2020).
Format | Author surname, initial. (Year) . Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year). |
Example | Google (2019) . Available at: https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en-US (Accessed: 29 April 2020). |
Notes |
Format | Author surname, initial. (Year) ‘Article title’, , Date. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year). |
Example | Rakich, N. (2020) ‘How does Biden stack up to past Democratic nominees?’, , 28 April. Available at: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-does-biden-stack-up-to-past-democratic-nominees/ (Accessed: 29 April 2020). |
Notes |
Format | Author surname, initial. [username] (Year) or text [Website name] Date. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year). |
Example | Dorsey, J. [@jack] (2018) We’re committing Twitter to help increase the collective health, openness, and civility of public conversation … [Twitter] 1 March. Available at: https://twitter.com/jack/status/969234275420655616 (Accessed: 29 April 2020). |
Notes |
Format | Author surname, initial. (Year) [Medium]. Institution, City or Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year). |
Example | Bosch, H. (1482) [Triptych]. Groeningemuseum, Bruges. |
Notes |
Format | Author surname, initial. (Year) . Date. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year). |
Example | Vox (2020) . 10 April. Available at: https://youtu.be/BE-cA4UK07c (Accessed: 29 April 2020). |
Notes |
Format | Author surname, initial. (Year) ‘Article title’, , date, p. page number. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year). |
Example | Butler, S. (2020) ‘Women’s fashion manufacturer to make reusable gowns for NHS’, , 28 April. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/28/womens-fashion-manufacturer-to-make-reusable-gowns-for-nhs (Accessed: 29 April 2020). |
Notes |
Format | Author surname, initial. (Year) ‘Article title’, , Volume(Issue) or (Month) or (Season), pp. page range. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year). |
Example | Newman, J. (2020) ‘For autistic youths entering adulthood, a new world of challenges awaits’, , (May), pp. 20–24. |
Notes |
When a source has up to three authors, list all of them in the order their names appear on the source. If there are four or more, give only the first name followed by ‘ et al. ’:
Number of authors | Reference example |
---|---|
1 author | Davis, V. (2019) … |
2 authors | Davis, V. and Barrett, M. (2019) … |
3 authors | Davis, V., Barrett, M. and McLachlan, F. (2019) … |
4+ authors | Davis, V. (2019) … |
Sometimes a source won’t list all the information you need for your reference. Here’s what to do when you don’t know the publication date or author of a source.
Some online sources, as well as historical documents, may lack a clear publication date. In these cases, you can replace the date in the reference list entry with the words ‘no date’. With online sources, you still include an access date at the end:
When a source doesn’t list an author, you can often list a corporate source as an author instead, as with ‘Scribbr’ in the above example. When that’s not possible, begin the entry with the title instead of the author:
Though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference in meaning:
In Harvard referencing, up to three author names are included in an in-text citation or reference list entry. When there are four or more authors, include only the first, followed by ‘ et al. ’
In-text citation | Reference list | |
---|---|---|
1 author | (Smith, 2014) | Smith, T. (2014) … |
2 authors | (Smith and Jones, 2014) | Smith, T. and Jones, F. (2014) … |
3 authors | (Smith, Jones and Davies, 2014) | Smith, T., Jones, F. and Davies, S. (2014) … |
4+ authors | (Smith , 2014) | Smith, T. (2014) … |
In Harvard style referencing , to distinguish between two sources by the same author that were published in the same year, you add a different letter after the year for each source:
Add ‘a’ to the first one you cite, ‘b’ to the second, and so on. Do the same in your bibliography or reference list .
To create a hanging indent for your bibliography or reference list :
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.
Caulfield, J. (2022, November 07). Harvard Style Bibliography | Format & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 2 July 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/referencing/harvard-bibliography/
Last Updated: June 12, 2024 Fact Checked
This article was co-authored by Diane Stubbs . Diane Stubbs is a Secondary English Teacher with over 22 years of experience teaching all high school grade levels and AP courses. She specializes in secondary education, classroom management, and educational technology. Diane earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Delaware and a Master of Education from Wesley College. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 667,865 times.
When you write a paper or a book, it's important to include a bibliography. A bibliography tells your reader what sources you've used. It lists all the books, articles, and other references you cited in or used to inform your work. Bibliographies are typically formatted according to one of three styles: American Psychological Association (APA) for scientific papers, Modern Language Association (MLA) for humanities papers, and Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) for the social sciences. Make sure you always check with your superior - whether a professor or boss - about which style they prefer.
To create an APA bibliography, title a separate page at the end of your paper "References." Then, use the authors' last names to organize your list alphabetically, for example by writing the author John Adam Smith as "Smith, J. A." If a source has more than 7 authors, list the first 7 before adding an ellipses. To cite an article, include the author's name, year of publication, article title, publication title, and page numbers. When citing a book, begin with the author's name, then the date of publication, title in Italics, location of the publisher, and publisher's name. For tips on how to write an MLA or CMS bibliography, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No
Mar 11, 2023
Mar 12, 2020
Braden White
Oct 21, 2020
Oct 12, 2017
Savanna Brantley
Feb 12, 2021
wikiHow Tech Help Pro:
Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve
authorsafterdark.org
research paper writing tips from the top experts
A bibliography is undoubtedly one of the most essential parts of every research paper. A research paper without a bibliography equals poorly conducted research. As such, the importance of a bibliography in a research paper cannot be overemphasized.
To produce well-constructed research, you must consult other authors and use their materials to support your argument. This is the only way to give these authors their credit; by listing them out in your bibliography.
Acknowledging the sources used in writing the topic is an effective approach to avoiding plagiarism in your research. It is also a great way to provide and inform other scholars with sources they may not be aware of. This article seeks to provide the format of bibliography and how to write a good bibliography for your research paper.
Simply put, a bibliography is a list of works used in writing a research paper. Every research paper must contain a list of sources the author used in preparing the research paper. Your source can range from books to scholarly papers, speeches, private records, interviews, letters, websites, and other sources.
Your research paper was not created in a vacuum; you must have consulted other authors or sourced to create enriched content. Therefore, at the end of your research, you must attach a list of all the sources used.
Writing a bibliography isn’t so hard; all you need is a list of sources used and a format for documenting them. To make things easier for you, prepare a draft comprising all of the sources you must have used. Ensure you include the book’s full title, the author, place of publication, publication date, and publisher. All sources must be listed out alphabetically using the authors’ names.
It is also important to note that there are different formats for writing a bibliography. As such, you must decide which format to employ in your research paper. You can format your work in Modern Language Association (MLA) format, American Psychological Association (APA), or Chicago Manual of Style (CMS). Regardless of which you choose, ensure that it is done correctly.
Once you have an idea of how to format a bibliography, most of the work is completed. However, when writing it you need to pay close attention to each format and its content to avoid mixing them up. For printed sources, the bibliography of a research paper should provide the following:
To document sources from a website, you need to document the following:
The common formats for writing a bibliography in a research paper are MLA and APA style. A bibliography is known as “Works Cited” in MLA and on the other hand, it is called “References List” in APA. Though both formats contain similar information about the sources used, there are still slight differences in formatting style. Here’s what MLA and APA bibliography styles should look like.
