Presented byMichael Frizell, Director

the Writing Center

Writing in AMA Style

AMAManual of Style, 10th

Edition

The skinny…

Cost: $50 to $60 Weighs 4.2 lbs 1,032 pages Amazon.com Reviews:

“Style manuals are written either for editors or for authors, rarely for both. The AMA manual is a text only editors could love, it serves the interests of authors mostly as an afterthought.” – Dr. Abel Scribe

“…it never seems to fail that what I am looking for, I can't find. The Index could use quite a bit of work. In addition, this text is quite expensive, in my humble opinion. ..this text is "A Necessary Evil." -- David Wexler, “Edit Ink”

A review from “Doc Scribe”…

From the preface: "I never cease to be amazed by the general inability of physicians, other health professionals, and scientists to communicate through the written word. Their scholarly and creative ideas and insightful data interpretation of them seem to get lost in the translation from brain to page" (p. v).

The quality of medical writing has dramatically improved since a young Dr. Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park, tv's ER) wrote in the pages of the New England Journal that "medical writing is bad, but its functions are perfectly understandable as a display of scientific [editorial?] profundity, not as an attempt to communicate experience" (December 11, 1975;293:1257-1259).

Apparently this malaise, and foot-in-mouth disease to boot, now afflicts the AMA's editors.

Curmudgeoning aside, is the 1000-page text usable? …if you are looking for guidance on the most common problems confronted by a writer, you have a monumental task before you.

Final Manuscripts

Present a paper in a format familiar to persons who read medical literature.

GOAL:

Text page format of essays Fonts

12-point or 10-point font. There is no requirement for the typeface. A serif font is commonly used in publication (eg, times roman).

Indents One-half inch

Spacing Double space throughout unless instructed otherwise, such as: Single space within the abstract, notes, titles and headings, block quotes, tables and

figures, and references (everything but the main text), double space before and after each single spaced block.

Block paragraph spacing is recommended for final manuscripts. Page numbers

Every page of a research paper is numbered consecutively starting with the title page. Do not change numbering systems through the text, even with lengthy data sets or appendixes.

Emphasis Italics

Style of Essay Titles, Headings and Subheadings Format

Title and Major SectionCentered or Flush Left

Title Case Applies

FIRST LEVEL HEADINGFlush LeftFull Caps

Second Level HeadingFlush LeftTitle Case

Third Level HeadingIndent

Title Case

NOTE: The third level heading is a run-in or paragraph heading

In the text…

Reference authors with superscripts numbered consecutively.

Reference authors in the text each time they are mentioned. Use the same number for a given author as the first time that author was cited.

Consecutive #’s Superscripts

EXAMPLE:Jones,1 Smith2(p.315) and Garcia and Zabihi3

Give only the surname(s) of the author(s) when mentioning the

author(s). If a reference has more than two authors, use only the

surname of the first author followed by "et al." If a reference has only two

authors, list both.

Important:

Writing Tip:Journal requirements may vary according to the journal. Departments may also vary in their requirements. JADA, for example, omits page numbers and superscript and

places the reference number in parentheses. Example: (2)

In the text…

If a reference is cited more than once, and separate parts of the reference are used, place the page number in parenthesis following the superscript citation. Always give the page number when using a direct quote.

EXAMPLE: Jones and her colleagues base the treatment approach on more conservative and traditional

norms.2(p.95),4-7

NOTE

•Superscript numerals appear outside periods and commas and inside colons and semicolons. Hyphens separate consecutive references and commas separate other parts of a multiple citation.

• In text references often use the reference number and omit the page(s)Journal

Variation

Direct Quotes in the PaperDirect quotes (in ? marks) must be cited with the

appropriate reference # EXAMPLE: The report further cited

"lingering confusion about the vaccination program's aims."22(p5-6)

NOTE: Superscript Lack of spacing between

citation and text Reuse original number when

citing the same source more than once

EXAMPLE: He points out that although

these works are at risk for "traumatic injuries, noise-induced hearing loss, needle sticks, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide poisonings, and infectious diseases,"16(p586) respiratory illness is the most recognized occupational risk.

Note: Space AFTER the citation when it

interrupts text.

In the text….personal communication…

…is only cited within the text, not the reference list. It’s unpublished! It’s unrecoverable data!

