The AMA format, created by the American Medical Association, is a citation style used for research writing in the medical field. Along with the NLM format, the AMA Manual of Style is one of the most commonly used citation styles for medical writing.
Many medical journals and schools require writers to use the AMA style to cite sources and references. So what does AMA citation involve, and how can you make sure your paper follows these guidelines correctly?
Learn the rules of AMA citation with this simple guide.
Let’s dive in!
AMA In-Text Citations
An AMA in-text citation is a small superscript number that appears when you mention a source in your text. This number matches an entry on the reference list at the end of your paper.
Here are the rules for citing in different situations:
- Single Citation
When you mention an idea or fact from one specific source, it's a single citation. Place a number at the end of the sentence or after the source is mentioned in the sentence. Put these numbers outside of periods and commas but inside colons and semicolons.
Example: The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is rising globally, affecting millions of people.1 |
- Multiple Citations
When citing multiple sources, use commas to separate the numbers and list them in numerical order.
Example: Recent studies2,4 have shown conflicting results regarding the efficacy of the drug in treating hypertension. |
If you need to cite multiple sources at the same point, you can use a range with an en dash (for two or more consecutive numbers: 1–3) or a list with commas (for non-consecutive numbers: 1,4,8). Do not use any spaces between the numbers.
Example: The research findings varied widely, drawing on studies from different perspectives.1–3,6 |
- Direct Quotes
When quoting directly, include the page number along with the superscript number. If you need to include page numbers, add them in parentheses after the citation number, without any spaces. Use "p" for a single page, and "pp" for a range or a list of pages.
Example: According to Smith, "The impact of the intervention was statistically significant".3(p45) |
AMA References
The reference list is where you provide the full details about each source you cited in the text. Here are the rules for formatting the reference list in the AMA style:
- The reference list should appear at the end of your paper, on a separate page. Title it "References".
- Keep the margins, text size, and text style the same as the rest of the paper.
- Each entry should be numbered. List the entries in the same order as they appear in the text. Do not alphabetize or group them by source type.
- Do not use a hanging indent.
Different types of sources are formatted and referenced differently. Here are the most common types of sources and how to format them in an AMA reference list:
Book
Format: Author(s) last name Initials. Book Title: Subtitle. Edition (if not the first). Publisher; Year.
Example:
1. Conrad P, Gallagher EB. Health and Health Care in Developing Countries: Sociological Perspectives. 2nd ed. Temple University Press; 1993. |
Journal Article
Format: Author(s) last name Initials. Article title. Journal Title. Year;volume(issue):page range. doi:DOI.
Example:
2. Nandita S, Bhardwaj A, Singh R, et al. Carpal tunnel syndrome: A review. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2020;11(6):1016-1022. doi:10.1016/j.jcot.2020.07.001. |
Website
Format: Author(s) or organization name. Title of webpage. Name of website. URL. Published date. Updated date. Accessed date.
Example:
3. World Health Organization. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019. Published 2020. Updated April 6, 2021. Accessed April 7, 2021. |
Chapter in a Book
Format: Author(s) of chapter last name Initials. Chapter title. In: Editor(s) of book last name Initials, eds. Book Title: Subtitle. Edition (if not the first). Publisher; Year:page range.
Example:
4. Kohn LT, Corrigan JM, Donaldson MS. To err is human: Building a safer health system. In: Kohn LT, Corrigan JM, Donaldson MS, eds. To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System. National Academy Press; 2000:1-16. |
Here’s an example of an AMA format reference page:
AMA Page Formatting
Besides citing your sources correctly, you also need to format your paper according to the AMA style. Although most AMA journals and institutions have their own specific formatting requirements, here are some general guidelines you can follow:
- Use a standard font, such as Times New Roman or Calibri, in 12-point size.
- Use double spacing throughout the paper.
- Use 1-inch margins on all sides of the page.
- Use a half-inch first line indent when beginning new paragraphs.
- Include a title page with the full title of the paper, author name, affiliations, and any other relevant information required by your instructor or journal.
- Include an abstract (if required) on a separate page, with a brief summary of your paper's purpose, methods, results, and conclusions (no more than 250 words).
- Add page numbers on the top-right corner, starting from the title page. Check specific header and running head instructions provided by your instructor or journal and follow them.
- Visually differentiate different levels of headings. Ask for specific guidelines if necessary.
The AMA format does not provide detailed guidelines for page formatting, so institutions and journals usually define these specifics. Always make sure to check the page formatting guidelines of your targeted journal.
Wrapping up,
By following these guidelines for AMA in-text citations, references, and page formatting, you'll be well-equipped to produce clear, accurate, and professionally presented medical research papers.
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