Citations are used to identify and locate publications (book, journal article, video, etc.). They usually include title, author, publisher and date of publication. SMU instructors often require students to cite their sources using one of three styles. To make the process easier, SMU provides its students with the use of EndNote, an online research management tool that generates citations and bibliographies in a range of styles.

For writing help, contact the Writing Center for tutoring services. 

Citation Styles

Distinct citation styles have been developed by professional and scholarly associations including the APA (American Psychological Association), the AMA (American Medical Association), and the ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors).

An instructor will commonly ask you to adhere to a specific style when citing sources in a research paper or essay. This can be challenging, as each style contains its own formatting rules for citations, both in the body of the paper (in-text citations) and on the reference page. Your best defense is a good offense—be familiar with the styles most SMU instructors require: APA, AMA, and the ICMJE's URM.

Here are some useful resources on citations:

APA citation style

AMA citation style

Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors ICMJE)

Citing Government Publications

EndNote

EndNote is a citation management software that allows users to:

  • Export citations from various databases to EndNote (e.g. PubMed, CINAHL, OneSearch)
  • Format citations in various citation styles (e.g. APA 7th edition, AMA 11th edition)
  • Organize citations in a searchable personal library and share with others.
  • Format bibliographies and in-text citations in word processing documents.

Faculty, students and staff can download EndNote to manage references and create bibliographies in APA, AMA, or any style of their choosing. SMU librarians. are available to provide training and support for EndNote users.

For more information, refer to the EndNote research guide.

Academic Writer (formerly APA Style Central)

"Academic Writer is APA's authoritative solution offering you a complete digital environment for teaching, learning, and writing academic papers. 
LEARN: Use the Learning Center to find video quick guides and tutorials to help you get started and refine your research and writing. 
REFERENCE: Use the Reference Center to find tools to assist you with building and managing a reference library. 
WRITE: Use the Writing Center to select an APA Style paper template, collaborate with peers and reviewers, and check your work."

Create your own Academic Writer account

Other Free Bibliographic Tools

To help you study and practice for license and certification exams, the libraries have developed a regularly updated collection of resources for each program. This collection includes NCLEX and USMLE review materials, as well as study materials for PT, OT, PA, NP, CRNA, Case Manager, and most specialized medical topics.

Click on your program to see a list of these materials

Would you like an exam book we don't currently have? Is there a new edition? Let us know.

The Library can obtain journal articles and books that are not available in the Library 's catalog.

Request form

  • Students may submit a total of 20 requests per semester, with five active requests at a time
  • After the first 20 requests, each additional request will incur a $2 fee
  • Exceptions will be made for students working on synthesis and thesis assignments

Questions? Call the Oakland Library Circulation Desk 510.879.9290 or email us at library@samuelmerritt.libanswers.com.

  • The Graziano Library in Oakland has two printers with color and scanning capabilities. Payment is through the pay-for-print system
  • Nine computer work stations
  • Three laptops are available to check out for in-library use. Each laptop has a USB port to which you can connect a flash drive, Microsoft Office, SecureExam, Inspiration, and wireless access to the Internet
  • The library's computer lab is also equipped with computers for use by SMU students, faculty, and staff. The computer lab is open the same hours as the library. It is equipped with 28 PCs and four Macs. Each computer has printer access and the Microsoft Office suite
  • The Oakland library has 10 rooms available for group study sessions; four of them are equipped with video and DVD viewing equipment
  • Whiteboard markers are available to check out from the circulation desk
  • The library group study rooms and additional seminar rooms in the Health Education Center (220, 225, 225A, and 225B) can be reserved through the SMU Campus Schedule page or by contacting the HEC staff
  • Please read additional information about the room reservation system prior to booking

The Library provides access to several collections of eBooks. Off-campus access is gained by entering your SMU login and password when prompted.

Browse all ebooks in the library's catalog 

Ebook Collections

Access Medicine: Full-text of Lange's basic sciences and clinical sciences series.

American Heart Association Ebooks: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Provider Manual, Basic Life Support Provider Manual, PALS

Books @ OVID: Incredibly Easy Series, Medical Terminology (English & Spanish), Nursing

Ebook Central: Drug Handbook, Nursing

EBSCOhost: Anesthesia, SMU Community Reads 2017-2020

R2 Digital Library: Ferri’s Clinical Advisor, Saunders Physical Therapy Board Exam Review

STAT!Ref: Davis’s PA Exam Review, Davis’s NCLEX-RN, Davis’s Drug Guide, Lippincott’s Video Series nursing, physical Therapy

Bartleby.com: Literature, reference, verse

Merck: Merck manuals

Martindale's Health Science Guide: Virtual medical center

PubMed Bookshelf (NCBI Bookshelf): Biomedical books

Flying Publisher: Medical books

The library accepts recommendations for books that support University programs as well as the broader mission of the University.

Request a purchase form

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