The AMA Citation Style Guide (10th ed.) is a comprehensive reference guide developed to align with the standards set by the American Medical Association for citing sources in medical and scientific writing. The guide provides detailed instructions on how to format citations and references for various types of sources. The AMA style ensures consistency and accuracy in scholarly publications. It is based on the AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors, 10th edition, published by Oxford University Press in 2007.
General Principles of Formatting
The AMA Manual of Style is not very specific about formatting requirements, and students should usually follow the instructions of their professors. If none are provided by the instructor, the following are the style recommendations.
- All text in an AMA-styled document should be double-spaced, including the title page, abstract, body text, and tables, except for the abstract and references, which should be single-spaced. This enhances the readability of the document.
- Like other formatting styles such as APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, Vancouver, and OSCOLA, the AMA style requires paper margins to be 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides. This provides a consistent and professional appearance to the document.
- Font Types and Sizes
- While any font type is acceptable, it is recommended to use a 12-point font size. The AMA style suggests using two typefaces—a serif font for body text and a sans serif font for titles and subheads—with appropriate styles like bold and italics to emphasize scholarly content.
- Page Numbers
- Every page of the document should be numbered, starting with the title page. Typically, page numbers are placed in the upper left corner of each page.
Papers written in AMA are required to have four sections:
- Title Page
- Abstract (structured or unstructured)
- Body (introduction, methods, results, discussion)
- References
AMA Title Page
AMA style does not have strict rules about formatting the title page; however, it should include several crucial
features:
- Title
- Authors’ Name
- Degrees (above bachelors)
- E-mail Addresses
- Institutional Affiliation
- Word Count (for text only, excluding title, abstract, references, tables, and figures)
Remember that every instructor may have his or her preferences when organizing the title page.
AMA Abstract Guide
Abstracts are written on a separate page.
In AMA style, the abstract is always placed on its own distinct page to ensure clarity and separation from the main content. This practice helps maintain the organization and professionalism of the document. It also allows readers to easily reference and locate the abstract without scrolling through the main text.
The word “Abstract” is written in UPPER CASE, left-justified, boldface, and has a triple space after it.
The heading “ABSTRACT” should be prominently displayed at the top of the page, using upper case letters to distinguish it from the rest of the text. It should be left-justified and bolded to stand out clearly. A triple-space should follow the word “Abstract,” creating a visual break before the abstract text begins.
The text on the abstract page is NOT indented.
Unlike the body of the document, the text within the abstract should not have any indentations. This format provides a clean and straightforward presentation of the abstract content. It ensures that the abstract is easily readable and visually distinct from other sections of the paper.
The sections of the abstract are single-spaced with double spaces between them.
Within the abstract, each section should be single-spaced to condense information efficiently. Double spaces should separate different sections to provide clear distinctions between them. This formatting helps maintain a structured and organized appearance, aiding in the reader’s comprehension.
Structured abstracts are used for original data, systematic reviews, and clinical reviews; they are usually limited to 250-300 words.
Structured abstracts, which include specific headings like Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions, are required for original research, systematic reviews, and clinical reviews. These abstracts provide a detailed and methodical overview of the study, ensuring that key information is succinctly presented. The word count for these abstracts typically ranges between 250 and 300 words to keep them concise yet informative.
Unstructured abstracts are used for every other manuscript and are limited to 150 words.
For other types of manuscripts, such as commentaries or case reports, an unstructured abstract is appropriate. These abstracts do not follow a specific format with headings and are generally brief. They are limited to 150 words, providing a quick summary of the content without detailed sectioning.
3-10 keywords should be placed after the abstract
Following the abstract, a list of 3 to 10 keywords should be provided. These keywords are crucial for indexing and search purposes, helping other researchers find the document in databases. Placing them right after the abstract ensures they are prominently displayed and easily accessible.
Headings
Level 1. Left-aligned, Bold, Uppercase, and Lowercase. Double Space After.
Level 2. Centered, Italicized, Uppercase, and Lowercase. Double Space After.
Reference List
The reference list is put on a separate page with the title “References” in bold and left-hand justified on the top of the page. Every source used in the body of the paper must appear in the reference list. Here is the list of
requirements for the organization of this page:
- All the references are numbered and listed in the order they appear in the body of the paper.
- Reference numbers are indented 0.25″.
- The reference page is single-spaced with double spaces between entries.
- Regardless of the type of source referenced, a comma is never inserted between the last name and the first name of the author.
