to cite an Online image or video in Nature style


Use the following template to cite an online image or video using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Author Surname, Author Initial. Title. (Year Published). at <http://Website URL>

Example:

1.Brett Novak - Filmer. Skater. Hopeful Creator.,. Shepard Fairey: Obey This Film. (2014). at <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcSBr4ZKmrQ>

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

someone who typified the antithesis of Bush views; it made sense to support that person 1



How to cite a Website in Nature style


Use the following template to cite a website using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Author Surname, Author Initial. Title. (Year Published). at <http://Website URL>

Example:

1.International.gc.ca,. Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA). (2014). at <http://international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/korea-coree/overview-apercu.aspx?lang=eng>

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

“Port Metro Vancouver is very pleased with the conclusion of a free trade agreement between Canada and South Korea. This is an important step forward in the growing trade relationship between our two countries. South Korea is the port of Vancouver’s third-largest trading partner in Asia, with trade involving more than 200,000 containers per year and including commodities such as grain from the Prairies and natural resources from British Columbia. This trade liberalization agreement will further increase the $10 billion in annual two-way trade between Canada and South Korea, creating jobs and driving economic growth across Canada.” Robin Silvester, President and CEO of Port Metro Vancouver 1


Additional Nature style Citation Examples

How to cite a Blog in Nature style


Use the following template to cite a blog using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Author Surname, Author Initial. Title. Publication Title (Year Published). at <http://Website URL>

Example:

1.Chapter 8: Segmenting & Targeting Markets. The Walt Disney Company (2011). at <http://thewaltdisneyco.blogspot.com/2011/11/chapter-8-segmenting-targeting-markets.html>

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

Disney theme parks were built for the whole family to enjoy and they do a fine job stressing that. 1



How to cite a Court case in Nature style


Use the following template to cite a court case using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Title. Document Title/Name Volume number, Pages Used (Year Published).

Example:

1.Re C (Adult, refusal of treatment). WLR 290, (1994).

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

The fact that a person has a mental illness does not automatically mean they lack capacity to make a decision about medical treatment.
Patients who have capacity (that is, who can understand, believe, retain and weigh the necessary information) can make their own decisions to refuse treatment, even if those decisions appear irrational to the doctor or may place the patient’s health or their life at risk. 1



How to cite a Dictionary entry in Nature style


Use the following template to cite a dictionary entry using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Author Surname, Author Initial. Title. Publication Title Pages Used (Year Published). at <http://Website URL>

Example:

1.Dictionary.com - philosophy. Dictionary.com Unabridged (2014). at <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/philosophy?s=t>

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct. 1



How to cite an E-book or PDF in Nature style


Use the following template to cite an e-book or pdf using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Author Surname, Author Initial. Title. Pages Used (Publisher, Year Published). at <http://Website URL>

Example:

1.Guang, G., Su, H. & Lee, J. (2010). at <http://web.cs.ucdavis.edu/~rogaway/classes/188/fall10/p4.pdf>

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

Week 1
For example, a study in The Chinese University of Hong Kong concluded that heavy internet users were more likely to develop health Problems, they were also the least likely to seek medical treatment and had fewer friends and romantic relationships 1



How to cite an Edited book in Nature style


Use the following template to cite an edited book using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Title. Pages Used (Publisher, Year Published).

Example:

1.Horace: The Odes. I.37 Cleopatra (2003).

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

And she dared to gaze at her fallen kingdom
with a calm face, and touch the poisonous asps
with courage, so that she might drink down
their dark venom, to the depths of her heart, 1



How to cite an Email in Nature style


Use the following template to cite an email using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Author Surname, Author Initial. Title. (Year Published).

Example:

1.Stanhope, C. semester 1 Science Water Assignment. (2014).

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

This email had an attachment which was the source I used. The source was a word document! 1



How to cite an Encyclopedia article in Nature style


Use the following template to cite an encyclopedia article using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Author Surname, Author Initial. Title. Publication Title Pages Used (Year Published).

Example:

1.(2011).

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

“……the threat of “water wars” is likely to increase as the human population grows” 1



How to cite an Interview in Nature style


Use the following template to cite an interview using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Author Surname, Author Initial. Title. (Year Published).

Example:

1.Rodgers, M. CDR Interview. (2014).

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

In the life of a child there are certain times, known as critical periods, for physical, emotional, and intellectual development.  If a child's development is not encouraged- if critical windows of opportunities are missed- there are serious negative consequences for that child's development. CDR opens windows of opportunity for young children and their families through early intervention, childcare and development, and training for early intervention and early childhood professionals. 1



How to cite a Magazine in Nature style


Use the following template to cite a magazine using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Author Surname, Author Initial. Title. Publication Title Pages Used (Year Published). at <http://Website URL>

Example:

1.Cooper, C. Is it time for Australia to revisit the GST?. IntheBlack 2 (2014). at <http://www.itbdigital.com/opinion/2014/03/04/is-it-time-for-australia-to-revisit-the-gst/>

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

The Grattan Institute has proposed a package of reforms which it says could add about A$37 billion a year to the bottom line of Australian Government budgets, including about A$13 billion annually from the GST. 1



How to cite a Newspaper in Nature style


Use the following template to cite a newspaper using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Author Surname, Author Initial. Title. Publication Title Pages Used (Year Published). at <http://Website URL>

Example:

1.Bangkok Post,. SIMPLE IS GOOD IN ACCOUNTING, BUT WHAT IS SIMPLICITY’S ENEMY?. (2014).

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

To maintain consistency and avoid ambiguity, the language of accounting also needs to apply the same principles as standards for communication. 1



How to cite a Podcast in Nature style


Use the following template to cite a podcast using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Author Surname, Author Initial. Title. Publication Title (Year Published). at <http://Website URL>

Example:

1.MBC Global,. Classic Banter (2014).

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

I'll get you one on Friday 1



How to cite a Song in Nature style


Use the following template to cite a song using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Author Surname, Author Initial. Title. (Publisher, Year Published). at <http://Website URL>

Example:

1.Wonder, S. Sir Duke. (Motown, 1977).

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

Music is a world within itself 
With a language we all understand 1



How to cite The Bible in Nature style


Use the following template to cite The Bible using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Title,. Pages Used (Publisher, Year Published).

Example:

1.The Bible,.

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28.19). 1



How to cite a TV Show in Nature style


Use the following template to cite a TV Show using the Nature citation style.

Reference List

Place this part in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your assignment.

Template:

1.Title. (Year Published).

Example:

1.Leaky Boats Documentary. (2011).

In-text citation

Place this part right after the quote or reference to the source in your assignment.

Template:

1

Example:

But we will decide who comes to this country and the circumstances in which they come 1