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AMA Style

A guide to citing in AMA style.

DOI or URL?

The DOI or URL is the final component of a reference list entry. Because so much scholarship is available and/or retrieved online, most reference list entries end with either a DOI or a URL.

  • DOI is a unique alphanumeric string that identifies content and provides a persistent link to its location on the internet. DOIs can be found in database records and the reference lists of published works.
  • URL specifies the location of digital information on the internet and can be found in the address bar of your internet browser. URLs in references should link directly to the cited work when possible.

The AMA recommends using a DOI if it is available. You can use it in place of a URL.

You do not need to include date accessed if you are using the DOI.