Manuscript Writing

AMA Style Referencing: A Guide to Formatting References

A guide to AMA referencing with tips, tricks and citation examples.

The American Medical Association (AMA) style is one of the most widely used citation formats in medicine, health sciences, and biomedical research. It provides a clear, numeric system that ensures consistency and accuracy in academic writing.

Correct referencing in AMA style is essential for upholding academic integrity, giving proper credit to original authors, and meeting the requirements of journals and institutions. This guide outlines the fundamental rules, examples, and common pitfalls when formatting references in AMA style.

Introduction to AMA Referencing Style

Background of AMA style

AMA style was developed by the American Medical Association to standardize scientific writing in medical publishing. The style is currently in its 11th edition (2020).

Where AMA style is commonly used

AMA is the preferred style for:

  • Medical and biomedical journals
  • Clinical research papers
  • Theses and dissertations in health sciences
  • Reports in public health and related fields

General Rules for AMA Referencing

In-text citations (superscript numbering)

  • References are cited in the text using superscript Arabic numerals.
  • Numbers are assigned in the order sources first appear.
  • The same number is used for repeated citations of the same source.

Example: The prevalence of diabetes continues to increase globally.¹

Reference list order and structure

  • The reference list appears at the end of the paper.
  • Entries are listed numerically in the order of appearance, not alphabetically.
  • Each entry ends with a period.

Author names and punctuation

  • List authors by surname followed by initials, without periods between initials.
  • For six or fewer authors: list all.
  • For more than six authors: list the first three, followed by “et al.”

Formatting References for Different Source Types

Journal Articles

Format: Author(s). Title of article. Abbreviated Journal Name. Year;Volume(Issue):Page numbers.

Example: Patel S, Lee A, Chen Y, et al. Advances in targeted cancer therapy. J Clin Oncol. 2023;41(12):1023-1030.

Book

Format: Author(s). Title of Book. Edition number. Place of publication: Publisher; Year.

Example: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020.

Book Chapter

Format: Author(s) of chapter. Title of chapter. In: Editor(s), ed(s). Title of Book. Edition number. Place of publication: Publisher; Year:Page numbers.

Example: Johnson R. Cardiovascular disease prevention. In: Brown K, Smith L, eds. Essentials of Public Health. 4th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2019:75-90.

Websites and online content

Format: Author(s) or Organization. Title of content. Website name. Published [date]. Updated [date]. Accessed [date]. URL

Example: World Health Organization. Obesity and overweight. WHO. Published March 1, 2023. Accessed January 10, 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight

Conference proceedings

Format: Author(s). Title of paper. In: Editor(s), ed(s). Title of Conference; Date; Location. Place of publication: Publisher; Year:Page numbers.

Example: Nguyen T, Rivera M. Innovations in telemedicine. In: Proceedings of the International eHealth Summit; June 15-17, 2024; Berlin, Germany. Berlin: Springer; 2024:120-128.

Government or organizational reports

Format: Organization. Title of report. Place of publication: Publisher; Year.

Example: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2022. Atlanta, GA: CDC; 2022.

AMA Style vs. Other Referencing Styles

  • Both AMA and Vancouver style use a numeric citation system and numbered reference lists.
  • AMA uses superscripts, while APA and MLA use author–date or author–page systems.
  • AMA abbreviates journal names; APA and MLA use full journal titles.

Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

Incorrect superscript placement

Superscripts should appear after punctuation, not before.

  • Correct: The trial showed positive results,¹ but further studies are required.
  • Incorrect: The trial showed positive results¹, but further studies are required.

Missing journal abbreviations

Always abbreviate journal names using the NLM catalog.

Formatting inconsistencies

Ensure that punctuation, spacing, and italics follow AMA guidelines consistently throughout the list.

Final Notes for Researchers and Students

Accurate referencing in AMA style is not just a formality — it is a critical element of scholarly communication. By following the rules outlined in this guide, using correct examples, and applying consistency, researchers can ensure their manuscripts meet professional standards.

When in doubt, consult the AMA Manual of Style or the submission guidelines of the target journal to avoid unnecessary revisions. If you are looking for a fast way to find accurate citations, Livewrite's Cite feature lets you highlight any sentence or paragraph to search over 240 million published articles, preview abstracts and insert references that sync with your existing reference manager.