AMA Citation Format: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction to AMA Citation Style

The American Medical Association (AMA) citation format is a widely used style for citing sources in medical research and other academic disciplines. It provides guidelines for formatting citations in the text and on a reference list, ensuring proper attribution to the original source of information. This article will discuss the necessary elements for citing sources in AMA style, in-text citations, and the structure of the reference list.

AMA In-Text Citations

In AMA style, in-text citations are used to give credit to the original source of information within the body of the paper. They should be cited numerically in consecutive order using superscript Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.)9. Here are some guidelines for in-text citations in AMA style:

  1. Use superscript Arabic numerals for in-text citations, with the numerals placed outside periods and commas, and inside colons and semicolons.
  2. Cite each source in numerical order, even if the same source is cited multiple times.
  3. For direct quotations, include the page number or range of relevant material in the source (e.g., p. 46).
  4. Multiple sources can be cited at one point, presented as a range or list (with no spaces).

For example, an in-text citation for a paraphrased statement would look like this: (Johnson, 2018).A direct quotation in-text citation would look like this: (Johnson, 2018, p. 42).

AMA Reference List

The reference list appears at the end of the paper and lists full information about all the sources cited in the text. References are presented in numerical order, based on the order in which they were first cited in the text5. Here are some guidelines for structuring the reference list:

  1. List the references as a numbered list, with each entry separated by a double newline.
  2. For books, list the author(s), title, edition (if not the first), publisher, place of publication, and publication year.
  3. For journal articles, list the author(s), title, journal title, volume, issue, page numbers, and publication date.
  4. For electronic sources, list the author(s), title, publication details (for websites, this includes the publisher, place of publication, and URL or DOI), and publication date (for electronic journals, this includes the publication date and volume and issue, if available).

Example of a book reference in AMA style: Author Last Name, Author First Name. Title of Book: Subtitle if Any. Edition if given and is not first, ed. Publisher’s Name, Place of Publication, Year of Publication.Example of a journal article reference in AMA style: Author Last Name, Author First Name. “Title of Article.” Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page Numbers, Publication Date.Example of an electronic source reference in AMA style: Author Last Name, Author First Name. “Title of Webpage.” Website Name, Date of Publication. Accessed, Date of Access.

Conclusion

Mastering the AMA citation format is essential for students and professionals in various academic disciplines. By following the guidelines provided by the American Medical Association, writers can ensure that their work is clear, concise, and properly attributed to the sources. Whether you are writing a research paper, an essay, or a scholarly article, understanding and implementing the AMA citation style will enhance the credibility and professionalism of your work.

To top