- If a piece of information and/or idea is borrowed from a specific page or range of pages, numbers of the said pages should be identified at the end of the corresponding reference.
The authors’ last names are fully spelled. First name and middle name initials are put after the last name with no periods or commas between them.
Example:
1. Wolf ZR. Nursing practice breakdowns: Good and bad nursing. Medsurg Nursing. 2012;21(1):16-36
When identifying page numbers, be sure to put them in full without shortenings. In addition, there are no spaces after the year of publishing.
Example of an incorrect entry:
1. Riley JB. Communication in Nursing. 8th Ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. 2017: 111-7.
Example of a correct entry:
1. Riley JB. Communication in Nursing. 8th Ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. 2017:111-117.
Key Differences Between AMA Style Guide and APA Style Guide
| Aspects | AMA Style | APA Style |
| Discipline | Medicine and Health Sciences | Psychology, Social Sciences, and Education |
| Title Page | Title, Author, Degrees(Above bachelor), Email addresses, Affiliation, and word count | Title, author, affiliation, course, instructor, and date |
| Abstract | Structured for certain types- 250-300 words, unstructured-150 words | Structured or unstructured-150-250 words. |
| Margins | 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides | 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides |
| Font | Any Readable font, 12 pt; suggests serif | Times New Roman, 12 pt |
| Spacing | Double-spacing for the text; single-spacing within abstract and references | Double-spacing throughout |
| Headings | Used bold and italics for subheadings | Has level 1-5 with specific formats |
| In-text Citations | Numerical superscript (1,2,3) | Author-date format |
| References | Numerical order based on appearance in text | Alphabetical by author’s last name |
| Reference Format | Author(s). Title. Journal Name. Year;Volume(Issue) | Author(s). (Year). Title. Source |
| Page Numbers | Top left corner | Top right corner |
| Block Quotes | Not specifically defined, follows general formatting rules | Indented, no quotation marks |
| Keywords | 3-10 keywords required after abstract | Not mandatory, but often included in abstracts |
| DOI in References | Included, no specific format is required | Included, formatted as https://doi.org/… |
| Tables and Figures | Numbered, titled, notes often above | Numbered, titled notes below |
AMA EndNote Style
AMA EndNote is a powerful citation management software developed by Rowan University, designed to streamline the process of organizing and formatting references for research papers. Utilizing the American Medical Association (AMA) style, EndNote allows researchers to seamlessly integrate citations within their work using a combination of commas, spaces, and semicolons to clearly define sources. This structured approach ensures that all references are consistent and easy to follow, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity and readability of academic papers.
EndNote’s utility extends beyond mere citation formatting. It automates the organization of references, enabling researchers to import bibliographic data directly into their documents with ease. For example, a researcher working on a study about the effects of a new drug might use EndNote to create a customized library of sources, including journal articles, books, and websites. This library can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the study, allowing for quick and efficient retrieval of relevant information. Furthermore, EndNote’s customizable libraries and integration with word processing software like Microsoft Word ensure that references are formatted correctly according to AMA guidelines, significantly reducing the potential for errors. By automating these tasks, EndNote allows researchers to focus more on their actual research and writing, enhancing overall productivity and accuracy.
Tools for AMA Citation
Reference Management Software
Software like EndNote, Zotero, and Mendeley can help manage and format citations.
Online Citation Generators
Online tools like Citation Machine and BibMe can generate AMA citations.
References
Citing Books
When citing a book, a student is to provide authors’ last names as they appear on the book’s cover with initials. Commas are put between the authors’ names and a period is put after the last author’s name. After that, you are to state the book’s title in italics with capitalization. Then, the publication place and the publisher’s name are given. At the end of the entry, provide the year of the publication and page numbers when specific pages are cited.
One author
Example:
1. Drewett P. Field Archaeology: An Introduction. London, England: UCL Press; 2012.
Note:
- Locations in the U.S. or Canada: City, 2-letter State abbreviation.
- Locations outside the US: City, Country.
- Provide the name of the publisher after a colon, excluding Co. and Inc., which are not necessary for the identification of the publisher. However, do not omit the words Books and Press.
- Use a semicolon before providing the year of the publication.
- If the date of publication cannot be located, use the words “date unknown” in place of the date.
Two to six authors
Examples:
1. Greene J, Scott D. Finding Sand Creek. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press; 2004.
2. McNeil AJ, Frey R, Embrechts P. Quantitative Risk Management: Concepts, Techniques, and Tools. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press; 2015.
