AMA In-Text Citations | Guidelines & Examples

AMA in-text citations are superscript numbers in the main text that direct readers to numbered entries on an AMA reference page.

Each AMA reference entry begins with a number and includes the author, title, and other publication details. Number these entries in the order that you initially cite each source in the main text.

Each source has only one entry, so if you cite the same scholarly source in multiple places, use the same number for all of that source’s in-text citations.

AMA in-text citation and reference entry example
AMA in-text citation AMA reference entry
Another recent study explored the common barriers to asthma treatment.5 5. Papi A, Blasi F, Canonica GW, et al. Treatment strategies for asthma: reshaping the concept of asthma management. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology. 2020;16:1-11. doi:10.1186/s13223-020-00472-8

To cite sources correctly in AMA style, follow the examples and guidelines below, or use QuillBot’s free Citation Generator.

AMA in-text citation format

In-text citations go immediately after the sentence, phrase, or clause that paraphrases, quotes, or summarizes each source. They usually go after the sentence’s period, but they can go in the middle of a sentence if only part of the sentence is summarizing, paraphrasing, or quoting an outside source.

AMA provides the following guidelines for in-text citation placement:

  • After a period, question mark, exclamation mark, or closing quotation marks when the citation applies to the whole sentence
  • After a comma when the citation only applies to details before the comma
  • Before a colon, semicolon, em dash, or closing parenthesis if the citation only applies to details before these punctuation marks
AMA in-text citations and punctuation examples
While many experts believe that CBT is more effective than somatic therapy,5,6  one recent study showed that a combination of the two approaches is a more effective than CBT alone.7 Additional research (along the lines of Singh’s mixed methods approach8) should explore the efficacy of a combined approach for PTSD as well as GAD.
Note
If you include the author’s name in a signal phrase of the main text, you can place the superscript number after the author’s name or at the end of the sentence (depending on how much of the sentence applies to the citation).

If a source has two authors, use both of their last names in a signal phrase. For sources with three or more authors, use the first author’s last name with “et al” like this example:

  • The study by Meijer et al6 confirms our hypothesis.

In AMA writing, “et al” doesn’t have a period like it does in APA in-text citations.

Page numbers in AMA in-text citations

AMA only requires page numbers for sentences with quotations (which should be used sparingly in AMA writing). AMA doesn’t require page numbers when you’re paraphrasing or summarizing. The following formatting guidelines apply to AMA page number citations:

  • Put page numbers in superscript parentheses directly after the citation number, which goes after the closing quotation marks.
  • Avoid spaces between the superscript number and parentheses or between any of the details inside the parentheses.
  • Use “p” for a single page number or “pp” for a page range (with no period).
  • Type the number or range directly after “p” or “pp.”
  • Use a hyphen for page ranges (e.g., pp19-20).
AMA page number citation example
Haidt explained, “Doing projects increases children’s sense of competence while also increasing parents’ willingness to trust their children and grant them more autonomy.”8(p265)

AMA in-text citations for multiple works

In some cases, you may need to cite two or more sources in the same sentence. For example, in a literature review, a single sentence might refer to several different research studies.

In this situation, add a superscript citation (and a reference entry) for all of the sources that the sentence paraphrases or summarizes. Separate the superscript numbers with commas but not spaces. You can also use a hyphen to cite a range of three or more consecutive sources from the reference page.

In the following example, “several studies” refers to sources 6, 9, 10, and 11 from the essay’s reference page.

Multiple AMA citations example 
Several other longitudinal studies have confirmed the positive correlation between community and longevity.6,9-11

Frequently asked questions about AMA in-text citations

How do I cite the same source multiple times in AMA style?

To cite the same source multiple times in AMA style, follow these steps:

  • Number sources on the AMA reference page sequentially according to the first time each source is cited in your main text. For example, the first source you cite in text is “1,” the second is “2,” and so on.
  • Each source only needs one number and one reference entry no matter how many AMA in-text citations you have for the same source.
  • Each time you summarize, paraphrase, or quote each source, use the same number from the reference page in superscript at the end of the relevant sentence, phrase, or clause—like this example.4

QuillBot’s free Citation Generator can help you create accurate AMA references.

Do I include the author’s name in AMA in-text citations?

AMA doesn’t require writers to include the author’s name in AMA in-text citations. However, you can include the author’s name in a signal phrase if the name provides context.

AMA requires the last name(s) in signal phrases. For a source with two authors, use both last names (e.g., Kesey and Burroughs). For a source with three or more authors, use the first name with “et al” (e.g., Smith et al).

The AMA in-text citation—which is a superscript number that corresponds to a numbered reference entry—can be located after the author’s name, after the sentence’s end punctuation, or after closing quotation marks.

As a general rule, place superscript numbers at the end of the phrase, clause, or sentence that includes the information that applies to the citation like these examples:

  • Owens et al discussed socioeconomic barriers to psychotherapy,7 but this study focuses on emotional barriers.
  • The studies by Amani5 and Smith et al6 are also consistent with these findings.
  • Haidt discussed the importance of chores, projects, and free play for healthy child development.8

When you’re writing AMA citations and references, QuillBot’s free Citation Generator can help you avoid errors.

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Nicole Routh, M.Ed

Nicole has a master’s in English Education and detailed expertise in writing and grammar instruction. She’s taught college writing courses and written handbooks that empowered students worldwide.