Your research paper’s bibliography must be attached at the end of it with the tag “References” at the center. In addition to this, you need to pay attention to the basics of APA style, such as capitalization, abbreviation, punctuation, underlining or italics, hanging indentation, and others. Here’s a research paper bibliography example in APA style:
Author’s last name, first initial. (Publication date). Book title . City of Publication: Publishing company.
Author’s last name, first initial. (Date). Title of Article. Title of Encyclopedia (Volumes, pages). City of Publication: Publishing Company.
Author’s last name, first initial. (Publication Date). Article title. Periodical title, Volume number (issue number if there’s any), page numbers.
Bibliography in MLA format is called “Works cited” and must be arranged in alphabetical order according to the author’s name. Here’s the required format for MLA style for varying sources:
“Author’s last name, first name. Book title. Publication City: Publishing company, publication date.”
“Author’s last name, first name. “Title of Article.” Encyclopedia’s Title. Date.”
“Author’s last name, first name. “Article title.” Periodical title volume Date: inclusive pages.”
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Chicago manual bibliography page citation guide, examples of citations for online sources, examples of citations for online periodicals, examples of citations for print sources.
CMS Citation has been broken down into three sections: Print Sources , Online Sources , and Online Periodicals . For further examples and instruction, ask a teacher, librarian, or stop by the Academic Resource Center.
Lopes, Paul. Demanding Respect: The Evolution of the American Comic Book . Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2009. ProQuest Ebook Central.
Newspaper published online:
Nordheimer, Jon. “Nationalists Urge a New Irish State.” New York Times , May 3, 1984. http://www.nytimes.com/1984/05/03/world/nationalists-urge-a-new-irish-state.html.
CMS periodical citations include author name, article title, publication title, publication date, and issue information. CMS also requires the name of the database for journals accessed online. For sources from the open web, include the access date and URL/DOI.
Scholarly Journal Article from a Library Database:
Siegel, Fred. "Clown Politics: Report on the International Clown-Theatre Congress." TDR (1988-) 36, no. 2 (1992): 182-86. JSTOR.
Online Magazine/Newspaper Article:
With URL:
Piggy, M. “Of Frogs and Men.” Nature . February 19, 2005. Accessed January 12, 2016. http://www.nature.com/articles/frogs_and_men.
Stokstad, Erik. "Loss of Dung Beetles Puts Ecosystems in Deep Doo-Doo." Science 305, no. 5688 (2004): 1230. Accessed January 12, 2016. doi:10.1126/science.305.5688.1230a.
Basic Book Format:
Lastname, Firstname. Title of the Book . Publication City: Publisher, Year.
Cole, Joshua, and Judith Coffin G. Western Civilizations: Their History & Their Culture . New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012.
Daily Newspaper (print):
West, Kanye. “I’ma Let You Finish.” Los Angeles Times , September 3, 2009.
Academic integrity and documentation, explore more of umgc.
Types of Documentation
What is a bibliography.
A bibliography is a list of books and other source material that you have used in preparing a research paper. Sometimes these lists will include works that you consulted but did not cite specifically in your assignment. Consult the style guide required for your assignment to determine the specific title of your bibliography page as well as how to cite each source type. Bibliographies are usually placed at the end of your research paper.
A special kind of bibliography, the annotated bibliography, is often used to direct your readers to other books and resources on your topic. An instructor may ask you to prepare an annotated bibliography to help you narrow down a topic for your research assignment. Such bibliographies offer a few lines of information, typically 150-300 words, summarizing the content of the resource after the bibliographic entry.
Waddell, Marie L., Robert M. Esch, and Roberta R. Walker. The Art of Styling Sentences: 20 Patterns for Success. 3rd ed. New York: Barron’s, 1993. A comprehensive look at 20 sentence patterns and their variations to teach students how to write effective sentences by imitating good style.
Mailing Address: 3501 University Blvd. East, Adelphi, MD 20783 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License . © 2022 UMGC. All links to external sites were verified at the time of publication. UMGC is not responsible for the validity or integrity of information located at external sites.
Chapter 1: College Writing
How Does College Writing Differ from Workplace Writing?
What Is College Writing?
Why So Much Emphasis on Writing?
Chapter 2: The Writing Process
Doing Exploratory Research
Getting from Notes to Your Draft
Introduction
Prewriting - Techniques to Get Started - Mining Your Intuition
Prewriting: Targeting Your Audience
Prewriting: Techniques to Get Started
Prewriting: Understanding Your Assignment
Rewriting: Being Your Own Critic
Rewriting: Creating a Revision Strategy
Rewriting: Getting Feedback
Rewriting: The Final Draft
Techniques to Get Started - Outlining
Techniques to Get Started - Using Systematic Techniques
Thesis Statement and Controlling Idea
Writing: Getting from Notes to Your Draft - Freewriting
Writing: Getting from Notes to Your Draft - Summarizing Your Ideas
Writing: Outlining What You Will Write
Chapter 3: Thinking Strategies
A Word About Style, Voice, and Tone
A Word About Style, Voice, and Tone: Style Through Vocabulary and Diction
Critical Strategies and Writing
Critical Strategies and Writing: Analysis
Critical Strategies and Writing: Evaluation
Critical Strategies and Writing: Persuasion
Critical Strategies and Writing: Synthesis
Developing a Paper Using Strategies
Kinds of Assignments You Will Write
Patterns for Presenting Information
Patterns for Presenting Information: Critiques
Patterns for Presenting Information: Discussing Raw Data
Patterns for Presenting Information: General-to-Specific Pattern
Patterns for Presenting Information: Problem-Cause-Solution Pattern
Patterns for Presenting Information: Specific-to-General Pattern
Patterns for Presenting Information: Summaries and Abstracts
Supporting with Research and Examples
Writing Essay Examinations
Writing Essay Examinations: Make Your Answer Relevant and Complete
Writing Essay Examinations: Organize Thinking Before Writing
Writing Essay Examinations: Read and Understand the Question
Chapter 4: The Research Process
Planning and Writing a Research Paper
Planning and Writing a Research Paper: Ask a Research Question
Planning and Writing a Research Paper: Cite Sources
Planning and Writing a Research Paper: Collect Evidence
Planning and Writing a Research Paper: Decide Your Point of View, or Role, for Your Research
Planning and Writing a Research Paper: Draw Conclusions
Planning and Writing a Research Paper: Find a Topic and Get an Overview
Planning and Writing a Research Paper: Manage Your Resources
Planning and Writing a Research Paper: Outline
Planning and Writing a Research Paper: Survey the Literature
Planning and Writing a Research Paper: Work Your Sources into Your Research Writing
Research Resources: Where Are Research Resources Found? - Human Resources
Research Resources: What Are Research Resources?
Research Resources: Where Are Research Resources Found?
Research Resources: Where Are Research Resources Found? - Electronic Resources
Research Resources: Where Are Research Resources Found? - Print Resources
Structuring the Research Paper: Formal Research Structure
Structuring the Research Paper: Informal Research Structure
The Nature of Research
The Research Assignment: How Should Research Sources Be Evaluated?
The Research Assignment: When Is Research Needed?
The Research Assignment: Why Perform Research?
