13 Discipline-Specific Citation Styles
Kaci Wilson and Jessica Hawkes
Discipline-Specific Citation Styles
APA style, Chicago style, and MLA style are each used in a variety of disciplines, but other citation styles are only used by individuals within specific disciplines. This section discusses citation styles that are commonly used in public health, chemistry, and biology. Like the citation styles in the previous section, each style requires you to cite using both in-text citations and corresponding references.
AMA Style
AMA style is used in health sciences and public health and uses superscript numbers to denote the use of borrowed information. This citation style requires students to cite their sources through both 1) in-text citations and 2) a list of references at the end of the paper.
Superscript Numbers
The Citation-Sequence system requires the use of superscript numbers to note the use of borrowed information. Superscript numbers are inserted:
- Immediately next to the information being cited.
Example: Amoxicillin is often utilized the treatment of bacterial infections.1
- Outside periods and commas.
Example: Due to the risk of medicinal degradation in hot and humid environments, experts recommend storing medications in areas that are cool, dark, and dry.1-3,6
- Inside colons and semi-colons.
Example: While some physicians prefer to store prescription pads in locked cabinets for security reasons 5, others prefer storing prescription pads in the pockets of their lab coats. 9
Each superscript number relates to a corresponding reference at the end of the paper. In the Citation-Sequence system, corresponding references are numbered and placed in the order in which they appeared in the text. Consequently, the first source cited in a paper would be followed by the superscript numeral “1”.
| In-Text Citations | Corresponding References |
| Lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes and physical activity, have been shown to be effective in the management of obesity. A meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials found that lifestyle interventions resulted in a mean weight loss of 5.3 kg after 6 months and 3.2 kg after 12 months.1 Additionally, a systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials found that lifestyle interventions were associated with improvements in metabolic parameters, including glucose levels and blood pressure.2 Pharmacological treatments, including orlistat and liraglutide, have….. |
Cited References Aziz Z, Absetz P, Oldroyd J, Pronk NP, Oldenburg B. A systematic review of real-world diabetes prevention programs: learnings from the last 15 years. Implement Sci. 2015;10:172. doi: 10.1186/s13012-015-0354-6. Franz MJ, VanWormer JJ, Crain AL, et al. Weight-loss outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of weight-loss clinical trials with a minimum 1-year follow-up. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007;107(10):1755-1767. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2007.07.017. |
CSE Style
CSE style is used in the discipline of biology and includes three variations: Name-Year, Citation-Sequence, and Citation-Name. Each variation requires students to cite their sources through both 1) in-text citations and 2) a list of references at the end of the paper. Most courses that require CSE style will utilize the Name-Year format, but it is recommended that you ask your instructor if you are unsure which variation to use.
Name-Year
In the Name-Year variation of CSE style, an in-text citation including the author’s name and the year of publication may be placed directly after the borrowed information.
Alternatively, you may integrate the author’s information through the use of an introductory phrase by placing the year in parentheses after the author’s name.
Full citation information is provided in a list of corresponding references at the end of the paper, and the references are organized in alphabetical order. CSE style allows students to choose to title this page References or Cited References. The example below illustrates in-text citations and corresponding Cited References entries for a book, online article, and book chapter.
| In-Text Citations | Corresponding References |
| Although Canada’s multicultural policy is liberal and democratic in its goals, there are reasons to be skeptical about its value. Detractors argue that the state should not enshrine differences into policy, but should rather aim to treat everyone the same, or more accurately, provide the conditions such that all members of society can have access to equal opportunities (Barry 2001). One could even argue that a multicultural policy magnifies cultural differences instead of promoting a homogeneous diversity. The policy has also been attacked for promoting the interests of the English-Canadian majority (Day and Sadick 2002). Mitchell (1996) goes even further with this, arguing that it is a policy designed to further the capitalist interests of the “elite”. At the core of this argument, however, is the question of whether or not the policy is any good… |
Cited References Barry B. 2001. Culture and equality: An egalitarian critique of multiculturalism. Cambridge (MA): Harvard University Press. Day RF, Sadick T. 2002. The BC land question, liberal multiculturalism, and the spectre of aboriginal nationhood. BC Studies. 134: 5-34. Mitchell K. 1996. In whose interest? Transnational capital and the production of multiculturalism in Canada. In: Wilson R, & Dissanayake W, editors. Global/local: Cultural production and the transnational imaginary. Chapel Hill (NC): Duke University Press. p. 219-254. |
Citation-Sequence and Citation-Name
The Citation-Sequence and Citation-Name systems require the use of superscript numbers to note the use of borrowed information.
