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How to cite using AMA in the health sciences

This guide covers the basics of the American Medical Association's (AMA) citation style.

Format, example and tips - Journal article - online (URL only)

Elements to include and formatting

Author(s). Article title. Abbreviated Journal Name. Year;volume(issue):pages. Publication date. Updated date. Accessed date. (if dates are available). URL (no period after the URL)

Example

  1. Cain J, Scott DR, Akers P. Pharmacy students' Facebook activity and opinions regarding accountability and e-professionalism. Am J Pharm Educ. 2009;73(6):1-6. Published October 1, 2009.  Accessed February 4, 2020.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2769526/pdf/ajpe104.pdf

Tips

  • If the article does have a DOI, then cite the DOI and not the URL.  See the DOI example for more information. 
  • Authors. For 1-6 authors include all names.  More than 6 authors, include first three names followed by ,et al.
  • Journals may not always include vol/issue/page numbering, and/or may include an article number in place of these details. Include the details you have in this area.
  • Abbreviated journal name is in italics.
  • Journal abbreviations. AMA employs journal abbreviations as set by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) Journals referenced in the NCBI Databases.
    • Alternatively:
      • Use PubMed or OVID Medline to locate the appropriate abbreviation.
      • Check the abbreviation from your reference management program.