How to Format a AMA References
The references is one of the most important parts of any academic paper formatted in AMA (11th edition). It provides readers with the full details of every source you cited, allowing them to locate and verify your references. Getting the formatting right is essential for academic credibility. This guide covers the exact rules, shows real examples, and highlights the most common mistakes students make.
Formatting Rules
Follow these rules when creating your AMA references:
1.Title the page "References" at the top
2.Number references consecutively in the order they first appear in the text
3.Use superscript numerals in the text; list full references at the end
4.Abbreviate journal names using standard medical abbreviations (e.g., N Engl J Med)
5.List up to 6 authors; for 7 or more, list the first 3 followed by et al
6.Include DOIs for all journal articles when available
7.Do not use hanging indents — numbers are left-aligned followed by a period
Example References
Here is how a AMA references looks with entries for different source types:
Book
1. Smith JD. The Art of Research. Academic Press; 2024.
Journal Article
2. Lee AB, Park C. Modern citation practices. J Acad Writ. 2024;15(2):45-67. doi:10.1234/jaw.2024.001
Website
3. World Health Organization. Global health statistics. Published March 15, 2024. Accessed March 20, 2024. https://www.who.int/statistics
Conference Paper
4. Smith JD, Jones AM. New approaches to medical citation. In: Proceedings of the Annual Medical Writers Conference; 2024; Boston, MA. Medical Press; 2024:100-105.
Government Report
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annual surveillance report of drug-related risks. US Department of Health and Human Services; 2024.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the five most frequent formatting errors students make when creating a AMA references:
- Missing or incorrect hanging indent: Every entry should have the first line flush left and all subsequent lines indented by 0.5 inches. Use your word processor's paragraph settings rather than pressing the Tab key.
- Incorrect alphabetization or ordering: Entries must be arranged according to AMA rules. Ignore articles like "A," "An," and "The" when alphabetizing. For numbered styles, list entries in the order they first appear in the text.
- Inconsistent spacing: Double-check your line spacing throughout the entire references. Mixing single and double spacing is a common error that is easy to miss.
- Wrong use of italics: Italicize titles of standalone works such as books and journals, but do not italicize article or chapter titles. Check AMA guidelines for exactly which elements should be italicized.
- Missing or broken DOIs and URLs: Always include a DOI when one is available, formatted as a clickable link. Test every URL before submitting your paper to make sure it leads to the correct source.
Generate Your References Automatically
Skip the manual formatting. Paste a DOI, URL, or ISBN into CitationEasy and get a perfectly formatted AMA citation in seconds, ready for your references.
Cite in AMA Now →Related AMA Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a AMA References?
- A AMA References is the section at the end of your paper that lists all the sources you cited in your text, formatted according to AMA 11th Edition (11th edition) guidelines. It allows readers to locate and verify each source you referenced.
- How do I format a AMA references?
- Start on a new page, title it "References," and list all sources you cited in your paper. Follow the specific AMA rules for hanging indents, spacing, alphabetization or numbering order, and italics.
- What is the difference between a references and a bibliography?
- A references includes only the sources you directly cited in your paper, while a bibliography may also include sources you consulted but did not cite. In AMA (11th edition), the end-of-paper list is called the "References."