Each superscript number relates to a corresponding reference at the end of the paper. In the Citation-Sequence system, corresponding references are numbered and placed in the order in which they appeared in the text. Consequently, the first source cited in a paper would be followed by the superscript numeral “1”.
| In-Text Citations | Corresponding References |
| Although Canada’s multicultural policy is liberal and democratic in its goals, there are reasons to be skeptical about its value. Detractors argue that the state should not enshrine differences into policy, but should rather aim to treat everyone the same, or more accurately, provide the conditions such that all members of society can have access to equal opportunities1. One could even argue that a multicultural policy magnifies cultural differences instead of promoting a homogeneous diversity. Mitchell posits that it is a policy designed to further the capitalist interests of the “elite”2. Likewise, the policy has been attacked for promoting the interests of the English-Canadian majority3. At the core of this argument, however, is the question of whether or not the policy is any good… |
Cited References 1. Barry B. Culture and equality: An egalitarian critique of multiculturalism. Cambridge (MA): Harvard University Press; 2001. 2. Mitchell K. In whose interest? Transnational capital and the production of multiculturalism in Canada. In: Wilson R, & Dissanayake W, editors. Global/local: Cultural production and the transnational imaginary. Chapel Hill (NC): Duke University Press; 1996. p. 219-254. 3. Day RF, Sadick T. The BC land question, liberal multiculturalism, and the spectre of aboriginal nationhood. BC Studies. 2002; 134: 5-34. |
Corresponding references are formatted in the same way when using the Citation-Name system, but they are ordered in alphabetical order instead of order of appearance.
| In-Text Citations | Corresponding References |
| Although Canada’s multicultural policy is liberal and democratic in its goals, there are reasons to be skeptical about its value. Detractors argue that the state should not enshrine differences into policy, but should rather aim to treat everyone the same, or more accurately, provide the conditions such that all members of society can have access to equal opportunities1. One could even argue that a multicultural policy magnifies cultural differences instead of promoting a homogeneous diversity. Mitchell posits that it is a policy designed to further the capitalist interests of the “elite”2. Likewise, the policy has been attacked for promoting the interests of the English-Canadian majority3. At the core of this argument, however, is the question of whether or not the policy is any good… |
Cited References 1. Barry B. Culture and equality: An egalitarian critique of multiculturalism. Cambridge (MA): Harvard University Press; 2001. 2. Day RF, Sadick T. The BC land question, liberal multiculturalism, and the spectre of aboriginal nationhood. BC Studies. 2002; 134: 5-34. 3. Mitchell K. In whose interest? Transnational capital and the production of multiculturalism in Canada. In: Wilson R, & Dissanayake W, editors. Global/local: Cultural production and the transnational imaginary. Chapel Hill (NC): Duke University Press; 1996. p. 219-254. |
ACS Style
ACS style is used in chemistry courses. It includes three methods of citation: italic numbers, superscript numbers, and author name and date. Each method requires students to cite their sources through both 1) in-text citations and 2) a list of references at the end of the paper.
Italic Numbers
When using the italic numbers method of ACS style, an italic number is placed in parentheses to indicate when borrowed information is used. The italic number can be placed:
- Within the cited information.
- At the end of the cited information.
