How to Cite Journal of the American Medical Association in APA Format

Complete guide to citing Journal of the American Medical Association in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

Journal of the American Medical Association presents unique citation challenges that require specific guidance beyond general source type rules. This page provides targeted help for finding citation information, handling Journal of the American Medical Association's particular format requirements, and avoiding common mistakes specific to this platform.

🔍 Try It Out

Paste a citation to check its Journal of the American Medical Association formatting

Quick Reference: Journal of the American Medical Association Citations

Reference List Format:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Journal of the American Medical Association-Specific Notes:
Citing articles from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) requires adherence to specific formatting rules that differ slightly from general APA citation practices. One key distinction is the way authors are listed. While APA style typically allows for listing up to 20 authors before using an ellipsis, JAMA citations necessitate listing all authors regardless of number. This can be a point of confusion, especially for students accustomed to the APA rule of truncating long author lists. Additionally, when citing JAMA articles, the article's volume number should be in italics, and the issue number should be in parentheses immediately following the volume number, without being italicized. This differs from the APA practice of italicizing both the volume and issue numbers.

For students, a common mistake is misapplying APA's more flexible author listing rules to JAMA articles. To avoid this, it is crucial to meticulously list every author in the order they appear in the publication. Another potential pitfall is formatting the journal title and volume correctly; consistency here is key. Best practices include double-checking the journal's official style guide to ensure compliance with JAMA-specific requirements, and cross-referencing with APA guidelines to manage elements like DOI formatting. Always pay close attention to detail, particularly with author names and publication details, to ensure precision and alignment with the unique expectations of JAMA citations.

In-Text Citation:
- Parenthetical: ([Author], [Year])
- Narrative: [Author] ([Year])

Key Points:
- Use Journal Article format with Journal of the American Medical Association specifics
- Locate citation info on Journal of the American Medical Association's website
- Handle Journal of the American Medical Association's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-10-30 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

Jump to Examples | Jump to Common Issues | Check Your Citation

Where to Find Citation Information on Journal of the American Medical Association

Navigating the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) website to find citation information requires a systematic approach due to its structured layout. Here’s a detailed guide to help you locate the necessary citation details:

  1. Accessing the Article: Begin by visiting the JAMA website at https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama. Use the search bar at the top right corner to enter keywords, author names, or article titles related to your research topic to find the specific article you need.

  2. Locating the Author(s): Once you have opened the article, the author byline is typically located at the top of the article, just below the title. Authors are usually listed in a prominent position and may include hyperlinks to their profiles or a list of their other publications. If there are multiple authors, they will be listed sequentially.

  3. Finding the Publication Date: The publication date is found directly below the article title, often alongside the author byline. It is usually presented in a month, day, year format, which is crucial for accurate citation.

  4. Identifying the Article Title: The article title is prominently displayed at the top of the page, above the author byline and publication date. It is typically in a larger and bolder font, making it easy to identify. Ensure you transcribe the title exactly as it appears, including any subtitles.

  5. URL and Access Information: The URL, essential for accessing the article, is located in the browser’s address bar. When citing, ensure you copy the complete URL starting with "https://". JAMA articles often have a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) listed near the article title or abstract, which provides a permanent link to the digital article and should be included in your citation.

  6. Additional Information: In some cases, you might need additional details such as the volume and issue number, page range, or DOI for a complete citation. This information is usually found on the right side of the page under the “Article Information” section. This section may also include the article’s abstract, keywords, and links to related content.

By following these steps, you can efficiently gather all necessary citation details for any article on the JAMA website. Remember, the structured layout of JAMA ensures that key citation information is consistently placed, making your research process more straightforward.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Journal of the American Medical Association Citation

How to Create a Citation for the Journal of the American Medical Association

Creating a citation for the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) is an important skill for any student or researcher. This guide will walk you through the steps needed to accurately cite an article following APA format.

What You Need

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Identify the Article
    - Action: Locate the article you wish to cite from the JAMA website or another academic source.
    - Verification: Ensure you have all the necessary information, including the author(s), year of publication, article title, journal title, volume, issue number, page range, and DOI link.
    - Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Use the search function on the JAMA website (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama) by entering keywords related to your topic.

  2. List the Authors
    - Action: Write down the names of the authors in the format: Last name, Initials. For multiple authors, separate them with commas and use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name.
    - Verification: Check for spelling accuracy and ensure the order is correct as it appears in the article.
    - Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: If there are many authors, use the first six authors followed by "et al." for citations in your paper.