More than seven authors
Provide last names and initials for the first three authors of the work and add “et al.” after the third author.
Example:
1. Mehrer M, Flatman J, Flemming N, et al. GIS and Archaeological Site Location Modeling. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis; 2006.
Corporate/organization author
For corporate authors, AMA style offers to use the acronym (if applicable) instead of the full name.
Examples:
1. Ministry of Health. Future Directions for Eating Disorders Services in New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand: Author; 2008.
2. WorldatWork. WorldatWork Handbook of Compensation, Benefits, & Total Rewards: A Comprehensive
Guide for HR Professionals. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2007.
Unknown author
Example:
1. Alluvial Archaeology in Europe. New York, NY: Routledge; 2009.
Edited book, no author
In reference to an edited book with no author, move the editor name to the author position and follow it with the abbreviation ed. for one editor or eds. for multiple editors.
Example:
1. Palenchar M, Greenwald H, eds. The Management of Organizations: Responsibility for Performance. New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation; 2009.
Edited book with an author/authors
When citing an edited source, place the editor’s last name immediately after the book’s title, followed by the abbreviation ed. for one editor or eds. for multiple editors after a comma.
Example:
1. Calfee M. Strategic Issues Management: A Systems and Human Resources Approach. Emory KV, ed. Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass; 2011.
An author with a translator
When referencing a translated book, place the name(s) of the translator(s) immediately after the book’s title and add the abbreviation trans.
Example:
1. Leary P. Metaphors in the History of Psychology. Burt AW, Kernberg FL, trans. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press; 2009.
Different editions
Include information about the edition in immediately after the title. No italics or parentheses. Never indicate the first edition.
Example:
1. Shotton ML, Schiraldi G. The Need for Revision. 2nd ed. Chicago, IL: Dover; 2016.
Chapter in an edited book
When citing a chapter of an edited book, put the authors of the chapter in the author’s position and cite the name of the chapter without italics or capitalization. Enter the word In and state the editors’ names in general format followed by abbreviation ed. Please pay special attention to the page numbers as they are required for this type of source.
Example:
1. Wiener P. Gender issues across the globe. In Krugman AA, Kempe FD, eds. Gender Identity and Gender Politics. Frankfurt, Germany: Springer; 2013:134-146.
Multivolume work
Give volume number preceded by Vol / Vols with no period. End with a period.
Example:
1. Haybron DM. Perspectives on Piaget’s Theory. Vols 1–4. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2011.
Encyclopedia/dictionary
Example:
1. Graham T, ed. Encyclopedia of Psychology: The Great Discoveries. Vols 1–3. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO; 2009.
Note:
- When referencing a particular entry, it is acknowledged as a book chapter, and including page numbers is crucial for the citation.
- Ensure that the author of the entry is placed in the first position.
- If the author of the entry is unidentified, begin with the title of the entry.
Example:
1. Wallace RJ Jr, Griffith DE. Antimycobacterial agents. In: Kasper DL, Fauci AS, Longo DL, Braunwald E, Hauser SL, Jameson JL, eds. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 16th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2005:946.
Online book
Online books are cited as printed books with the addition of URL and access date.
Example:
1. Kolt GS, Andersen MB, eds. Psychology in the Physical and Manual Therapies. Edinburgh, Scotland: Churchill Livingstone; 2004. http://www.netLibrary.com/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=79424. Accessed January 24, 2019.
Online book (no date and publication place)
If you want to cite an electronic book but don’t know when or where it was published, give the name of the website, a URL, and the date you accessed it.
Example:
1. Kopf R. Low Blood Pressure—Hypotension Treated with Homeopathy and Schuessler Salts (Homeopathic Cell Salts). Booktrix. https://www.bookrix.com/_ebook-robert-kopf-low-blood-pressurehypotension-treated-with-homeopathy-and-schuessler-salts-homeopathic/. Accessed January 18, 2019.
Chapter in an online book or web document
Example:
1. National Research Center. Chapter 2: How teachers teach: Specific methods. In National Research Center. Science Teaching Reconsidered: A Handbook. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1997. https://www.nap.edu/read/5287/chapter/3. Accessed January 18, 2019.
Online encyclopedia/dictionary
When citing an online encyclopedia or dictionary, include the website’s name after the title of the work.
