AMA vs Turabian: Key Differences
AMA and Turabian are two of the most widely used citation styles in academia, but they differ in important ways. AMA (American Medical Association 11th Edition) the citation standard for American medical journals. Turabian (A Manual for Writers (Turabian) 9th Edition) the student-friendly version of Chicago style. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right format for your paper.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | AMA | Turabian |
|---|---|---|
| Citation System | Numbered | Author-Date |
| In-Text Format | Superscript numbers¹ | (Author Year) |
| Reference List Name | References | Reference List |
| Edition | 11th edition | 9th edition |
| Common Fields | Medicine, Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Public Health | History, Humanities, Social Sciences, Theology |
When to Use AMA
AMA (American Medical Association 11th Edition) uses a numbered citation system with Superscript numbers¹ in-text citations and a References at the end of the paper. It is most commonly used in Medicine, Health Sciences, Pharmacy, and related fields.
When to Use Turabian
Turabian (A Manual for Writers (Turabian) 9th Edition) uses a parenthetical author-date citation system with (Author Year) in-text citations and a Reference List at the end of the paper. It is most commonly used in History, Humanities, Social Sciences, and related fields.
See the Difference in Action
Try our interactive comparison tool to compare AMA and Turabian citations side by side using your own sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between AMA and Turabian?
- AMA and Turabian differ in their in-text citation format, reference list structure, and the academic disciplines that use them. AMA uses Superscript numbers¹ in-text citations with a References, while Turabian uses (Author Year) with a Reference List.
- Which is better, AMA or Turabian?
- Neither AMA nor Turabian is inherently better. The right choice depends on your academic discipline, your instructor's requirements, or the journal you are submitting to. Check your assignment guidelines or target publication to determine which style to use.
- Can I switch between AMA and Turabian?
- Yes, you can switch between AMA and Turabian using CitationEasy's free citation generator. Simply select the desired style and your citations will be reformatted automatically. However, you should only use one style per paper unless your instructor says otherwise.