Chapter 5: Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity
Giving Credit to Sources
Giving Credit to Sources: Copyright Laws
Giving Credit to Sources: Documentation
Giving Credit to Sources: Style Guides
Integrating Sources
Practicing Academic Integrity
Practicing Academic Integrity: Keeping Accurate Records
Practicing Academic Integrity: Managing Source Material
Practicing Academic Integrity: Managing Source Material - Paraphrasing Your Source
Practicing Academic Integrity: Managing Source Material - Quoting Your Source
Practicing Academic Integrity: Managing Source Material - Summarizing Your Sources
Types of Documentation: Bibliographies and Source Lists
Types of Documentation: Citing World Wide Web Sources
Types of Documentation: In-Text or Parenthetical Citations
Types of Documentation: In-Text or Parenthetical Citations - APA Style
Types of Documentation: In-Text or Parenthetical Citations - CSE/CBE Style
Types of Documentation: In-Text or Parenthetical Citations - Chicago Style
Types of Documentation: In-Text or Parenthetical Citations - MLA Style
Types of Documentation: Note Citations
Chapter 6: Using Library Resources
Finding Library Resources
Chapter 7: Assessing Your Writing
How Is Writing Graded?
How Is Writing Graded?: A General Assessment Tool
The Draft Stage
The Draft Stage: The First Draft
The Draft Stage: The Revision Process and the Final Draft
The Draft Stage: Using Feedback
The Research Stage
Using Assessment to Improve Your Writing
Chapter 8: Other Frequently Assigned Papers
Reviews and Reaction Papers: Article and Book Reviews
Reviews and Reaction Papers: Reaction Papers
Writing Arguments
Writing Arguments: Adapting the Argument Structure
Writing Arguments: Purposes of Argument
Writing Arguments: References to Consult for Writing Arguments
Writing Arguments: Steps to Writing an Argument - Anticipate Active Opposition
Writing Arguments: Steps to Writing an Argument - Determine Your Organization
Writing Arguments: Steps to Writing an Argument - Develop Your Argument
Writing Arguments: Steps to Writing an Argument - Introduce Your Argument
Writing Arguments: Steps to Writing an Argument - State Your Thesis or Proposition
Writing Arguments: Steps to Writing an Argument - Write Your Conclusion
Writing Arguments: Types of Argument
Dictionaries
General Style Manuals
Researching on the Internet
Special Style Manuals
Writing Handbooks
Collaborative Writing: Assignments to Accompany the Group Project
Collaborative Writing: Informal Progress Report
Collaborative Writing: Issues to Resolve
Collaborative Writing: Methodology
Collaborative Writing: Peer Evaluation
Collaborative Writing: Tasks of Collaborative Writing Group Members
Collaborative Writing: Writing Plan
General Introduction
Peer Reviewing
Working with Your Instructor’s Comments and Grades
Devising a Writing Project Plan and Schedule
Reviewing Your Plan with Others
By using our website you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more about how we use cookies by reading our Privacy Policy .
Scribbr Citation Generator
Accurate APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard citations, verified by experts, trusted by millions
Cite any page or article with a single click right from your browser. The extension does the hard work for you by automatically grabbing the title, author(s), publication date, and everything else needed to whip up the perfect citation.
⚙️ Styles | APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard |
---|---|
📚 Source types | Websites, books, articles |
🔎 Autocite | Search by title, URL, DOI, or ISBN |
Inaccurate citations can cost you points on your assignments, so our seasoned citation experts have invested countless hours in perfecting Scribbr’s citation generator algorithms. We’re proud to be recommended by teachers and universities worldwide.
Staying focused is already difficult enough, so unlike other citation generators, Scribbr won’t slow you down with flashing banner ads and video pop-ups. That’s a promise!
Look up your source by its title, URL, ISBN, or DOI, and let Scribbr find and fill in all the relevant information automatically.
Generate flawless citations according to the official APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard style, or many other rules.
When your reference list is complete, export it to Word. We’ll apply the official formatting guidelines automatically.
Create separate reference lists for each of your assignments to stay organized. You can also group related lists into folders.
Are you using a LaTex editor like Overleaf? If so, you can easily export your references in Bib(La)TeX format with a single click.
Change the typeface used for your reference list to match the rest of your document. Options include Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri.
Scribbr’s Citation Generator is built using the same citation software (CSL) as Mendeley and Zotero, but with an added layer for improved accuracy.
Describe or evaluate your sources in annotations, and Scribbr will generate a perfectly formatted annotated bibliography .
Scribbr’s popular guides and videos will help you understand everything related to finding, evaluating, and citing sources.
Your work is saved automatically after every change and stored securely in your Scribbr account.
Tools and resources, a quick guide to working with sources.
Working with sources is an important skill that you’ll need throughout your academic career.
It includes knowing how to find relevant sources, assessing their authority and credibility, and understanding how to integrate sources into your work with proper referencing.
This quick guide will help you get started!
Sources commonly used in academic writing include academic journals, scholarly books, websites, newspapers, and encyclopedias. There are three main places to look for such sources:
When using academic databases or search engines, you can use Boolean operators to refine your results.
Get started
In academic writing, your sources should be credible, up to date, and relevant to your research topic. Useful approaches to evaluating sources include the CRAAP test and lateral reading.
CRAAP is an abbreviation that reminds you of a set of questions to ask yourself when evaluating information.
Lateral reading means comparing your source to other sources. This allows you to:
If a source is using methods or drawing conclusions that are incompatible with other research in its field, it may not be reliable.
Once you have found information that you want to include in your paper, signal phrases can help you to introduce it. Here are a few examples:
Function | Example sentence | Signal words and phrases |
---|---|---|
You present the author’s position neutrally, without any special emphasis. | recent research, food services are responsible for one-third of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. | According to, analyzes, asks, describes, discusses, explains, in the words of, notes, observes, points out, reports, writes |
A position is taken in agreement with what came before. | Recent research Einstein’s theory of general relativity by observing light from behind a black hole. | Agrees, confirms, endorses, reinforces, promotes, supports |
A position is taken for or against something, with the implication that the debate is ongoing. | Allen Ginsberg artistic revision … | Argues, contends, denies, insists, maintains |
Following the signal phrase, you can choose to quote, paraphrase or summarize the source.
Whenever you quote, paraphrase, or summarize a source, you must include a citation crediting the original author.
Citing your sources is important because it:
The most common citation styles are APA, MLA, and Chicago style. Each citation style has specific rules for formatting citations.
Scribbr offers tons of tools and resources to make working with sources easier and faster. Take a look at our top picks:
Verify originality of an essay
Get ideas for your paper
Find top study documents
Updated 27 Jun 2024
Research paper writing go through several clear steps and one of them is to explain where your sources come from. Each research culminates in a citation page or bibliography, with the chosen format contingent upon your study area. Completing this part of academic writing may be challenging for most students. We’ll gladly assist you with this task if you're one of them.
This informative guide is designed to answer your question about how to write a bibliography for a research paper. You’ll gain an understanding of this section’s purpose and importance, its essential components, and its structure. We’ll delve into popular citation styles and provide a sample bibliography page to help you.
Before making a bibliography, it's important to understand what it is. A bibliography is a list of all the sources you used or mentioned in your work. How you format it depends on your style, like MLA, APA, or Chicago. These three styles are the most widely used.
A research paper bibliography is a big list that includes books, journals, websites, and other sources you use for your research. It's like a record of all the things you looked at while working on your assignment. It's important to remember that it's not just the things you mention directly in your paper, but everything you used to gather information.