Example:
1. Kashmiri Shaiva philosophy. In Fieser J, Dowden B, eds. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. IEP. http://www.iep.utm.edu/kashmiri/. Accessed January 18, 2019.
Citing Articles in Periodicals
Scholarly journal article
Example:
1. Williams P. Emotions and consumer behavior. JCR. 2014;40(5):8–11.
Magazine article
Example:
1. Columbus L. Roundup of cloud computing forecasts and market estimates. Forbes Magazine. March 16, 2016:1–3.
Newspaper article
Example:
1. Gellman B, Nakashima E. US spy agencies mounted 231 offensive cyber operations in 2011, documents show. Washington Post. July 25, 2013:C3–C4.
Letter to the editor of a magazine
Example:
1. Jenkins J. It’s time for the President to take responsibility for his words and actions [Letter to the editor]. The Washington Post. January, 2017;233:17.
Review article
There are no special rules for citing review articles in AMA citation style. Therefore, students are to use the general format for citing articles.
Example:
1. Raab J. Extending Our Knowledge on Network Governance. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory. 2013;24(2):531-535.
Abstract
You may use the abstract only if the full article is not available. If you are citing the abstract as part of the full article, cite the full article without any additions. Otherwise, add information about the abstract in square brackets including the number of the abstract or the citation of the journal it originally came from.
Example:
1. Elner VM, Hassan AS, Frueh BR. Graded full-thickness anterior blepharotomy for upper eyelid retraction [abstract taken from Arch Ophthalmol. 2004;122(1):55-60]. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2004;6(4):277.
Article in an online journal (DOI)
According to the 10th edition of the AMA Style Guide, it is advisable to provide a DOI of an article if it is available. There is only one accepted format of DOI that is put after the page numbers: doi:0000000/000000000000
Example:
1. Baldwin DS, Anderson IM, Nutt DJ. Evidence-based pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder: A revision of the 2005 guidelines from the British Association for Psychopharmacology. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 2014;28(5):403–439. doi:10.1177/0269881114525674
Article in an online journal (without DOI)
When citing online journals with no DOI, AMA requires students to state the URL, published or last updated date, and the access date.
Example:
1. Round J. Apocatastasis: Redefining tropes of the Apocalypse in Neil Gaiman and Dave Mckean’s Signal to Noise. International Online Journal of Comic Art. 2015;15.http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/26013/. Published January 9, 2017. Accessed January 18, 2019.
Online newspaper/magazine article
Example:
1. Tuchman P. How do you sell a work of art built into the earth? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/arts/design/robert-smithson-earthwork-art.html?smid=plshare&_r=0. Published January 27, 2017. Accessed January 18, 2019.
Online book review
There are no special rules for citing online book reviews in AMA citation style. Therefore, you are to use the general format for citing articles
Example:
1. Ascher M. But I thought the earth belonged to the living. Texas Law Review. 2011;89(2):1149–1177. http://www.texaslrev.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Ascher-89-TLR-1149.pdf. Accessed January 18, 2019.
Note:
- Alternatively, provide a DOI instead of a link.
- If the publication date is unknown, avoid the section.
Citing Dissertations and Theses
Dissertation/thesis
The general format for dissertations and theses is as follows:
Author AA. Title of Work.[Dissertation or master’s thesis]. Location: Institution; Year. If the thesis is available online, add the URL, publication date (if available), and access date.
Examples:
1. Patel B. A Computational Pipeline to Uncover Genomic Regulatory Regions That Modulate the WNT Signaling Pathway. [Undergraduate thesis]. Stanford, CA: Stanford University; 2016.
2. Patel B. A Computational Pipeline to Uncover Genomic Regulatory Regions That Modulate the WNT Signaling Pathway. [Undergraduate thesis]. Stanford, CA: Stanford University; 2016. https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/jz288sd3151. Accessed January 18, 2019.
Citing Learning Environment
Online lecture notes/presentation slides
When referencing lectures, use the professor’s name in the role of the author. Avoid using italics in the titles of lectures.
Examples:
- Arnold D. Functional analysis [Class lectures]. Stanford, CA: Stanford University; 2016. http://wwwusers.math.umn.edu/~arnold/502.s97/functional.pdf. Accessed January 18, 2019.
AMA style allows putting an author’s or a presenter’s name in the author’s position when citing presentations.
