"A digital object identifier (DOI) is a unique alphanumeric string assigned by a registration agency (the International DOI Foundation) to identify content and provide a persistent link to its location on the Internet." -American Psychological Association (APA)
Where can you find a DOI?
The DOI is located in the article record in the database or on the 1st page of the PDF.
What is a persistent URL?
A persistent URL is one that never changes and will ALWAYS bring you back to this journal article.
Where can you find a Persistent URL?
In EbscoHost databases, go into the full record for the article and click on the Permalink option of the right hand side. This will place a box above the title with the persistent URL in it. You can then copy and paste the link into your reference list.
Other databases provide a persistent URL at the bottom of the full record for the article that you can copy and paste into your reference list.
Use the flowchart below to determine when to include DOIs, URLs, or database information for your reference citations.
The biggest change in citations from the previous AMA guide to the current 11th edition is that book citations no longer need to include the publisher's location.
Six (or fewer) authors
Six (or fewer) editors
Greater than six editors with multiple editions
The same citation structure applies as for print books with the addition of the accessed date and a URL. Note that there is no period after the URL.
Six (or fewer) authors with multiple editions
Advanced book citations can be found here.
Citations for journal articles require National Library of Medicine (NLM) abbreviations for journal titles. You can search for the journal abbreviation through the NLM Database.
Six (or fewer) authors
Greater than six authors
The citation style rules above still apply. The distinction in a citation for an online journal is that you include the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) or a persistent URL. Note there is no period after a DOI or URL.
With a DOI
Without a DOI
Advanced journal citations can be found here.
When citing a website, include as much information as possible. Always include the accessed date and double-check your URL before finalizing your papers. No period after a URL at the end of the citation.
Websites with named author
Websites with no named author
More electronic citations can be found here.