Skip to Main Content

Citation Styles Guide

Reference Page Overview

At the end of your paper starting on a separate page, you will list the sources you used in detail in the order they were introduced by creating a numbered list. (So, first source you cited is number 1, second is number 2, and so on. If you cite the same source later in your paper, you will just use the original number for your in-text citation). Unlike other styles, you do not need to do a hanging indent if the reference is more than a single line.

General Formatting Guidelines for AMA

  • Author names are presented with the last name followed by initial(s) with no comma and no periods or spaces between the initials.
    • Tarleton J.
  • Works with up to six authors are all included in the reference, separated by commas. For works with seven or more authors, list the first three followed by "et al."
  • When an item is digital or online, be sure to add the word Accessed and the date you accessed the item, then the URL or DOI.
  • Titles of journal articles, web pages, and book chapters are written in sentence case, with NO italics.
  • Titles of books, journals, websites are written in title case and italicized.

Common AMA Format Examples

NOTE: These examples are not numbered. Be sure you number yours in the order you introduce them as mentioned above!

Book Format Author last name Initials. Book Title: Subtitle. Edition number (if beyond first). Publisher; Year of Publication. 
Example Morrison KJ. Fast Facts for Stroke Care Nursing: An Expert Guide in a Nutshell. Springer Publishing Company; 2014. Accessed July 9, 2024. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=779325&site=ehost-live
Journal Format Author last name Initials. Article title. Journal Name. Year;Volume(Issue):Page range. DOI or URL.
Example Locklear KW. The BOSS method: using simulation to teach management and organizational skills. Nursing. 2021;51(7):15–18. doi:10.1097/01.NURSE.0000754040.50226.7f. 
Website Format Author last name Initials. Page title. Website Name. Published Month Day, Year. Accessed Month Day, Year. Accessed Date. URL 
Example Berg S. Focus on these 6 areas to boost physician well-being. American Medical Association. Published June 18, 2024. Accessed June 20, 2024. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/focus-these-6-areas-boost-physician-well-being