AMA stands for the American Medical Association, which provides guidance on AMA style, the citation format commonly used in the field of medicine. This citation style is often used when citing medical research, and its format includes the following:
- Numerical in-text citations – these are the citations written in superscript number
- AMA reference list – this is a list of your sources, providing full information
Read on to learn how to do an AMA citation and write your medical paper correctly!
In-text citations
The in-text citations in AMA citation style appear in a superscript number. This should look like this: source1 which is where you have included the information you got from another source. The superscript number corresponds to the relevant entry on the reference list.
When adding the superscript number, it should be placed in a way that makes it clear what information you are citing. On that note, you should put after a quotation or the name of the author if you mention it. Remember that the number should appear outside periods, commas, or quotation marks.
Citing multiple sources
If you have to cite multiple titles, the way to indicate them in superscript is by including a range. You can use an en dash when citing two or more sources in consecutive order. Or, you can list non-consecutive sources using commas. No space is needed between the numbers.
Adding page numbers when citing sources
What if you need to include page numbers? In this case, the citation is presented in parentheses after the superscript and again without spacing. If it is a single page number, add “p” before the page numbers, but if it’s a list or range of pages, add “pp” instead.
References
Besides the in-text citations, there is also the AMA reference page at the end of your paper. Titled simply “References,” it has all your sources listed in numerical order instead of alphabetically. Keep in mind that two references should not be combined in one reference number.
The reference list has to be single-spaced as opposed to the double-spacing of the body. You should also not apply any hanging indent to a reference that extends to the second line. Your sources must only be included once on the reference list–sources cited repeatedly use the same number every time.
The full information about the sources you used should be included on the references page. This includes the authors’ names (last name and initials), source title (journal name, article title, book title, or website name), publisher name, and publication date.
The formatting and the exact information included depends on the source type. You can find out more about them in the examples section below.
Comprehensive support to perfect your AMA citation format
AMA formatting
Besides learning the basics of AMA reference, there are also general formatting guidelines you should know when following this citation style even with unpublished material. Here is what you should know:
- Font size – use size 12
- Spacing – double space the text
- Font – use commonly used fonts such as Times New Roman
- Page number – add them in the upper right corner of every page beginning with the title page
- Margins and indents – use 1 inch for the margins and ½ inch for the indents in the first lines of paragraphs
- Styling – be consistent in bolding, centering, or using a different font for every level of the heading
- Acronyms – when there are acronyms, make sure to spell them out the first time you use them
AMA citation example
Here are some examples of AMA style citation:
In-text citation
1. Single citation
- Recent studies indicate a link between nutrition and cancer.3
- As suggested by Smith8, heart disease is linked to diet.
2. Direct quotation
- As stated in the research, “The results are conclusive in all participants.”12
Multiple sources
1. Multiple sources1-3 support the idea that diet and heart disease are linked together.
2. According to several sources1,4,6,9,11, nutrition has a significant impact on a person’s risk of developing cancer.
Including page numbers in in-text citations
1. Based on a study conducted by Smith2(p18), diet and heart disease doesn’t have any connection. However, multiple sources4, 7(pp216-225) do not support this claim.
How to cite a website AMA style
Here is how you cite a website source in your AMA reference page:
Format:
Author's last name and initials. Page title. Website name. Published date (Month Day, Year). Accessed date (Month Day, Year). URL.
Example:
Milano A. 5 ways diet is linked to heart disease. American Medical Association. Published September 13, 2021. Accessed March 3, 2025. https://www.ama-assn.org/medical-students/medical-school-life/5-ways-diet-linked-heart-disease.
How to cite a book AMA style
After adding the book’s AMA citation in text, here is how you write them in the references page:
Format:
Author's last name and initials. Book Title: Subtitle. Publisher; Year
Example:
Sinatra S, MD, Bowden J, PhD, CNS, Eades M.D., MD, and Eades M, MD. The Great Cholesterol Myth, Revised and Expanded: Why Lowering Your Cholesterol Won’t Prevent Heart Disease—and Statin-Free Plan that Will. Fair Winds Press; 2020.
Your reliable partner for mastering AMA citation rules.
How to cite a journal AMA style
As for citing a journal, simply follow the format below:
Format:
Author's last name and initials. Article title. Journal Name. Year; Volume Issue: Page range. URL or DOI (digital object identifier)
Example:
Bird C, Dutton, F. How to recognize and manage measles. BMJ. 2025; 388:e079895. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2024-079895
AMA citation style FAQs
1. What is the purpose of citation styles?
Citation styles like AMA is a set of guidelines that tell you how to cite your sources in your academic writing. You use them when quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing sources to avoid plagiarism, a serious offense that can land you in trouble for copyright infringement.
2. How should references be listed and organized in AMA citation style?
Every in-text citation must be listed in the order they appear in the text on the References page. Keep in mind that they should appear in consecutive order and not alphabetically. When quoting or citing your source, it should be marked by a superscript number, as mentioned in the above guide. The title References must be left-justified, double-spaced and the list starts with 1.
3. How does the AMA style differ from APA and MLA styles?
Several things make the AMA citation style different from APA and MLA, such as the fact that the sources are organized on the references page in numerical order (the order they appear in the text). Both APA and MLA have them listed alphabetically by the last name of the author. Another key difference is it doesn’t list author names in in-text citations.
The chapter title, online books, superscript numbers or superscript Arabic numerals and the first reference all have the same point as other styles.