Creating a correct bibliography involves including these components:
Constructing a citation page may be straightforward if following the correct procedures. Discover three steps to understand how to write a bibliography for a research paper.
While accumulating data for research papers, establishing an initial bibliography can be advantageous. It simplifies the final stages of your work and aids in the organization of your ideas. When composing an initial draft, ensure to compile details:
Upon collecting this information, generate a bibliographic citation following your specific style.
The bibliography should commence on the final page, following any utilized endnotes. The heading’s format will differ depending on your style (Bibliography, Works Cited, or References), and it should be centered in the page’s upper part. It should maintain the same one-inch margins and titles as the rest of the text.
The subsequent task involves arranging entries in alphabetical order. The sorting depends on the author’s surname, the corporation's name, or the respective work's title. Regardless of the chosen style, applying a half-inch hanging indent after the first line of each bibliographic citation is essential. As for spacing requirements, they diverge between Reference, Works Cited, and a Bibliography page.
According to the MLA style guide, the reference section should be titled “Works Cited” and located at the paper's end. MLA style is especially user-friendly for high school students and philosophers, offering clear guidelines for citing various communication sources such as blogs, web pages, and music. In MLA’s in-text citations, the format follows the author-page structure. Additionally, footnotes can be utilized to offer supplementary information.
Here are the key requirements for correct formatting in MLA style:
The page should be titled “Works Cited” and centered at the top.
Use a legible font such as Times New Roman, size 12. Double-space the entire page, including both within and between entries.
List entries alphabetically based on the authors’ last names. If there is no author, use the title for alphabetization.
Create a hanging indent for each entry. The first line of each entry should be flush left, while subsequent lines are indented by 0.5 inches (one tab space). You can adjust this indentation using the paragraph settings in your word processor.
List authors' names with the last name followed by their first name, separated by a comma. If multiple authors exist, use “and” to separate the last two names. If there is no author, start with the title.
Italicize the titles of larger works (books, films, websites) and use quotation marks for titles of shorter works (articles, poems, short stories).
For books, include the title in italics, publisher's name, publication year, and medium (print or eBook). For articles, include the title in quotation marks, the title of the periodical (in italics), volume number, issue number (if applicable), publication year, and page range. For online sources, include the URL.
Include the URL for online materials. If the source has a Digital Object Identifier, include it after publication.
For sources within larger containers (like articles within journals), include the name of the larger container (the journal’s title), which is italicized. For materials that are part of a larger work (like an article in an anthology), provide the title of the larger work in italics.
This style is employed for research papers to simplify citing sources such as manuals, journals, and other technical materials, utilizing an author-date in-text citation approach. Similar to MLA, footnotes can also be employed in APA to provide additional context or convey copyright information.
Creating a research paper bibliography in APA format requires adherence to the following specific guidelines:
The page should be titled “References” and centered at the top of the page.
Use a clear and legible font such as Times New Roman, size 12. Double-space the entire page, including both within and between entries.
Enumerate entries alphabetically based on the authors’ last names. If there is no author, use the first significant word of the title for alphabetization.
Create a hanging indent for each entry. The first line of each entry should be flush left, while subsequent lines are indented by 0.5 inches. This can be achieved through the paragraph settings in your word processor.
List the author’s last name followed by the initials, separated by a comma and an ampersand (&) before the last author's name. If there is no author, start with the title.
Include the publication year in parentheses, followed by a period. If a source has no publication date, use “n.d.” (no date) instead.
Italicize the titles of books, journals, and other standalone works. Use sentence case capitalization for titles (only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized). Titles of articles, chapters, and web pages are not italicized.
Provide the necessary publication information based on the source type. As for books, include their titles, publisher’s names, and locations (cities and states or countries). When referring to the journal articles, including their titles, the journal’s titles in italics, volume numbers, issue numbers (in parentheses), page ranges, and DOI (if available). When using information from online sources, include the URL for websites.
Include the DOI if journal articles and online materials are available. It should be preceded by “doi:” and the full DOI number.
The nature of your bibliography format for a research paper hinges largely on the citation styles you intend to employ. When constructing this section, the initial step involves meticulously reviewing formatting requirements. In this regard, we’ll compare the MLA Works Cited format with the APA References page. While this guide won’t delve into intricate details, it aims to elucidate the connections and distinctions between these two widely utilized styles.
The reference section necessitates the inclusion of all materials consulted or referenced by the author during the research paper creation. This stipulation holds irrespective of whether the source has been directly cited. It must find a place in this section if it has served as a reference for a particular idea. This contrasts with the protocol for a conventional Works Cited page. In contrast to a standard bibliography in a research paper, a Works Cited page should encompass solely those sources explicitly mentioned within the in-text citations.
There is also another subtype of the reference page as an Annotated Bibliography. The key distinction lies in the requirement to elucidate the intended use, determine the purpose, and indicate bibliographic particulars about the author. In addition to the customary entry containing the author and publisher, resembling a bibliographic listing, an Annotated Bibliography necessitates the crafting of a succinct source description. This entails providing a concise overview and highlighting the significance of the source.
First, it’s imperative to verify the presence of the appropriate title for your page: “References” (in APA style), “Works Cited” (in MLA), or simply “Bibliography,” depending on the circumstances and the kinds of sources referenced and consulted. Below is a fundamental checklist for this section, ensuring the inclusion of all vital information.
Let's now delve into the essential rules of writing a bibliography for a research paper:
When you don’t feel confident about a specific source type or its validity, consulting your academic advisor or omitting it entirely is recommended. This approach will contribute to the authoritative tone of your bibliography. Creating a comprehensive bibliography for a research paper can be time-consuming, so if you're short on time, you might consider hiring professionals who write essays for money to ensure your bibliography is accurate and complete.
Here is a sample MLA bibliography page with five different sources. Remember to begin this section on the next page after the final paragraph.
Works Cited
Smith, John A. The Art of Writing. Academic Press, 2020.
Journal article:
Johnson, Lisa M. “Writing Techniques in Modern Literature.” Literary Studies, vol. 12, no. 3, 2018, pp. 45-60.
Brown, Maria. “Effective Writing Tips.” WritingHub, 2022, www.writinghub.com/tips.
Magazine article:
Carter, David. “The Power of Storytelling.” Creative Insights, vol. 5, no. 2, 2019, pp. 20-25.
The Language of Cinema: A Visual Journey. Directed by Sarah Parker, 2021.
The titles of larger works like books and films are italicized, while titles of shorter works like articles and website pages are in quotation marks. Always ensure your sources are accurate and complete based on the source type.
Here's a research paper bibliography example in APA with five different sources:
Smith, J. A. (2020). The Art of Writing. Academic Press.
Johnson, L. M., & Martinez, R. K. (2018). Writing Techniques in Modern Literature. Literary Studies, 12(3), 45-60. doi:10.1016/800651.
Brown, M. (2022, January 15). Tips for Effective Writing. WritingHub. https://www.writinghub.com/tips.
Carter, D. (2019). The Power of Storytelling. Creative Insights, 5(2), 20-25.
Parker, S. (Director). (2021). The Language of Cinema: A Visual Journey.
