Mode of Citation & Bibliography

 

Mode of Citation

The mode of citation refers to the way in which sources are cited or referenced in a research paper or report. It involves the method used to give credit to the original authors of the information, ideas, or data that you have used in your work. Citations serve two key purposes:

1. Acknowledgment: Giving credit to the original source of ideas, data, or text.
2. Verification: Allowing readers to verify the sources you used, so they can trace your references and ensure the credibility of your research.

Key Components of a Citation:

1. In-text citation: A brief citation within the text of your report or paper that points to the full reference at the end of the document. In-text citations typically include the author’s name and publication year or page number, depending on the citation style.

   • Examples:
     • APA: (Smith, 2020)
     • MLA: (Smith 45)
     • Chicago (footnote): John Smith, Research Methods, 2020, 45.

2. Full citation in the bibliography or reference list: This includes all the necessary details about the source, such as the author’s name, title of the work, publication year, publisher, and, in the case of journal articles, volume, issue, and page numbers.

Common Citation Styles:

1. APA Style (American Psychological Association) – commonly used in social sciences.
2. MLA Style (Modern Language Association) – commonly used in the humanities.
3. Chicago/Turabian Style – used in history, arts, and business disciplines.

Each citation style has specific rules for formatting in-text citations and the full reference at the end of the document.

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Bibliography

A bibliography is a detailed list of all the sources (books, articles, websites, etc.) that you consulted or referenced during your research, placed at the end of your research report or paper. The purpose of a bibliography is to provide readers with full information about each source so they can locate it if needed.

Difference Between a Bibliography and a Reference List:

• Bibliography: Includes all sources you consulted, whether you cited them in the text or not. It provides a broader scope of works that influenced your research.
• Reference List: Includes only the sources you actually cited in your research.

Common Bibliography Formats:

• APA: Lists references alphabetically by the author's last name, with a specific format for each source type (book, journal, website, etc.).

  • Example:
    • Smith, J. (2020). Research methodology in social sciences. Academic Press.

• MLA: The “Works Cited” page lists the sources alphabetically, also with distinct formatting for books, articles, etc.

  • Example:
    • Smith, John. Research Methodology in Social Sciences. Academic Press, 2020.

• Chicago: A bibliography lists all sources in a format similar to the APA and MLA styles but often includes more detailed information.

  • Example:
    • Smith, John. Research Methodology in Social Sciences. New York: Academic Press, 2020.

In summary, citations are brief references within the text that point to full details in the bibliography, where readers can find comprehensive information on all the sources you've used.