Forma

t

•Date of communication•Month, Year

•Mode of communication•Written, Oral

•Highest Academic Degree Recommended•Establishes

credibility and reliability

EXAMPLE ONE:In a thought-provoking conversation with P. Jafari, MD (June 2005)…

EXAMPLE TWO:According to the drug manufacturer (P. Jafari, President, Pharmacorp; oral communication; January, 2005), news reports of unethical drug trials…

REMEMBER:No Citation Number is Necessary!

BIASED!

More personal communication formats.

In a conversation with Dr. Awilda Haskins, PT, EdD (August 2005). . .

According to a letter from Dr. Awilda Haskins, PT, EdD in August 2005. . .

Similar findings have been noted by Dr. Awilda Haskins, PT, EdD (written communication, August 2005). . .

According to the author (Dr. Awilda Haskins, PT, EdD, oral communication, August 2005). . .

Reference List Basics

Present references in the order cited in the paper on a separate page…

at the end of the manuscript…

labeled “References”… including only those

cited in the text.

Works with no more than six (6) authors: include all authors' surnames and first and middle name initials separated by commas. Do not use periods for initials (e.g. Garcia EF, Zabihi GH. Transmission …).

Works with seven (7) or more authors: list only the first three (3) names followed by "et al" (e.g. Haskins AR, Himburg SP, George V, et al. Daring to be…).

NOTE:

Remember: Some Journals Vary in their requirements!

EXAMPLE: Reference List

References 

1.      Jones AB. Modes of treatment: A traditional approach.  Phys Ther. 1999;80:20-26. 2.      Smith CD. Transmission modes and treatment approaches. 3rd ed. Miami (FL): Florida University Presses; 1999. 3.      Garcia EF, Zabihi GH. Transmission modes. New York (NY): NYU Press; 1999:308-338. 4.      Mohamed IJ. Principles of treatment. In: Needles DD, Thread OE, editors. What it's all about? Putnam (NY): Happy Days Press; 1998:29-39. 5.      Haskins AR, Himburg SP, George V, et al. Daring to be different: A less traditional style.  Clin Mgmt in Educ. 2000;26(1):9-19. 6.      Abood S. Quality improvement initiative in nursing homes: the ANA acts in an advisory role. Am J Nurs [serial on the Internet]. 2002 Jun [cited 2002 Aug 12];102(6):[about 3 p.]. Available at: http://www.nursingworld.org/AJN/2002/june/Wawatch.htm. Accessed January 9, 2004.7.     Wyndham Mount Laurel. Meetings and Conferences Page. Available at: http://www.wyndhammountlaurel.com/meetings.html.  Accessed January 9, 2004.  

Refer to recent issues of JAMA & JADA for examples and variations. The AMA style manual is available in the University library.

References: BOOKS

Author(s). Title of book and subtitle (if any). Volume number and volume title (when there is more than 1 volume). Edition number (do not indicate first edition). Place of publication: Name of publisher; Year of copyright.

FORMULA:

Author’s last name and initialsChapter titles are includedBook Title NOT in Title Case (Like This!)Volume only if there is more than onePunctuation in cite is specific

NOTE

Examples: BOOKS

Davis NM. Medical Abbreviations: 26,000 Conveniences at the expense of communications and cafety. 12th ed. Huntingdon Valley, PA: Neil M.Davis Associates; 2005:173.

McEvoy GK, ed in chief, Snow ED, ed. AHFS: Drug information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2008:1125-1126.

BOOK WITH ONE AUTHOR/EDITOR

Aronoff GR, Berns JS, Brier ME, et al. Drug prescribing in renal failure. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: American College of Physicians; 1999:39.

BOOK WITH TWO OR MORE AUTHORS/EDITORS

Johannsen EC, Madoff LC. Infections of the liver and biliary system. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JC, Dolin R, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s: Principles and practice of infectious disease. Vol 1. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2005:951-952.

CHAPTER IN A BOOK

References: PRINT JOURNALS

Author(s). Article title. Journal Name. Year;volume:inclusive page numbers.

Use the AMA accepted Journal Abbreviations for the journal’s title

FORMULA:

Article title not in title case (except Proper Nouns), but…Journal Name is in Title CaseIssue month or numberPage numbersEach element is followed by a periodNo spaces between the year, volume, pagesPages separated by an en-dash NOTE

Examples: PRINT JOURNALS

Smith J, Canton EM. Weight-based administration of dalteparin in obese patients. Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2003;60(7):683-687.

Note: If the journal does not have a volume or issue number, use the issue date.

