Basic Writing Style for References

This page describes the basic writing style for references in the ISIJ Journals.
Please refer to it when preparing your manuscript.

In addition, we have prepared a reference checklist for the author’s proofreading. This checklist can also be used when preparing the manuscript.

Basic writing Style for journal references (September 20, 2023) Reference notation proofreading checklist (for the authors) (August 16, 2023)

1．Journal articles

(1) Basic format

*1 Author name: Provide initials for first and middle names. List all authors; the same applies to the other references listed below.
*2 Use a colon (:) to separate the author name and journal name; the same applies to the other references listed below.
*3 Journal name: Write the journal names with two or more words in italics using the abbreviation method based on ISO 4 (do not abbreviate if there is only one word). Please refer to the journal abbreviation example list.
*4 Volume number: Use the bold format.
*5 Page number: Write only the first page number ([article number] if the page number is not a volume serial or issue serial page number).
*6 Language notation: Write only if the reference is not in English (the same applies to the other references listed below).
*7 DOI: Write the reference URL of the DOI beginning with https:// (a period at the end is not necessary).

（2）Rare formats (The number of listed items may increase depending on the journal’s specifications.)

*8 Issue number： This is only required when the page number is for each issue, not when it is a volume serial. Additionally, for supplements, write “Suppl.”
*9 Media display： This is required when the reference to be cited is not on a paper-based medium and does not have a DOI or URL. Write the name of the medium, for example, CD-ROM.
*10 URL：If the reference does not have a DOI but has a URL that can identify bibliographic information, include the access date because it is often not a permanent identifier.

2．Books ※includes international conference proceedings in addition to books.

(1) Basic format

*1 Book title: Unlike the case of journals, do not mention abbreviations. Roman type.
(In the case of a Japanese title with no official English title, describe Japanese title using Hepburn romanization (romaji) and English translation in parentheses should be included.)
*2 Accompanying information: Separate the information such as the volume number, revised version, or international conference abbreviations in the case of international conference proceedings by commas.
*3 Editor name: Write the name of the editor preceded by “ed. by”. For multiple editors, “et al.” may be used. If the editor and publisher were the same, then list only the publisher.
*4 Publisher location: Not required if it is unknown.
*5 Page number: Write only the first page number (if book serial page numbering is absent, list it for identifying the page).
*6 Language notation: Write only for non-English references.
*7 DOI or ISBN: Write the URL of the DOI starting with https://. List the ISBN of the book if the DOI is unavailable.

（2）Rare formats

1. When the name of the translator is known: Write “trans. by” followed by the translator’s name after the original author’s name (see Ex. 2 on the previous table).
2. When the DOI, ISBN, or URL are not known and the reference is not published on a paper medium, list the type of medium, such as CD-ROM (refer to Ex. 6 listed below).
3. When the page number is not known but the reference has an online version (e.g., proceedings), list the URL instead of the page number and include the access date (refer to Ex. 7 listed below).
4. Databases and software used should not be cited in the references but should be mentioned in the paper. If they can be cited as references, it is recommended that the notations of Ex. 8 listed below should be used (database or software name, version, provider name, provider location, (year of publication)).

3．Academic theses

Master’s theses are not accepted as references, but international master’s theses can be accepted as references if they are open to the public, and their content can be confirmed by the general public.

Basic format

4．Standards

Basic format　※Standards are written according to the following format.

5．Websites

According to the Instructions to Authors, “URL citations that are judged to be continuous and of reliable public organizations/agencies are permitted only if documents are not officially published or are difficult to obtain. In such cases, provide the (title of the document), the (publication date), URL, (accessed date).”

Basic format

6．Others

We introduce other various and easily mistaken notation examples.
Note that “manuscript in preparation,” “submitted,” “to be published,” “unpublished research,” “private communication,” and similar notations are not permitted. Mention it in the text if you wish to cite it.

Reference notation proofreading checklist

This is a reference notation checklist for proofreading.
Please refer to “Basic writing style for journal references” for details.