A Guide to AMA Style: Formatting, Citations, and Reference List

What is AMA Style?

AMA Style, or American Medical Association Style, is a writing format or citation style used mainly in the medical and scientific fields. It provides guidelines on how to cite sources, format references, and structure papers. 

In 2020, the Journal of the American Medical Association published the 11th edition of the AMA Manual of Style, which is the latest version available.

The goal of AMA Style is to ensure clear and consistent communication in research and professional writing. Whether you’re writing a research paper, a journal article, or a thesis, AMA Style helps keep your work organized and credible.

Basics of AMA Style Formatting

Understanding AMA Style formatting is essential for making your paper look professional. It has specific rules that help organize your content clearly. 

Let’s dive into the general formatting rules first:

General Formatting Rules:

• Page Layout: Use single-spacing for your text. This helps keep your paper neat and easy to read.
• Header/Footer: Include a header with the title of your paper and a footer with page numbers.
• Margins: Set one-inch margins on all sides of your document.
• Font Recommendations: Use a clear font, like Times New Roman, at a 12-point size for easy reading.

• References Section: Title this section "References" and list all your sources in numerical order, corresponding to the order they appear in your text.

Unique AMA Formatting Rules:

AMA Style stands out from other citation styles like APA or MLA. Here are some key differences:

• Numbered References: Instead of using author-date citations, AMA uses numbers to reference sources. For example, you might write, “Smith reported findings,” followed by the reference number in superscript (e.g., ¹).
• Consistent Formatting: AMA has specific guidelines for formatting journal titles, article titles, and author names, making it easy to follow a uniform style.

Structuring the AMA Reference List

Creating a well-organized reference list is key to following AMA Style. This section will guide you through how to properly order and format your references.

How to List References

In AMA Style, references should be listed in the order they appear in your text, not alphabetically. This means that the first source you cite gets the number 1, the second source gets the number 2, and so on. 

This makes it easy for readers to find the sources you mention as they read through your paper. Here are some important formatting rules for your reference list:

• Title: Center and bold the title "References" at the top of the section.
• Spacing: Use single-spacing for each entry, but include a double space between entries. This helps keep everything clear and readable.

Different Types of References in AMA Style

Now, let’s look at how to format different types of references in AMA Style:

Author Names in AMA Style

When it comes to listing author names in AMA Style, following the specific guidelines is essential for maintaining consistency and clarity in your references. 

Let’s break down the rules for listing authors and cover some special cases that you might encounter.

Guidelines for Listing Authors

1. Initials: Always include the last name followed by the first and middle initials without any punctuation between them. For example, write “Smith J A” instead of “Smith, J. A.”
2. Punctuation: Use a comma to separate multiple authors in a single citation. For example: “Smith J A, Johnson R B, Lee C K.”
3. Abbreviations: When including designations like "Jr." or "Sr.," place them after the author's name without additional punctuation. For example: “Doe J S Jr.”

Special Cases

There are a few unique situations to consider when listing authors:

• Identical Names: If you have authors with the same last name and initials, include the middle initial if available. If they are still identical, you may need to provide their full first names to distinguish them.
• Multiple Authors (et al.): If there are more than six authors, list the first three authors followed by “et al.” This shows that there are additional authors without listing everyone. For example: “Smith J A, Johnson R B, Lee C K, et al.”
• Corporate Authors: If a corporation, organization, or group is the author, list the full name of the organization as the author. For example: “American Heart Association.”

• Non-Western Names: When dealing with names from non-Western cultures, be mindful of their naming conventions. For instance, some cultures list the family name first. In such cases, retain the order as provided by the author to respect their naming tradition.
• Institutional Authors: If an institution is cited as the author, write the full name of the institution as you would with corporate authors. For example: “World Health Organization.”

Key Bibliographic Elements in AMA Citations

When creating a citation in AMA Style, it’s important to include all the key elements for clarity and accuracy. Let’s break down the structure of a citation entry and discuss how to use punctuation effectively.

Structure of a Citation Entry

Every citation consists of several main elements. Here’s what you need to include:

1. Authors: List the last name and initials without punctuation. For example: “Smith J A.”
2. Title: Use sentence case for the title of the article or book. Only capitalize the first word and proper nouns. For example: “Understanding heart disease.”
3. Journal Title: Italicize the journal title and use title case. For example: “Journal of Medicine.”
4. Volume: Include the volume number right after the journal title, followed by the issue number in parentheses if applicable. For example: “2024;12(3):45-50.”
5. Page Range: Indicate the page range of the article. For example: “45-50.”
6. DOI: If available, include the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) for easier access to the source. For example: “doi:10.1234/jm.2024.045.”

Punctuation and Grouping

Using the correct punctuation helps clarify the citation. Here’s when to use different marks:

• Commas: Use commas to separate elements within the same bibliographic group, like author names. For example: “Smith J A, Johnson R B.”
• Semicolons: Use semicolons between different bibliographic groups, like between multiple references. For example: “Smith J A; Johnson R B.”
• Colons: Use colons before the publisher’s name and between the title and subtitle. For example: “Title: A Comprehensive Guide.”

