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Athletic Training: AMA Citation

In-Text Citations

AMA uses a superscript number that corresponds to its matching entry on the reference page at the end of your paper The superscript should be placed in the same spot as any other citation style, such as when an author is mentioned in the narrative or after a quotation. When placing the superscript, it goes immediately after any commas, periods, or quotation marks, and before any colons or semicolons. 

Example AMA In-Text Citation

Wayne points out various advantages to the importance of cardio fitness.2

 

Citing with Page Numbers

When you need to indicate a specific part of a source, especially when you are directly quoting something else, it is important to include page numbers in parentheses with your citation number. If only one page, use "p" and for multiple pages, use "pp."

 Example AMA In-Text Citation with Page Numbers

According to Brooks,1(p52) the spread of rabies by humans is often seen in real world settings. However, King2(pp15,35-40) would disagree, citing multiple instances of the transmission of rabies through non-humans that has had much more impact on a global scale. 

 

Citing Multiple Sources

When using multiple sources of information at the same time, such as summarizing information in a lit review, you can include multiple in-text citations, separated by commas. When citing 3 or more sources that are consecutively numbered, you can use a dash. If needed, you can even include page numbers as well.

Example AMA In-Text Citation from Multiple Sources

In two studies done by the Center for Control,3,5 the findings contradict those of older studies which were considered to be accepted practices.6-10 However, multiple other studies have gone on to show that these two studies relied on improper testing practices to reach their conclusions.11(pp15-20),12-15

     

 

 

AMA General Formatting Guidelines

Note: Your professor may have their own preference for how you format your paper. Always check with your syllabus or instructor.

  • Times New Roman, size 12, is the recommended font.
  • Use 1" margins.
  • Place the page number in the upper right corner of each page, including the title page.
  • For both the body of the paper and the reference pages, place a header in the upper left-hand side with a shortened version of the title of the paper.
  • Double-space the main text.
  • Single space only within the abstract, notes, titles and headings, block quotes, tables and figures, and references. 

Title Page Guidelines

For assignments that require a title page, or when submitting for publishing, follow the general format above as well as:

  • Centered at the top is the title, followed by the author, and then institution name (each on separate lines).
    • This info should not be bold, italicized, or in a larger font.
  • Center and bold "Abstract" in the middle of the page.
    • Below, flushed with left margin, write your abstract with the following sections. These should be used as headings and italicized in your abstract.
      • Objective
      • Methods
      • Results
  • After your abstract, leave a space and add a Key Words section to place 3-10 key words to your paper.

 

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 

 

Further Resources