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AMA Citation Style

This guide provides basic instruction about the AMA Citation Style.

Print Book Reference

References to books include the following:

  • Chapter authors’ surnames and initials (the names of all authors should be given unless there are more than 6, in which case the names of the first 3 authors are used, followed by “et al”)
  • Chapter title (when cited)
  • Book authors’ and/or editors’ (and translator, if any) surnames and initials (the names of all authors should be given unless there are more than 6, in which case the names of the first 3 authors are used, followed by “et al”)
  • Title of book and subtitle, if any
  • Volume number and volume title, when there is more than 1 volume
  • Edition number (do not indicate first edition)
  • Name of publisher
  • Year of copyright
  • Page numbers, when specific pages are cited

From AMA Manual, 11th ed., Ch. 3.12 References to Books.

eBook Reference

References for books published in formats other than print include:

  • Authors’ surnames and initials (the names of all authors should be given unless there are more than 6, in which case the names of the first 3 authors are used, followed by “et al”) or name of the group if the author is a group
  • Chapter title (Note: If the reference is to the entire book, the information about chapter title is not included.)
  • In: Editor(s)
  • Book Title
  • Edition number (if it is the second edition or higher; mention of first edition is not necessary; eg, 2nd ed)
  • Book medium
  • Publisher's name
  • Copyright year or publication date
  • Chapter number (or inclusive pages if available)
  • Accessed [date]
  • URL (verify that the link still works as close as possible to publication)

From AMA Manual Ch. 3.12.11 Electronic Books, Books Online, Audiobooks, and Books on Tape or CD.

Examples

Print Book Reference:

Adkinson NF Jr, Bochner BS, Burks W, et al, eds. Middleton’s Allergy: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Saunders; 2014.

eBook Reference:

Patrias K, Wendling DL, ed. Citing Medicine: The NLM Style Guide for Authors, Editors, and Publishers. 2nd ed. National Library of Medicine; 2007-. Updated October 2, 2015. Accessed August 11, 2016. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/citingmedicine