H3 Including Additional Information

Sometimes you may want to add extra details in your citations. Here’s how:

• Editions for Books: If you’re citing a specific edition, mention it right after the title. For example: “The Heart: A Comprehensive Guide. 2nd ed.”
• Translators or Editors: If a book has a translator or editor, include their names in the citation. For example: “Johnson R B, trans. Understanding Heart Disease.”

Special Cases

Handling unusual sources requires some attention. Here are tips for these cases:

• Databases: If citing a database, provide the name of the database and any relevant details. For example: “PubMed. Cardiovascular diseases.”
• Government Documents: Include the issuing agency as the author. For example: “U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Cardiovascular health report.”
• Translated Works: When citing a translated work, list the original author, followed by the translator’s name. For example: “Doe J. Heart Disease in Perspective. Smith T, trans. New York, NY: Health Press; 2024.”

Citing Online Sources in AMA Style

In today's digital age, citing online sources is essential for academic and professional writing. Let’s see how to properly cite online articles and websites, so you can confidently reference digital content.

Citing Online Articles and Websites

When you're referencing online materials, there are some specific guidelines to follow. Here’s how to do it:

• Online Journal Articles:
  Format your citation similar to print articles but include the DOI or URL. For example:
  Smith J A. Understanding heart disease. Journal of Medicine. 2024;12(3):45-50. doi:10.1234/jm.2024.045.
• Web Pages:
  Include the author (if available), title, website name, and the URL. For example:
  World Health Organization. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds). Accessed October 29, 2024.
• Blogs:
  Treat blogs similarly to articles, including the author, title, website name, and URL. For example:
  Johnson R. Heart health tips. Health Blog. Available from: https://www.healthblog.com/heart-health-tips. Accessed October 29, 2024.

Formatting for Digital Content

There are some specific formatting rules to remember when citing online sources:

• Access Dates:
  Include the access date for all online sources, especially if the content may change. For example: “Accessed October 29, 2024.”
• URLs:
  Always provide the complete URL for the source. Avoid using shortened links.
• DOIs:
  If available, always include the DOI instead of the URL, as DOIs are more stable and reliable. For example: “doi:10.1234/jm.2024.045.”

Social Media and Digital Resources

Citing social media and other digital content might seem tricky, but it’s straightforward once you know the format. Here’s how to handle it:

• Social Media Posts:
  Include the author’s name, the platform (like Twitter or Facebook), the post content, and the date. For example:
  Smith J A. "Heart health is crucial." Twitter. October 15, 2024. Available from: https://twitter.com/jasmith/status/123456789.
• Online Videos:
  List the creator or author, title, platform (like YouTube), and URL. For example:
  Health Organization. Understanding heart disease. YouTube. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcdefg. Accessed October 29, 2024.
• Webinars:
  For webinars, include the presenter’s name, title of the webinar, organization, and date. For example:
  Doe J. Cardiovascular health strategies. Presented at: Health Conference; October 10, 2024. Available from: https://www.healthconference.com/webinar.

In-Text Citations in AMA Style

In-text citations in AMA Style are straightforward once you get the hang of them. They use superscript numbers to refer to the sources in your reference list, keeping your writing clean and organized. 

Let’s break down how to do it right.

• Using Superscript Numbers:
  Place the superscript number immediately after the relevant text or idea. For example: “Heart disease is a leading cause of death.^1”
• Multiple Citations:
  If citing multiple sources, use commas for non-sequential references (1,3) or a hyphen for sequential ones (1-3).
• Avoiding Citation Misplacement:
  Remember not to place superscripts directly after numbers (e.g., “2 patients” should not have a citation immediately after the 2). This helps prevent confusion!

Parenthetical Citations in AMA

Parenthetical citations are a bit different in AMA Style. They are mainly used for sources that aren’t included in your references list, like unpublished materials or personal communications. 

Here’s how to use them correctly.

• When to Use:
  Use parenthetical citations for sources not listed in the references, such as personal interviews or conversations.
• Formatting:
  Structure your citation with the author’s name, year, and page number if applicable. For example: (Smith, 2024, p. 10).
• Common Mistakes:
  Avoid using parenthetical citations for items in your reference list. Also, make sure to include page numbers or URLs when relevant to guide your readers!

AMA Style Examples

To grasp AMA Style better, let’s explore some practical examples. These will show you how to structure citations and references for different sources, whether it's a journal article, a book, or an online resource. 

Here are some AMA Style pdf examples:

In conclusion, understanding the AMA style is important for writing in fields like medicine and health. This guide has covered the key points, including formatting, citations, and creating a reference list.

 Whether you're working on a research paper or an article, following these guidelines will improve your work. Don’t forget to check resources like cheat sheets for quick help. 

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