Apply the hanging indent for each entry, with the first line flush left and subsequent lines indented by 0.5 inches. Based on the source type, ensure the accuracy and completeness of your source details.
Thanks for your feedback.
Seasoned academic writer, nurturing students' writing skills. Expert in citation and plagiarism. Contributing to EduBirdie since 2019. Aspiring author and dedicated volunteer. You will never have to worry about plagiarism as I write essays 100% from scratch. Vast experience in English, History, Ethics, and more.
150+ medical research paper topics for students.
Med Research Topics: What Makes a Good One? Several essential attributes characterize an excellent medical research topic. First and foremost, i...
Have you ever got your scholarly task and been unsure how to start research? Are you a first-year student beginning your project? Whatever the case...
Citing scientific papers is a fundamental skill for every university student engaged in academic pursuits. Proper quotation acknowledges the intell...
Published: 13 July 2021
Author: Greg Robson
If you aren't familiar with writing bibliographies as part of your assignments, it can feel pretty confusing. Often, bibliographies are an afterthought or something left to the last minute. However, if you collect the information as you study, bibliographies can be a hassle-free part of your project. …
Continue reading (2 minutes)...
If you aren't familiar with writing bibliographies as part of your assignments, it can feel pretty confusing. Often, bibliographies are an afterthought or something left to the last minute. However, if you collect the information as you study, bibliographies can be a hassle-free part of your project.
In this guide, we explain exactly what a bibliography is, the different referencing styles and where to find the necessary information.
A bibliography is the list of sources you used to build your assignment. You should include anything you actively referenced in your work and anything you read as part of your project's research and learning phase, even if you don't explicitly cite them within your project.
Your course teacher may request you order your bibliography using primary and secondary sources. This is much more simple than it sounds.
A primary source refers to works created by people directly connected with the topic you are writing about. For example, if you are discussing a psychological study , a primary source would be a psychologist who was actively involved in the study.
On the other hand, secondary sources refer to any authors that discuss the topic you are studying but have no direct association.
We recommend compiling your bibliography as you study. Whether or not you directly reference sources, if you use them as part of your studies, they should be included. By collecting this information and building your bibliography as you go, you’ll find it far less stressful and one less thing to worry about.
The information you need to include in your bibliography will be located in different places, which can be pretty frustrating, particularly if you’ve left your referencing to the last minute. However, there are a few specific places where this information is likely to be found:
In addition to structuring your bibliography correctly, depending on whether your source is a book, magazine, newspaper or webpage, you need to find out what bibliographic style is required.
Different course tutors will ask for a specific referencing style. This means that you simply present your source information in a different order.
There are four main styles that you might be asked to follow: MLA, APA, Harvard or MHRA, and the chosen style will change your reference order:
Points three to five should all be included in the same bracket.
Whatever the style needed for your bibliography, there are some simple rules to follow for success:
If you’re unsure about constructing your bibliography, get in touch with your tutor , who will be able to help.
We hope this handy guide clears up any confusion you have about referencing styles. If you’re looking to level up your learning, our experienced learning advisers are here to help. For more information, browse our complete range of courses or give us a call on 0121 630 3000.
When is citing necessary, citing textual sources, citing images and non-textual sources, citing generative ai, links to style guides and citation resources.
Reasons for citing sources are based on academic, professional, and cultural values. At the GSD, we cite to promote
Cite your source whenever you quote, summarize, paraphrase, or otherwise include someone else's
Citations follow different rules for structure and content depending on which style you use. At the GSD, mostly you will use Chicago or APA style. Often you can choose the style you prefer, but it's good to ask your professor or TA/TF. Whichever style you use, be consistent. We recommend using Zotero , a citation-management tool, to structure your citations for you, but you should always check to make sure the tool captures the correct information in the correct place.
Citing print sources.
Footnote - long (first time citing the source)
1. Joseph Rykwert, The Idea of a Town: The Anthropology of Urban Form in Rome, Italy and the Ancient World , (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1976), 35.
Footnote - short (citing the source again)
1. Rykwert, The Idea of a Town , 35.
In-text citation (alternative to footnotes)
(Rykwert 1976, 35)
Bibliography (alphabetical order and hanging indentation)
Rykwert, Joseph. The Idea of a Town: the Anthropology of Urban Form in Rome, Italy and the Ancient World . New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1976.
1. Diane Favro, “The Street Triumphant: The Urban Impact of Roman Triumphal Parades,” in Streets: Critical Perspectives on Public Space , ed. Zeynep Çelik , Diana Favro, and Richard Ingersoll (Berkeley: University of California Press,1994), 153.
1. Favro, “The Street Triumphant,” 156.
In-text citation (called "author-date," an alternative to footnotes)
(Favro 1994, 153)
Bibliography (alphabetical order and hanging indentation)
Favro, Diane. “The Street Triumphant: The Urban Impact of Roman Triumphal Parades.” In Streets: Critical Perspectives on Public Space, edited by Zeynep Çelik, Diane G. Favro, and Richard Ingersoll, 151-164. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1994.
1. Hendrik Dey, “From ‘Street’ to ‘Piazza’: Urban Politics, Public Ceremony, and the Redefinition of platea in Communal Italy and Beyond” Speculum 91, no.4 (October 2016): 919.
1. Dey, “From ‘Street’ to ‘Piazza,’” 932.
Dey, Hendrik. “From ‘Street’ to ‘Piazza’: Urban Politics, Public Ceremony, and the Redefinition of platea in Communal Italy and Beyond.” Speculum 91, no.4 (October 2016): 919-44.
In-text citation
(Rykwert 1976 p. 35)
Footnote (for supplemental information)
1. From The idea of a town: The anthropology of urban form in Rome, Italy and the ancient world by Joseph Rykwert, 1976, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
Bibliography/Reference (alphabetical order and hanging indentation)
Rykwert, J. (1976). The idea of a town: The anthropology of urban form in Rome, Italy and the ancient world . Princeton University Press.
In-Text Citation
(Favro 1994 p.153)
Footnote (for supplemental information)
1. From the chapter "The street triumphant: The urban impact of Roman triumphal parades" in Streets: Critical perspectives on public space, edited by Zeynep Çelik , Diana Favro, and Richard Ingersoll, 1994, Berkeley: University of California Press.
Favro, D. (1994) “The street triumphant: The Urban Impact of Roman Triumphal Parades.” In Zeynep Çelik, Diane G. Favro, and Richard Ingersoll (Eds.), Streets: Critical Perspectives on Public Space ( pp.151-164). University of California Press.
(Dey 2016 p.919)
Footnote (for supplemental material)
1. From the article “From ‘street’ to ‘Piazza’: Urban politics, public ceremony, and the Redefinition of platea in Communal Italy and Beyond” by Hendrik Dey in Speculum 91(4), 919. www.journals.uchicago.edu/toc/spc/2016/91/4
Dey, H. (2016). From "street" to "piazza": Urban politics, public ceremony, and the redefinition of platea in communal Italy and beyond. Speculum 91 (4), 919-44. www.journals.uchicago.edu/toc/spc/2016/91/4
Visual representations created by other people, including photographs, maps, drawings, models, graphs, tables, and blueprints, must be cited. Citations for visual material may be included at the end of a caption or in a list of figures, similar to but usually separate from the main bibliography.