  3. Record the Year of Publication
    - Action: Find the year the article was published and write it in parentheses immediately after the authors' names.
    - Verification: Confirm that the year matches the publication date shown on the article.
    - Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: This information is usually located near the title of the article.

  4. Title of the Article
    - Action: Write down the title of the article in sentence case, meaning only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.
    - Verification: Make sure that you have spelled the title correctly and used the correct punctuation.
    - Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Keep a copy of the article open while you write the citation to avoid switching back and forth.

  5. Journal Title, Volume, and Issue
    - Action: Write the title of the journal in italics, followed by a comma, then the volume number in italics, and the issue number in parentheses (not italicized), if applicable.
    - Verification: Double-check that the journal title, volume, and issue number are accurate and formatted correctly.
    - Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: The journal title and volume number are usually prominently displayed at the top of the article or in the citation information.

  6. Page Range
    - Action: Note the page range of the article and write it down, preceded by a comma.
    - Verification: Ensure that you have the correct page numbers as they appear in the article.
    - Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: The page range is often found at the top or bottom of the article.

  7. Include the DOI
    - Action: Find the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) for the article and include it at the end of the citation, formatted as a URL (https://doi.org/xxxxx).
    - Verification: Make sure the DOI is accurate by checking the article or using a DOI lookup tool.
    - Time Estimate: 3 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: The DOI is typically listed on the article's webpage or in the citation information.

  8. Put It All Together
    - Action: Assemble all the information into the proper citation format:
    Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx
    - Verification: Review the complete citation for accuracy and proper formatting according to APA guidelines.
    - Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Use citation management tools like Zotero or EndNote to help organize and format your citations automatically.

Final Thoughts

By following these steps, you can create accurate citations for articles from the Journal of the American Medical Association. Remember to always double-check your work for accuracy. This will not only help you maintain academic integrity but also improve your overall writing skills. Happy citing!

Real Examples from Journal of the American Medical Association

This section provides authentic citation examples from Journal of the American Medical Association using recent publications from 2023-2024.

I'm unable to access external databases or websites in real-time, so I cannot retrieve specific articles from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) for 2023-2024. However, I can provide you with a structured guide on how to format APA citations based on hypothetical examples. You can apply this format to actual articles from JAMA once you have them.

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description: This is a research article authored by a single researcher focusing on the impact of a new medication on heart disease.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Smith, J. A. (2023). The effects of MedX on cardiovascular health. Journal of the American Medical Association, 330(15), 1234-1240. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.12345

In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
(Smith, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
Smith (2023) discusses the effects of MedX on cardiovascular health.

Notes:
This example is noteworthy for its clear focus on a single medication's impact on health, typical for clinical trial reports.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description: This is a guideline released by the American Heart Association on new cardiovascular disease prevention strategies.

Complete Reference List Citation:
American Heart Association. (2023). New guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention. Journal of the American Medical Association, 330(18), 1450-1460. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.14567

In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
(American Heart Association, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
According to the American Heart Association (2023), the new guidelines emphasize lifestyle changes.

Notes:
This is a classic example of a corporate author, important for citing guidelines or statements from professional organizations.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description: This article is a collaborative study by three researchers on the efficacy of a new surgical technique.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Brown, L. M., Green, T. Q., & White, H. R. (2023). Innovative surgical techniques for knee replacement. Journal of the American Medical Association, 330(21), 1675-1682. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.16789

In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
(Brown, Green, & White, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
Brown, Green, and White (2023) explore innovative surgical techniques for knee replacement.

Notes:
This example highlights the APA format for multiple authors, which is common in collaborative research studies.

Example 4: Special Formatting Case

Scenario Description: This is an editorial piece discussing recent trends in medical research funding.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Johnson, P. R. (2023). Editorial: The future of medical research funding. Journal of the American Medical Association, 330(25), E1-E3. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.17001

In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
(Johnson, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
In his editorial, Johnson (2023) addresses the future of medical research funding.

Notes:
Editorials often use a distinct page numbering format, such as "E1-E3", which is notable for correct APA citation.

These examples demonstrate formatting variety and special cases that students might encounter when citing articles from JAMA or similar journals. Be sure to replace the hypothetical data with actual details from the articles you wish to cite.

Common Issues When Citing Journal of the American Medical Association

Problem 1: Identifying Authors

Issue Description:
Students often struggle to correctly identify and order the authors when citing articles from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Given the frequent presence of multiple authors, this can become a cumbersome task.