TYPICAL JOURNAL ARTICLE REFERENCE

6 OR MORE AUTHORSHunter DJ, Hankinson SE Jr, Laden F, et al. Plasma organochlorine levels and the risk of breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 1997;337(18):1253-1258.

If more than 6 authors, list first 3, then et al

COMMITTEE/GROUP/ORGANIZATION AS AUTHORSCouncil on Scientific Affairs. Scientific issues in drug testing. JAMA. 1987;257(22):3110-3114.

NO AUTHORThe choice of antibacterial drugs. Med Lett Drugs Ther. 1998;40(1023):33-42.

References: OTHER PUBLISHED MATERIAL

Lamasil [package insert]. East Hanover, NJ: Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corp; 1993.

PACKAGE INSERT

NEWSPAPERS

Steinmetz G. Kafka is a symbol of Prague today; also, he’s a T-shirt. Wall Street Journal. October 10, 1996:A1, A6.

SOFTWARE

Clinical Pharmacology [computer program]. Version 2.07. Tampa, FL: Gold Standard Multimedia; 2003.

Note: Dates associated with various software may be updates or file dates.

WRITING TIP: Mind the capitalization rules for sources!

References: ONLINE SOURCES

Same as other sources (in a sense) Always include the web address (URL) and the date accessed

FORMULA:

No underlines! Remove the hyperlinkInclude as much info as possibleMake sure your source is credibleUse the words Available at: before the http://...Use the word Accessed before the date

NOTE

Author(s), if give and many times there are none; title of the specific item cited, if any; name of the Web site; URL; published and/or update, if any; accessed date.

Example: ONLINE SOURCES

FDA/CEDR resources page. Food and Drug Administration Web site. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/approval/index.htm. Accessed April 7, 2007.

GENERAL INTERNET SOURCE

DATABASE

Clinical Pharmacology Web site. Available at: http://cpip.gsm.com.ezproxy.samford.edu/. Accessed June 23, 2006.

PDQ® - NCI's Comprehensive Cancer Database. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2007. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cancerdatabase.Updated June 9, 2006. Accessed April 16, 2007.

ONLINE JOURNAL W/VOLUME & PAGE INFO.Simon JA, Hudes ES. Relationship of ascorbic acid to blood lead levels. JAMA. 1999;281:2289-

2293. Available at: http://url. Accessed July 11, 2009. ONLINE JOURNAL WITHOUT VOLUME & PAGE INFO.

Mast CT, DeMuro-Mercon C, Kelly CM, Floyd LE, Ealter EB. The impact of rotavirus gastroenteritis on the family. BMC Pediatrics. 2009;9:11. doi:10.1186/1471-2431-9-11

The DOI: Digital Object Identifier

The DOI is like a social security number for a source. It is meant to help readers find the exact source you are referencing.

You can type a DOI into Google and get the exact source. All DOI numbers begin with a 10 and contain a prefix and a suffix

separated by a slash. Not all sources have DOIs. If the source has a DOI, cite it after the rest of the citation is finished:

Brownlie, D. Toward effective poster presentations: An annotated bibliography. European Journal of Marketing, 41(11/12), 1245-1283. doi:10.1108/03090560710821161

EXAMPLE

Helpful Websites and Sources

AMA Style:

http://www.liunet.edu/cwis/cwp/library/workshop/citama.htm (very basic)

http://healthlinks.washington.edu/hsl/styleguides/ama.html (more detailed)

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/uniform_requirements.html (very detailed)

Cites Used to Create this Presentation:

http://chua2.fiu.edu/faculty/haskins/PHT6970/AMA%20Style.htm (all the basics)

http://www4.samford.edu/schools/pharmacy/dic/amaquickref07.pdf (comprehensive)

http://www.ajph.org/misc/ama_references.shtml (one of my favorites)

http://www.custom-essays.org/essay_format/AMA_Style_Essay_Format.html (style)

JADA

http://www.adajournal.org/article/S0002-8223(95)00007-0/abstract

Information for Authors:

Home Page:http://www.adajournal.org/home

Contact Information Michael Frizell, Writing Center Director

michaelfrizell@missouristate.edu Phone number 417-836-5006 Office: Meyer Library 112

Writing Center First floor Meyer Library – The Bear Claw Phone Number 417-836-6398 http://writingcenter.missouristate.edu

Supplemental Instruction http://si.missouristate.edu

THANK YOU!