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AMA-Style Citations and References
This Web page is divided into two parts dealing with (1) in-text documentation and (2) the reference list.
These summary guidelines are only intended to address common mistakes. The AMA Manual of Style is recommended as a comprehensive guide for research writers. Citations to the applicable section of the AMA Manual of Style are given in brackets next to section heads.
Direct quotes [2.12.6]
All direct quotes (those that appear within quotation marks) must be cited with the appropriate reference number AND, within parentheses, the page numbers from which the text was copied.
Example 1:
The report further cited "lingering confusion about the vaccination program's aims."22(p5-6)
Example 2:
He points out that although these works are at risk for "traumatic injuries, noise-induced hearing loss, needle sticks, hydrogren sulfide and carbon monoxide poisonings, and infectious
diseases,"16(p586) respiratory illness is the most recognized occupational risk.
Data not accepted for publication [2.12.47]
Do not include material that has not been accepted for publication elsewhere in the list of references. Instead, an in-text "unpublished data" citation is used with the material's date.
Example 1:
Similar studies were conducted by Calgaro4 and P. Jafari, MD (unpublished data, 2005).
Example 2:
These findings have recently been corroborated (P. Jafari, MD, unpublished data, January 2005).
Example 3:
Numerious studies3-8 (also P. Jafari, MD, unpublished data, 2005) have reached similar conclusions.
Personal communication [2.12.47]
Personal communication is only cited within the text, not in the reference list, because it is unpublished. The date of communication (month and year) and the mode of communication (written or oral) must be given. AMA also recommends that the highest academic degrees be given and, if appropriate, the person's affiliation in order to establish the relevance and authority of the citation.
Example 1:
In a thought-provoking conversation with P. Jafari, MD (June 2005)...
Example 2:
A letter from P. Jafari MD, in August 2004...
Example 3:
Calgaro20, Stockhoff21, and P. Jafari (written communication, August 2004) noted similar results.
Example 4:
According to the drug manufacturer (P. Jafari; President, Pharmacorp; oral communication; January 2005), news reports of unethical drug trials in remote villages of India are incorrect and misleading.
General Notes - Journals and Books [2.12.1-2.12.11]
The following guidelines are applicable to book and journal references.
Authors [2.12.7] — Use author's last name followed by initials without periods. For articles/books with 7 or more authors, list only the first 3 authors followed by "et al."
| Example 1: fewer than 7 |
Example 2: 7 or more |
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Accepted for publication but not yet published, in press [2.12.47].
| Example 1 |
Example 2 |
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Non–English-Language Titles [2.12.10] — Non–English-language titles may be given as an English translation (indicate original language in brackets following title) or appear alongside the English translation (non-English given first, followed by English translation in brackets).
| Example 1: translation |
Example 2: non-English and translation |
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Reference to Print Journals [2.12.12-2.12.27]
The minimum requirement for a reference to print journals follows a simple formula:
Author(s). Article title. Journal Name. Year;volume:inclusive page numbers.There are no spaces between the year, volume, and inclusive page numbers (which are separated by an en-dash) and, excepting proper nouns, only the first word of the article title is capitalized (sentence-style capitalization).
Names of Journals [2.12.13] — Journal names are always abbreviated and italicized. Initial letters are capitalized. If you're unsure how to abbreviate a journal title, consult previous issues of AJPH or the National Library of Medicine's List of Journals Indexed in Index Medicus.
| Example 1: American Journal of Epidemiology |
Example 2: Journal of Pediatrics |
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Volume, Issue, and Pagination [2.12.14-2.12.20] — An issue's number is only used if a publication begins each issue with page 1. The issue number is given in parentheses following the volume number, without spaces.
| Example: non-consecutive pagination |
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Reference to Books [2.12.28-2.12.36]
The minimum requirement for a book reference follows this formula:
Author(s). Title of book and subtitle (if any). Volume number and volume title (when there is more than 1 volume). Edition number (do not indicate first edition). Place of publication: Name of publisher; Year of copyright.Book titles are capitalized according to standard title capitalization rules.
Referencing an entire book [2.12.29]
| Example 1 |
Example 2 |
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Referencing a chapter in a book [2.12.30] — Capitalize the chapter title as you would a journal article's title (sentence style). Do not use quotation marks, but do give the chapter's inclusive page numbers (separated by an en-dash).
| Example |
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Editors [2.12.31] — Names of editors, translators, translator-editors, or executive and section editors are given.
Example 1: single editor
Jafari P ed. Free Will's Burden: Understanding the True Meaning of Freedom. New York, NY: Society of Peeves; 1995. Existential Essay Series.
Example 2: translator-editor
Kerplunk, IM. My Life. Stockhoff, DA, trans-ed. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers Inc; 2000:135–138.
Example 3: multiple editors:
Needham A, Calgaro CA, Jafari P. Ester linkages and beyond. In: Banshee SL, Folishle SD, eds. Me, You, and Fatty Acids. 4th ed. Washington, DC: Penguin Press; 1981.
Reference to a Web Site [2.12.46]
Always include the web address (URL) and date accessed.
| Example 1 |
Example 2 |
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Paper Presented at a Meeting [2.12.47]
Presented at a meeting but not published.
| Example 1 |
Example 2 |
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Legal/Case References [2.12.50]
Legal references may be documented in the text or the reference list. The choice is yours; just be consistent. Note that v is used without punctuation, and all cases are in italics.
Example 1: in-text citationThe basic format for legal/case documention in the reference list should include the following pieces of information in this order:
In a notable case on end-of-life care (Fritz v Smith, 324 S [DC Cir 1981]), the US Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit stated...
Example 2: in-text citation
In the case of Fritz v Smith (343 S [DC Cir 1981])...
Example 3: citation to the reference list
In a notable case on end-of-life care4, the US Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, stated...
Example 4: citation to the reference list
In the case of Fritz v Smith4...
Law/Statutes [2.12.50]
1. The name of the case in italics (only last names, "versus" is abbreviated "v").
2. The volume number and name of the publication in which the case was published.
3. The pages of the case that are discussed or simply the first page in which the case begins.
4. In parentheses, the name of the court and the year of the decision (eg, the Southern District of California, [SD CA]; the US Court of Appeals, [1st Cir, 2nd Cir, etc.]; Federal Circuit, [Fed Cir]).Examples:
Smith v United States, 205 F2d 34 (3rd Cir 1990).
Greenpeace v Mobil Oil Corporation, 28 SW2d 98 (Ky 1990).
1. Official name of the act.
2. Title/chapter number.
3. Abbreviation of the code.
4. Section number (designated by §).
5. Date of code edition.
Citing state statutes varies by state. The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation contains examples from each state.
Example 1
Section 222 of Florida Statues: Fla Stat §222.
Example 2
Section 100 of Revised Code of Washington: Wash Rev Code §100.