Referencing Part 2: Books, Websites, and Reports

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Chapter 3 of the AMA Manual of Style reviews how to properly reference. Here, we cover the citation and referencing of a scientific j

Chapter 3 of the AMA Manual of Style reviews how to properly reference source material. Here, we cover the correct AMA format for referencing books, websites, and other reports.

Referencing Books

A complete book reference should include:

  • Author(s) and/or editor(s), in format “last name, initials.” If 6 or more authors, list only the first 3, followed by “et al.”
  • Title of book and subtitle.
  • Volume number and volume title, in format “Vol. 2.”
  • Edition number, if not 1st edition, in format “5th ed” or “new rev ed”
  • Name of publisher; copyright year: page range.

Of note, publisher’s locations are not longer required in a reference.

If referencing an e-book online, add the following:

  • Accessed date in the form Month xx, 20xx.
  • Website URL, with no period or punctuation at the end

If referencing an entire chapter in a book, add the following two items before the book authors:

  • Chapter author(s) in format “last name, initials.” If 6 or more authors, list only the first 3, followed by “et al.”
  • Chapter title (no italicization).
  • “In:” followed by the book reference.

If no authors are listed, editors can be listed in place of authors, with “eds.” following their names. Translation editors should be listed after the book title, with “trans-ed.” following their name.

Referencing News Publications

References to news publications should contain the following:

  • Author (if given).
  • Title of article.
  • Newspaper name. If city is not included it title, add it for clarity.
  • Date publication: section and/or page range.
  • Online accessed date (if applicable)
  • Website address (if applicable)

Blogs will follow the same format. Italicize the blog name, and add “Blog.” after it.

Referencing Government Reports

References to news publications should contain the following:

  • Author (if given).
  • Title of bulletin.
  • Name of issuing bureau, agency, department: publication date: page range
  • Publication number (if any)
  • Series number (if given)
  • Online accessed date (if applicable)
  • Website address (if applicable)

Referencing Dissertations

References to dissertations should contain the following:

  • Author name.
  • Title of dissertation. Dissertation.
  • University name; year of completion.

Referencing Package Inserts

References to package inserts should contain the following:

  • Title.
  • Drug company; published year.
  • Online accessed date (if applicable)
  • Website address (if applicable)

Referencing Conferences, Webinars or Other Presentations

References to presentations should contain the following:

  • Name of speaker(s).
  • Title.
  • Presented at: name of conference/webinar; date of presentation; City, state.
  • Online accessed date (if applicable)
  • Website address (if applicable)

Referencing Podcasts

References to podcasts should contain the following:

  • Name of podcast episode.
  • Name of podcast.
  • Publication date.
  • Date accessed.
  • Website address

Referencing Websites

References to a website should contain the following:

  • Author’s name.
  • Title of the specified item.
  • Name of the website.
  • Publication date.
  • Date last updated, if applicable.
  • Date accessed.
  • Website address

Referencing a News Release

References to a news release should contain the following:

  • Title. “News Release.”
  • Reporting organization.
  • Date of publication.
  • Date last updated, if applicable.
  • Date accessed.
  • Website address

Reference:

AMA Manual of Style Committee. AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors. 11th ed. Oxford University Press; 2020