- Pomije B. Online shopping. Presented at: Class lecture, January 9, 2011; Stanford, CA. http://www.slideshare.net/pobr0702/online-shopping-presentation-10492184. Accessed January 18, 2019
Citing Web Sources
Page from website
Example:
- Preston J. John Preston on the Thorpe affair. Penguin Books. https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/onwriting/why-i-write/2016/john-preston-on-the-thorpe-affair/. Published 2017. Accessed January 18, 2019
Page from the website with an unknown author
Example:
- How sibling rivalry made Anne the ‘neglected’ Brontë. Penguin Books.https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/on-writing/times-and-life/2017/jan/how-sibling-rivalry-made-anne-theother-bronte/. Published 2017. Accessed January 18, 2019.
Page from the website. Organization
When citing a webpage from an organization’s website, put the organization’s name after the title of the webpage instead of the name of the website.
Example:
- WHO statement on reports of alleged misconduct. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/17-01-2019-who-statement-on-reports-of-alleged-misconduct/. Published January 17, 2019. Accessed January 18, 2019.
Blog
There are no special rules for citing blog posts; therefore, AMA citation suggests using the general format for websites.
Example:
- Cush A. You’ll never guess who’s angry about CNN “deceptively” editing a video of Sylville Smith’s sister. Gawker. http://gawker.com/youll-never-guess-whos-angry-about-cnn-deceptively-ed1785416442. Published August 17, 2016. Accessed January 17, 2019.
Video or film
AMA citation style allows putting a director’s or a producer’s name in the author’s position. Make sure to put a medium in square brackets.
Example:
- Nguyen H, Solanki V. Caffeinated: Every Cup of Coffee Has a Story [Amazon Streaming]. United States: Film Buff; 2015.
Podcast/YouTube
When citing a video, provide the author only if you are sure that the person created the video. Do not list the person posting the video online as the author. If you are unsure, treat the citation as having no author.
Example:
- Alcock P. Electromagnetic levitation quadcopter [Video]. YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCON4zfMzjU. Published June 29, 2012. Accessed January 17, 2019.
Personal communication / Unpublished material
Personal communication and unpublished material are not included in the reference list. However, a parenthetical in-text citation is a must.
Examples:
(K. Dawson, personal communication, April 2010).
In a conversation with Dr. Smith (October 2009)…
As described in recent literature (H. E. Marman, MD, unpublished data, January 2005)…
Citing Governmental Sources
Government publication
- United States Congress House Committee on Energy and Commerce. DOE for the 21st century: Science, Environment, and National Security Missions. E&C Publication No. 114–119. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Publishing Office. Published November 16, 2017.
AMA In-text citations
Superscripts are used in AMA citation style to acknowledge the original author of an idea or piece of information that a student has borrowed. The superscript number goes to the left of colons and semicolons and to the right of periods, commas, and quote marks. When citing sources in a sentence, use distinct superscript numbers to give due credit to each source.
Example:
The engineer announced that the house was built on solid ground; however, the observers doubted that. When using direct quotations, the superscript number is put outside the quotation marks.
Example:
“The role of obesity on the development of allergic rhinitis is not well defined, whereas allergic rhinitis may have an impact on obesity.”1
If the direct quotation is four lines or longer, it should be indented and put into a distinct section with a reduced type. In this case, no quotation marks are needed.
Example:
The report states:
Allergic diseases, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, are prevalent long-term inflammatory conditions affecting the airways. Obesity is a prevalent condition in children and is associated with a higher likelihood of developing asthma. Obese individuals with asthma often experience more severe symptoms and do not respond effectively to conventional asthma treatments. Conversely, children who have asthma may have a heightened susceptibility to obesity, indicating that there is a mutual connection between asthma and obesity.1
When citing the same source more than once, include the page number in the reference in parentheses.
Example:
The engineer announced that the house was built on solid ground.1(14)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AMA citation style?
AMA citation style is a format developed by the American Medical Association, primarily used in medical and scientific writing.
Why is AMA citation style important?
It ensures consistency, clarity, and credibility in scholarly and professional documents.
How do you cite a book in AMA style?
Include the author’s name, book title, edition, place of publication, publisher, and year.
What is the correct format for citing a journal article in AMA style?
List the author’s name, article title, journal name, year, volume, issue, and page numbers.
Can AMA citation style be used for electronic sources?
Yes, AMA style includes guidelines for citing websites, online reports, blogs, and social media.
What are some common mistakes to avoid in AMA citation?
Avoid incorrect formatting, omissions, and misplacement of references.