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.