The page with corresponding references is titled “References” and organized in numerical order based on the order in which references appeared in the text.
| In-Text Citations | Corresponding References |
| Although Canada’s multicultural policy is liberal and democratic in its goals, there are reasons to be skeptical about its value. Detractors argue that the state should not enshrine differences into policy, but should rather aim to treat everyone the same, or more accurately, provide the conditions such that all members of society can have access to equal opportunities (1). One could even argue that a multicultural policy magnifies cultural differences instead of promoting a homogeneous diversity. The policy has also been attacked for promoting the interests of the English-Canadian majority (2). Mitchell (3) goes even further with this, arguing that it is a policy designed to further the capitalist interests of the “elite”. At the core of this argument, however, is the question of whether or not the policy is any good… |
References 1. Barry, B. Culture and Equality: An Egalitarian Critique of Multiculturalism; Harvard University Press, 2001. 2. Day, R. F.; Sadick, T. The BC Land Question, Liberal Multiculturalism, and the Spectre of Aboriginal Nationhood. BC Studies. 2002, 134, 5-34. DOI: 10.14288/bcs.v0i134.162 3. Mitchell K. In Whose Interest? Transnational Capital and the Production of Multiculturalism in Canada. In Global/Local: Cultural Production and the Transnational imaginary; Wilson, R., Dissanayake, W., Eds.; Duke University Press, 1996; pp 219-254. |
Superscript Numbers
The superscript numbers method of ACS style requires the use of a superscript numeral to denote the use of borrowed information. This superscript number can be placed:
- Within the cited information.
- At the end of the cited information.
Like in the italic numbers method, corresponding references are placed in numerical order based on the order in which references first appeared in the text.
| In-Text Citations | Corresponding References |
| Although Canada’s multicultural policy is liberal and democratic in its goals, there are reasons to be skeptical about its value. Detractors argue that the state should not enshrine differences into policy, but should rather aim to treat everyone the same, or more accurately, provide the conditions such that all members of society can have access to equal opportunities1. One could even argue that a multicultural policy magnifies cultural differences instead of promoting a homogeneous diversity. The policy has also been attacked for promoting the interests of the English-Canadian majority2. Mitchell3 goes even further with this, arguing that it is a policy designed to further the capitalist interests of the “elite”. At the core of this argument, however, is the question of whether or not the policy is any good… |
References 1. Barry, B. Culture and Equality: An Egalitarian Critique of Multiculturalism; Harvard University Press, 2001. 2. Day, R. F.; Sadick, T. The BC Land Question, Liberal Multiculturalism, and the Spectre of Aboriginal Nationhood. BC Studies. 2002, 134, 5-34. DOI: 10.14288/bcs.v0i134.162 3. Mitchell K. In Whose Interest? Transnational Capital and the Production of Multiculturalism in Canada. In Global/Local: Cultural Production and the Transnational imaginary; Wilson, R., Dissanayake, W., Eds.; Duke University Press, 1996; pp 219-254. |
Author Name and Date
To apply the author name and date method, provide author-date information in parentheses directly after the use of borrowed information.
You may also choose to describe this information through an introductory phrase. After mentioning the author’s name, the date is placed in parentheses at the end of the sentence.
Unlike the other two ACS methods, the References page in the author name and date method is organized in alphabetical order.
| In-Text Citations | Corresponding References |
| Although Canada’s multicultural policy is liberal and democratic in its goals, there are reasons to be skeptical about its value. Detractors argue that the state should not enshrine differences into policy, but should rather aim to treat everyone the same, or more accurately, provide the conditions such that all members of society can have access to equal opportunities (Barry, 2001). One could even argue that a multicultural policy magnifies cultural differences instead of promoting a homogeneous diversity. The policy has also been attacked for promoting the interests of the English-Canadian majority (Day and Sadick, 2002). Mitchell goes even further with this, arguing that it is a policy designed to further the capitalist interests of the “elite” (1996). At the core of this argument, however, is the question of whether or not the policy is any good… |
References Barry, B. Culture and Equality: An Egalitarian Critique of Multiculturalism; Harvard University Press, 2001. Day, R. F.; Sadick, T. The BC Land Question, Liberal Multiculturalism, and the Spectre of Aboriginal Nationhood. BC Studies. 2002, 134, 5-34. DOI: 10.14288/bcs.v0i134.162 Mitchell K. In Whose Interest? Transnational Capital and the Production of Multiculturalism in Canada. In Global/Local: Cultural Production and the Transnational imaginary; Wilson, R., Dissanayake, W., Eds.; Duke University Press, 1996; pp 219-254. |