When they are not merely background design, images are labeled as figures and numbered. In-text references to them refer to the figure number. Sometimes you will have a title after the figure number and a brief descriptive caption below it.
If you choose to include the citation under the caption, format it like a footnote entry. If you would prefer to have a list of figures for citation information, organize them by figure number and use the format of a bibliographic entry.
The construction of citations for artwork and illustrations is more flexible and variable than textual sources. Here we have provided an example with full bibliographic information. Use your best judgment and remember that the goals are to be consistent and to provide enough information to credit your source and for someone else to find your source.
Some borrowed material in collages may also need to be cited, but the rules are vague and hard to find. Check with your professor about course standards.
Visual representations created by other people, including photographs, maps, drawings, models, graphs, tables, and blueprints, must be cited. In APA style, tables are their own category, and all other visual representations are considered figures. Tables and figures both follow the same basic setup.
When they are not merely background design, images are labeled as figures and numbered and titled above the image. If needed to clarify the meaning or significance of the figure, a note may be placed below it. In-text references to visual sources refer to the figure number (ex. As shown in Figure 1...").
Citations for visual material created by other people may either be included under the figure or note or compiled in a list of figures, similar to but usually separate from the main bibliography.
Figures may take up a whole page or be placed at the top or bottom of the page with a blank double-space below or above it.
If you choose to include the citation under the figure, format it like a bibliographic entry. If you would prefer to have a list of figures for citation information, organize them by figure number and use the format of a bibliographic entry. Here is a detailed example. Some figures will require less bibliographic information, but it is a good practice to include as much as you can.
The construction of citations for artwork and illustrations is more flexible and variable than for textual sources. Here we have provided an example with full bibliographic information. Use your best judgment and remember that the goals are to be consistent and to provide enough information to credit your source and for someone else to find your source.
The rules for citing the use of generative AI, both textual and visual, are still evolving. For guidelines on when to cite the use of AI, please refer to the section on Academic Integrity. Here, we will give you suggestions for how to cite based on what the style guides say and what Harvard University encourages. We again recommend that you to ask your instructors about their expectations for use and citation and to remain consistent in your formatting.
The Chicago Manual of Style currently states that "for most types of writing, you can simply acknowledge the AI tool in your text" with a parenthetical comment stating the use of a specific tool. For example: (Image generated by Midjourney).
For academic papers or research articles, you should have a numbered footnote or endnote
Footnote - prompt not included in the text of the paper
1. ChatGPT, response to "Suggest three possible responses from community stakeholders to the proposed multi-use development project," OpenAI, March 28, 2024, https://chat.openai.com/chat.
Footnote - prompt included in the text of the paper
1. Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, March 28, 2024, https://chat.oenai.com/chat
Footnote - edited AI-generated text
1. Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, March 28, 2024, edited for clarity, https://chat.oenai.com/chat
In-text citation (called "author-date," an alternative to footnotes)
(Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI) or (Text generated by ChatGPT, OpenAI, edited for clarity)
Chicago does not encourage including generative AI in a bibliography unless the tool also generates a direct link to the same generated content.
https://www-chicagomanualofstyle-org.ezp-prod1.hul.harvard.edu/qanda/data/faq/topics/Documentation/faq0422.html
The APA style team currently says to "describe how you used the tool in your Methods section or in a comparable section of your paper," perhaps the introduction for literature reviews and response papers. In your paper, state the prompt followed by the resulting generated text. Cite generative AI use according to the rules you would use for citing an algorithm. Include the URL if it leads directly to the same generated material; otherwise, the URL is optional.
(OpenAI, 2024)
Footnote (for supplemental material)
APA does not yet provide a structure or example for a footnote. If you need to mention generative AI in a footnote, stay as consistent with formatting as possible.
OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
These links take you to external resources for further research on citation styles.
Harvard University Digital Accessibility Policy
This page has been archived and is no longer being updated regularly.
Go to 7th edition guidelines
APA Style ® calls for a list of references instead of a bibliography.
The requirements of a reference list are that all references cited in the text of a paper must be listed alphabetically by first author's last name in the list of references and that all references listed must be cited within the text.
A bibliography, however, typically includes resources in addition to those cited in the text and may include annotated descriptions of the items listed.
In general, the list of references is double-spaced and listed alphabetically by first author's last name. For each reference, the first line is typed flush with the left margin, and any additional lines are indented as a group a few spaces to the right of the left margin (this is called a hanging indent ).
For example:
APA Publications and Communications Board Working Group on Journal Article Reporting Standards. (2009). Reporting standards for research in psychology: Why do we need them? What might they be? American Psychologist, 63 , 839–851. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.63.9.839
This essay is about the essential principles and best practices for creating a comprehensive bibliography. It emphasizes the importance of a bibliography in academic writing for ensuring transparency and giving credit to original authors. The essay outlines the need to adhere to specific citation styles, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard, and stresses the significance of meticulous note-taking and organized documentation. It discusses the correct ordering of entries, attention to detail in formatting, and the potential value of annotated bibliographies. Additionally, the essay highlights the usefulness of citation management tools while cautioning against relying solely on them without manual verification. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of a well-constructed bibliography in enhancing the credibility of scholarly work.
How it works
A well-structured bibliography shows off the scope of your research and provides readers with a guide to help them find the original sources. It is a crucial part of writing for academic purposes. A bibliography is a crucial part of scholarly writing that goes beyond simple adherence to guidelines. It ensures that the original authors are given due credit and displays the variety of books you have studied. This essay examines the principles and suggested procedures for gathering a thorough bibliography, highlighting the significance of this kind of work and the laborious process required to achieve precision and consistency.
Priority one should be given to comprehending the function of a bibliography. It is a comprehensive inventory of all the materials—books, journal articles, webpages, and other media—that helped shape your work. By listing these sources, you provide your readers with transparency and enable them to check the facts and delve deeper into the subject. Additionally, by explicitly identifying the sources of your ideas and data, a well-written bibliography helps you avoid plagiarism.
Following the particular citation style specified by your academic institution or publication is one of the most important things to keep in mind while creating a bibliography. Common styles have different formats and guidelines, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard. It is important to familiarize oneself with the rules of the selected style. For example, MLA emphasizes author-page number citations, but APA style usually stresses the author-date format. Applying these rules consistently is essential to preserving the caliber of your work as a professional.
The first step in creating a bibliography is taking thorough notes. It is essential that you take note of every pertinent data from each source while you conduct your research. These specifics typically consist of the name of the author, the work’s title, the publisher, the publication date, and, in the case of journal articles, the volume and issue numbers. Extra details are needed for digital sources, like the URL and the access date. Having well-organized notes will make producing a bibliography easier and less likely to leave out important details.
The arrangement of the things in your bibliography is a crucial factor to take into account. The majority of reference styles mandate that sources be arranged alphabetically by last name of the author. An author’s citations in several books should be listed chronologically in the entries. The pieces are sorted alphabetically by the work’s title if the author is unknown. It is simple for readers to look through the list and locate particular sources thanks to this methodical approach.
A superb bibliography is one that meticulously considers every aspect. This means accurately transcribing material and using the proper format and punctuation. For example, book and journal titles are typically italicized or emphasized, but article titles are surrounded by quote marks. According to the rules, all parts of a citation, such as the author’s name, title, and publishing details, must be punctuated correctly. Careful proofreading is essential since even the smallest errors can undermine the trustworthiness of your work.
