AMA Citation Guide: Online Journal Article

This guide is intended as a basic introduction to the AMA citation style.

Please consult the AMA Manual of Style eBook for more examples and in-depth information.

See sections: 3.15-3.15.1 for more information and examples about online articles.

See sections: 3.7-3.10 for author & title rules.

For online journal articles, the format is the same as print plus additional information at the end of the reference indicating the location of the material. 

Two options:

Option 1: DOI (Digital Object Identifier):

• This is the preferred method for AMA.
• Many electronic journal articles now have a unique DOI (digital object identifier) assigned to it. The DOI provides a persistent link to the electronic item.
• If the DOI is not provided, use the DOI Lookup to locate it. (Note: older articles may not have a DOI)

Option 2: URL:

• Only use this option if the DOI is not available
• Add the URL that will take the reader most directly to the article.
• Include the accessed date (required)
• Include the published and updated dates (if available)

Note: There may be variations between the print and online versions of the same article, so always cite the format that you consulted.

Example: Online Journal Article with a DOI:

Fischer MA, Stedman MS, Lii J, et al. Primary medication non-adherence: analysis of 195,930 electronic prescriptions. J Gen Intern Med. 2010;25(4):284–290. doi:10.1007/s11606-010-1253-9.

Example: Online Journal Article with the URL

Stetler HC, Orenstein WA, Bernier RH, et al. Impact of revaccinating children who initially received measles vaccine before 10 months of age. Pediatrics. 1986;77(4):471-476. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/132/5/e1126.full.pdf+html. Published November 1, 2013. Accessed November 12, 2013. 

Author: Fischer MA, Stedman MS, Lii J, et al.
Last name first, abbreviate first and middle names to just the first initial with no periods in between. Place a comma between multiple authors. If there are more than six authors listed, give the first three authors followed by et al. End with a period.

Title & subtitle of the article: Primary medication non-adherence: analysis of 195,930 electronic prescriptions.
Title and subtitle, if any, are separated by a colon. Capitalize only the first word of the title and any proper nouns. Do not italicize the title. End with a period.

Title of the journal: J Gen Intern Med.
Journal titles in AMA are always abbreviated and italicized. Use the PubMed Journals Database to find out the official abbreviation for your journal. End with a period.

Year of publication: 2010;
List the year when the article was published followed by a semi-colon with no space between.

Volume and issue number: 25(4):
List the volume number with no space followed by the issue number in parentheses again with no space. See sections 3.11.3-3.11.8 & 3.15.1 for variations. Follow the parentheses with a colon.

Page numbers: 284–290.
Note: Some online journals do not have page numbers. If page numbers of an article run consecutively, separate beginning and ending page numbers with a hyphen. See sections 3.11.3-3.11.8 & 3.15.1 for variations. End with a period.

DOI: doi:10.1007/s11606-010-1253-9.

Start with doi: no space and the number. End the citation with a period.

Reference: American Medical Association. AMA Manual of Style. 10th ed. Oxford, England: Oxford Universtiy Press; 2007.

Author: Stetler HC, Orenstein WA, Bernier RH, et al.
Last name first, abbreviate first and middle names to just the first initial with no periods in between. Place a comma between multiple authors. If there are more than six authors listed, give the first three authors followed by et al. End with a period.

Title & subtitle of the article: Impact of revaccinating children who initially received measles vaccine before 10 months of age.
Title and subtitle, if any, are separated by a colon. Capitalize only the first word of the title and any proper nouns. Do not italicize the title. End with a period.

Title of the journal: Pediatrics.
Journal titles in AMA are always abbreviated and italicized. Use the PubMed Journals Database to find out the official abbreviation for your journal.  End with a period.

Year of publication: 2013;
List the year when the article was published followed by a semi-colon with no space between.

Volume and issue number: 77(4):
List the volume number with no space followed by the issue number in parentheses again with no space. See sections 3.11.3-3.11.8 & 3.15.1 for variations. Follow the parentheses with a colon.

Page numbers: 471-476.
Note: Some online journals do not have page numbers. If page numbers run consecutively, separate beginning and ending page numbers with a hyphen. See sections 3.11.3-3.11.8 & 3.15.1 for variations. End with a period.

URL: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/132/5/e1126.full.pdf+html.

Use the URL that will take the reader most directly to the article. (See section: 3.15.1)   End with a period.

Published Date: Published November 1, 2013.

If available, provide the published date preceded by the word Published. End with a period.

Updated Date: (if applicable)

If available, provide the updated date preceded by the word Updated. End with a period.

Accessed Date: Accessed November 12, 2013.

Date you accessed (viewed ) the page preceded by the word Accessed. End citation with a period..

Reference: American Medical Association. AMA Manual of Style. 10th ed. Oxford, England: Oxford Universtiy Press; 2007.