Explanation:
JAMA often publishes articles with a large number of contributors. The complexity increases as students may encounter author lists that are truncated with "et al." in the journal’s HTML view, leading to confusion about the complete list of authors.

Solution:
1. Always access the full-text PDF version of the article when available. This version typically lists all authors in the correct order.
2. Use JAMA’s official citation information usually provided at the end of the article, which includes the complete list of authors.
3. For articles with more than 20 authors, list the first 19 authors followed by an ellipsis (…) and then the final author's name, as per APA 7th edition guidelines.

Example:
- Before: Smith J, et al.
- After: Smith J, Johnson R, Williams T, Brown L, et al.

Problem 2: Date Formats

Issue Description:
Students may incorrectly format publication dates, especially when articles are published online ahead of print, which is common in JAMA.

Explanation:
JAMA articles often feature an “online first” publication date, which precedes the final publication date in a physical issue. This can lead to confusion about which date to use.

Solution:
1. Use the "online first" date if the article does not yet have an issue number or page range.
2. Once the article appears in a regular issue, use the print publication date.
3. Format the date in parentheses in the year-month-day sequence, as per APA guidelines.

Example:
- Before: 2023
- After: (2023, August 15)

Problem 3: Handling URLs

Issue Description:
Students often struggle with how to properly include URLs for JAMA articles, particularly when articles are accessed through academic databases that might not provide a direct URL.

Explanation:
JAMA articles accessed via libraries or institutional subscriptions may not always provide a stable URL. Moreover, DOI links are preferred in APA citation but may not always be readily visible.

Solution:
1. Use the DOI link, which is a permanent identifier, if available. Preface it with "https://doi.org/".
2. If no DOI is available, use the stable URL provided by the journal.
3. Avoid using URLs from databases like PubMed or library proxies that may not be accessible to all readers.

Example:
- Before: Retrieved from https://www.jama.com/article123
- After: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.123456

Problem 4: Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Students may not properly note access requirements for JAMA articles, leading to incomplete citations.

Explanation:
JAMA articles may be behind paywalls, requiring institutional access or subscription. This can affect the accessibility of the article for readers reviewing the citation.

Solution:
1. Ensure that when citing such articles, no indication of restricted access is needed in the citation itself.
2. While indicating "Retrieved from" is not required in APA 7th edition for DOIs, ensure access is available through appropriate institutional links if needed.
3. For personal reference, maintain a list of access credentials or library services to easily access these articles.

By focusing on these specific issues and solutions, students can significantly improve their citation practices when working with JAMA articles, aligning with APA 7th edition guidelines and ensuring accuracy and accessibility in their references.

Note: For general Journal Article citation errors, see How to Cite Journal Article.

Frequently Asked Questions About Journal of the American Medical Association

Q: How can I find the necessary citation information for an article from the Journal of the American Medical Association on their website?

A: To locate citation details on JAMA's website, navigate to the article's page, where you will find the title, author(s), publication date, DOI, and other citation elements listed in the article header or footer. Ensure you copy the DOI, as it is essential for APA citations.

Q: How should I format authors' names when citing an article from the Journal of the American Medical Association, considering their unique author formats?

A: JAMA articles often have multiple authors, sometimes with middle initials. In APA format, list up to 20 authors by their last name followed by initials. For more than 20 authors, list the first 19, insert an ellipsis, and then add the final author's name.

Q: What should I do if the publication date for a Journal of the American Medical Association article is listed as a range or includes multiple dates?

A: Use the most specific publication date available, typically the year of publication. If the article includes a month and day, include these in your citation as well, formatted as Year, Month Day.

Q: Are there specific URL or access requirements when citing a Journal of the American Medical Association article in APA format?

A: In APA format, include the DOI as a URL if available (e.g., https://doi.org/xx.xxx/yyyy), which is preferable to a direct URL. If no DOI is available, use the article's stable URL from the JAMA website.

Q: How does citing an article from the Journal of the American Medical Association differ from citing other journal articles in APA format?

A: While the basic citation structure remains similar, JAMA often provides a DOI, which must be included in APA citations. Additionally, the journal's specific author format and publication date presentation may require careful attention to detail when formatting your citation.

Similar Source Types:

Validation Guides:

Need More Help?

Still Have Questions?

If you couldn't find the answer you're looking for, try our citation checker tool or browse all APA guides.

Quick Check Your Citation

Validate APA formatting instantly