It can be helpful to provide an annotation in addition to a list of sources in your bibliography. An annotated bibliography consists of summaries or evaluations of the references. These comments, which describe the accuracy, dependability, and quality of each source, can assist readers understand the context and significance of your references. Even though it requires more time to complete, an annotated bibliography demonstrates a deeper engagement with the material and can enhance the overall impact of your research.
Technology is a useful tool for compiling a bibliography. To assist with organizing and formatting your references, there are a variety of citation management programs available, including Mendeley, EndNote, and Zotero. These applications can organize your sources, create citations automatically in a variety of styles, and work flawlessly with word processing programs. It is not suggested to rely exclusively on these tools, though, as manual verification is still required to guarantee accuracy and adherence to particular formatting guidelines.
In summary, creating an extensive bibliography highlights the scientific rigor of your work and is a laborious but worthwhile procedure. It necessitates paying close attention to specifics, following citation guidelines, and arranging and recording sources in an orderly manner. By devoting the necessary time and energy to producing a precise and organized bibliography, you enhance the authority of your study and add to the body of knowledge within the academic community. Whether you are an experienced researcher or a rookie scholar, learning the craft of producing a bibliography is a crucial ability that will benefit you in both your academic and professional endeavors.
Crafting a Comprehensive Bibliography: Key Principles and Best Practices. (2024, Jun 28). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/crafting-a-comprehensive-bibliography-key-principles-and-best-practices/
"Crafting a Comprehensive Bibliography: Key Principles and Best Practices." PapersOwl.com , 28 Jun 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/crafting-a-comprehensive-bibliography-key-principles-and-best-practices/
PapersOwl.com. (2024). Crafting a Comprehensive Bibliography: Key Principles and Best Practices . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/crafting-a-comprehensive-bibliography-key-principles-and-best-practices/ [Accessed: 3 Jul. 2024]
"Crafting a Comprehensive Bibliography: Key Principles and Best Practices." PapersOwl.com, Jun 28, 2024. Accessed July 3, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/crafting-a-comprehensive-bibliography-key-principles-and-best-practices/
"Crafting a Comprehensive Bibliography: Key Principles and Best Practices," PapersOwl.com , 28-Jun-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/crafting-a-comprehensive-bibliography-key-principles-and-best-practices/. [Accessed: 3-Jul-2024]
PapersOwl.com. (2024). Crafting a Comprehensive Bibliography: Key Principles and Best Practices . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/crafting-a-comprehensive-bibliography-key-principles-and-best-practices/ [Accessed: 3-Jul-2024]
Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.
Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!
Please check your inbox.
You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.
Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide
1. Tell Us Your Requirements
2. Pick your perfect writer
3. Get Your Paper and Pay
Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!
Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.
short deadlines
100% Plagiarism-Free
Certified writers
'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .
One of the biggest complaints about ChatGPT is that it provides information that is difficult to check for accuracy. Those complaints exist because ChatGPT doesn't provide the sources, footnotes, or links from which it derived the information in its answers.
While that is true for the GPT-3.5 model, GPT-4 and GPT-4o provide more citation resources. While GPT-4 is only for paid subscribers, GPT-4o is available to both free and paid subscribers, although free users get fewer citations and less detail than users with a ChatGPT Plus subscription .
Also: 4 things Claude AI can do that ChatGPT can't
Here's how ChatGPT describes the approach: "GPT-4o in free mode provides basic and essential citations, focusing on quick and concise references to ensure information is traceable. In contrast, GPT-4o in paid mode offers enhanced, detailed, and frequent citations, including multiple sources and contextual annotations to provide comprehensive verification and understanding of the information. This ensures a robust and reliable experience, especially beneficial for users requiring in-depth information and thorough source verification."
Even with the provided citations in GPT-4o, there are ways to improve your results.
To start, you need to ask ChatGPT something that needs sources or citations. I've found it's better to ask a question with a longer answer, so there's more "meat" for ChatGPT to chew on.
Also: The best AI chatbots: ChatGPT and other interesting alternatives to try
Keep in mind that ChatGPT can't provide any information after January 2022 for GPT-3.5, April 2023 for GPT-4, and October 2023 for GPT-4o, and requests for information pre-internet (say, for a paper on Ronald Reagan's presidency) will have far fewer available sources.
Here's an example of a prompt I wrote on a topic that I worked on a lot when I was in grad school:
Describe the learning theories of cognitivism, behaviorism, and constructivism
This is where a bit of prompt engineering comes in. A good starting point is with this query:
Please provide sources for the previous answer
I've found that this prompt often provides offline sources, books, papers, etc. The problem with offline sources is you can't check their veracity. Still, it's a starting point. A better query is this:
Please provide URL sources
This prompt specifically tells ChatGPT that you want clickable links to sources. You can also tweak this prompt by asking for a specific quantity of sources, although your mileage might vary in terms of how many you get back:
Please provide 10 URL sources
Most large language models respond well to detail and specificity . So if you're asking for sources, you can push for higher-quality sources. You'll need to specify that you need reliable and accurate sources. While this approach won't necessarily work, it may remind the AI chatbot to give you more useful responses. For example:
Please provide me with reputable sources to support my argument on... (whatever the topic is you're looking at)
You can also tell ChatGPT the kinds of sources you want. If you're looking for scholarly articles, peer-reviewed journals, books, or authoritative websites, mention these preferences explicitly. For example:
Please recommend peer-reviewed journals that discuss... (and here, repeat what you discussed earlier in your conversation)
When dealing with abstract concepts or theories, request that ChatGPT provide a conceptual framework and real-world examples. Here's an example:
Can you describe the principles of Vygotsky's Social Development Theory and provide real-world examples where these principles were applied, including sources for these examples?
This approach gives you a theoretical explanation and practical instances to trace the original sources or case studies.
Also: Two ways you can build custom AI assistants with GPT-4o
Another idea is to use sources that don't have link rot (that is, they're no longer online at the URL that ChatGPT might know). Be careful with this idea, though, because ChatGPT doesn't know about things after January 2022 for GPT-3.5, April 2023 for GPT-4, and October 2023 for GPT-4o. So, while you might be tempted to use a prompt like this:
Please provide me with sources published within the past five years.
Instead, consider using a prompt like this:
Please provide sources published from 2019 through April 2023.
And, as always, don't assume that whatever output ChatGPT gives you is accurate. It's still quite possible the AI will completely fabricate answers, even to the point of making up the names of what seem like academic journals. It's a sometimes helpful tool, but it's also a fibber .
Keep this golden rule in mind about ChatGPT-provided sources: ChatGPT is more often wrong than right .
Across the many times I've asked ChatGPT for URL sources, roughly half were just plain bad links. Another 25% or more of the links went to topics completely or somewhat unrelated to the one I was trying to source. GPT-4 and GPT-4o are slightly more reliable, but not by much.
Also: How to use ChatGPT: Everything you need to know
For example, I asked for sources on a backgrounder for the phrase "trust but verify," generally popularized by US President Ronald Reagan. I got a lot of sources back, but most didn't exist. I got some back that correctly took me to active pages on the Reagan Presidential Library site, but the page topic had nothing to do with the phrase.
