Citation and Reference

How do I create a reference list or bibliography?

A reference list or bibliography should be arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name or by the title of the work, depending on the citation style used. Each reference entry should be formatted according to the rules of the chosen citation style.

Can I use websites as references in academic writing?

Yes, websites can be used as references in academic writing, but it’s important to evaluate the credibility and reliability of the website and include all relevant information in the reference entry, such as the author, publication date, and URL.

Do I need to include page numbers in citations for electronic sources?

Page numbers are not always available for electronic sources, so it’s not always necessary to include them in citations. However, if page numbers are available (e.g., for PDF documents), it’s recommended to include them in the citation.

How do I cite sources with multiple authors?

The format for citing sources with multiple authors varies depending on the citation style used. Generally, you would list all authors’ last names in the citation, separated by commas, and use an “&” before the last author’s name.

How do I cite sources that are cited within another source?

This is known as secondary source citation. In such cases, you should cite the original source and indicate that you accessed it through another source. The exact format may vary depending on the citation style used.

Citation and Reference are often used interchangeably but they have distinct meanings in academic writing. A citation is a brief notation within the body of a text that indicates the source of information, ideas, or quoted material; whereas, a reference is a detailed entry at the end of a document that provides full information about a source cited in the text.