This resource provides guidance on how to cite electronic sources using American Medical Association (AMA) Style, 11th Ed.

A Note on DOIs

DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) are relatively new additions to researchers' toolkits that can make the task of citation a little easier. Like an ordinary URL, a DOI is a string of characters used to identify a particular resource hosted on the internet. Unlike a URL, however, a DOI remains stable for the life of the resource even if its location or content changes. Thus, when a DOI is available, the AMA recommends using it in place of a URL.

To use a DOI, omit the URL, access date, and publication date. In place of this information, add the DOI (preceded by "doi:"). The rest of the citation should remain the same.

Author(s). Title. Journal Name. Year;vol(issue no.):inclusive pages. doi:10.0000000/000000000000

Online Journals

The basic format when referencing an article in an online journal is as follows:

AuthorLastname FirstInitialMiddleInitial. Title written in sentence case. Journal Name. Year;vol(issue no.):inclusive pages. doi:######. Date accessed only if DOI is unavailable. URL only if DOI is unavailable.

Books and Books on CD-ROM

The basic format when referencing to an internet-based book is as follows. Note: If the reference is to the entire book, the information about chapter title and inclusive pages is not included. 

AuthorLastname FirstInitialMiddleIntial. Chapter title written in sentence case. In: Editor(s). Book Title. Edition number, if it is the second edition or above (mention of first edition is not necessary). Book medium. Publisher’s name; copyright:chapter/inclusive pages. Accessed [date]. URL [provide URL and verify that the link still works as close as possible to the time of publication].

Website

When citing data from a website, include the following elements, if available, in the order shown below:

AuthorLastname FirstInitialMiddleInitial or the name of the group. Title of the specific item cited (if none is given, use the name of the organization responsible for the site). Name of the website. Date published. Updated date. Accessed date. URL [provide URL and verify that the link still works as close as possible to publication].