I had better luck with my learning theory question from step 1. There, I got back offline texts from people I knew from my studies who had worked on those theories. I also got back URLs. Once again, only about two in 10 worked or were accurate.
Also: What does GPT stand for? Understanding GPT-3.5, GPT-4, GPT-4o, and more
Don't despair. The idea isn't to expect ChatGPT to provide sources that you can immediately use. If you instead think of ChatGPT as a research assistant, it will give you some great starting places. Use the names of the articles (which may be completely fake or just not accessible) and drop them into Google. That process will give you some interesting search queries that probably lead to interesting material that can legitimately go into your research.
Also, keep in mind that you're not limited to using ChatGPT. Don't forget all the tools available to researchers and students. Do your own web searches. Check with primary sources and subject-matter experts if they're available. If you're in school, you can even ask your friendly neighborhood librarian for help.
Also: How to use ChatGPT to create an app
Don't forget that there are many excellent traditional sources. For example, Google Scholar and JSTOR provide access to a wide range of academically acceptable resources you can cite with reasonable confidence.
One final point: if you merely cut and paste ChatGPT sources into your research, you're likely to get stung. Use the AI for clues, not as a way to avoid the real work of research.
APA style is a citation style that's often required in academic programs. APA stands for American Psychological Association. I've often thought they invented these style rules to get more customers. The definitive starting point for APA style is the Purdue OWL , which provides a wide range of style guidelines.
Also: GPT-3.5 vs GPT-4: Is ChatGPT Plus worth its subscription fee?
Be careful: online style formatters might not do a complete job, and you may get your work returned by your professor. It pays to do the work yourself -- and be careful doing it.
This is a good question. I have found that sometimes -- sometimes -- if you ask ChatGPT to give you more sources or re-ask for sources, it will give you new listings. If you tell ChatGPT the sources it provided were erroneous, it will sometimes give you better ones. The bot may also apologize and give excuses. Another approach is to re-ask your original question with a different focus or direction, and then ask for sources for the new answer.
Also: How to access, install, and use AI ChatGPT-4 plugins
Once again, my best advice is to avoid treating ChatGPT as a tool that writes for you and more as a writing assistant. Asking for sources to cut and paste a ChatGPT response is pretty much plagiarism. That said, using ChatGPT's responses, and any sources you can tease out, as clues for further research and writing is a legitimate way to use this tool.
For some links, it's just link rot. Some links may have changed, since many sources are more than three years old. Other sources are of indeterminate age. Since we don't have a full listing of ChatGPT's sources, it's impossible to tell how valid they are or were.
Also: How does ChatGPT actually work?
Since ChatGPT was trained mostly without human supervision , we know that most of its sources weren't vetted and could be wrong, made up, or completely non-existent.
Trust, but verify.
You can follow my day-to-day project updates on social media. Be sure to subscribe to my weekly update newsletter , and follow me on Twitter/X at @DavidGewirtz , on Facebook at Facebook.com/DavidGewirtz , on Instagram at Instagram.com/DavidGewirtz , and on YouTube at YouTube.com/DavidGewirtzTV .
Delete yourself from the internet with the best online data removal services, if you want a career in ai, start with these 5 steps, want to save your old computer try these 5 linux distributions.
An official website of the United States government
The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.
The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.
Email citation, add to collections.
Your saved search, create a file for external citation management software, your rss feed.
Affiliations.
Objective: The 48-week, phase 2 SLEek study ( NCT03978520 ) evaluated the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib (Janus kinase inhibitor) and elsubrutinib (Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor) alone or in combination (ABBV-599) in adults with moderately to severely active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Methods: Patients were randomized 1:1:1:1:1 to once-daily (QD) ABBV-599 high dose (HD; elsubrutinib 60mg + upadacitinib 30mg), ABBV-599 low dose (LD; elsubrutinib 60mg + upadacitinib 15mg), elsubrutinib 60mg, upadacitinib 30mg, or placebo. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving both SLE Responder Index-4 (SRI-4) and glucocorticoid dose ≤10mg QD at week 24. Additional assessments through week 48 included British Isles Lupus Assessment Group-based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) and Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) responses, number of flares, time to first flare, and adverse events.
Results: The study enrolled 341 patients. The ABBV-599LD and elsubrutinib arms were discontinued after a planned interim analysis showed lack of efficacy (no safety concerns). More patients achieved the primary endpoint with upadacitinib (54.8%; P=0.028) and ABBV-599HD (48.5%; P=0.081) versus placebo (37.3%). SRI-4, BICLA, and LLDAS response rates were higher for both upadacitinib and ABBV-599HD versus placebo at weeks 24 and 48. Flares were reduced and time to first flare through week 48 was substantially delayed with both upadacitinib and ABBV-599HD versus placebo. No new safety signals were observed beyond those previously reported for upadacitinib or elsubrutinib.
Conclusions: Upadacitinib 30mg alone or in combination with elsubrutinib (ABBV-599HD) demonstrated significant improvements in SLE disease activity, reduced flares and were well tolerated through 48 weeks.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PubMed Disclaimer
Linkout - more resources, full text sources, research materials.
NCBI Literature Resources
MeSH PMC Bookshelf Disclaimer
The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited.
6 steps to create your winning college list.
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 29: People walk on the campus of the University of North Carolina ... [+] Chapel Hill on June 29, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race-conscious admission policies used by Harvard and the University of North Carolina violate the Constitution, bringing an end to affirmative action in higher education. (Photo by Eros Hoagland/Getty Images)
Navigating the college admissions landscape in 2024 demands a comprehensive understanding of current trends while ensuring that each student's unique values and needs are aligned with their chosen institutions. Here are practical steps to guide you in creating a winning college list that aligns with your values and goals.
Start by identifying what's important to you in a college experience. Consider factors like location, size, academic programs, extracurricular opportunities, and campus culture. Understanding your preferences will help you narrow down your options.
Below is a list of needs your future college could meet for you. Beside each item, rank it on a scale of 1 to 4.
Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024.
This list is by no means comprehensive. You may have a completely different set of priorities than the ones featured here. The point is this: The sooner you get real about what your needs are, the sooner you can cross schools from your list that don’t meet them. You’re the one going to college; you’re the boss of your experience.
Dig into the culture and values of each college you're considering. Start by visiting the university's website and reading their mission and vision statements. This can provide insight into what the institution values and strives to achieve.
For example, Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business emphasizes critical thinking and leadership. The school’s mission statement reads: "To create value for business and society by providing intellectual leadership, advancing the science and practice of management, and developing ethical leaders to be the agents of change in a world driven by technology and innovation.” Its motto, "My heart is in the work," suggests a deep commitment to integrating passion with profession. Does this resonate with your values and how you see your future?
To further understand a college's culture, go straight to the source: the student newspaper. Student newspapers offer candid student perspectives. For instance, a student at Stanford University might describe the entrepreneurial spirit on campus, while a student at Swarthmore College might highlight the collaborative and socially conscious atmosphere.
Many people often express frustration with the perceived opacity of the college admissions process, and their concerns are not unfounded. However, if you want insight into the types of students likely to be admitted in the upcoming year, it’s essential to examine the college's strategic goals for the next few years. This information is usually available in their strategic plan, which can be found on their website. Look for documents that detail the institution's goals and the strategies they plan to implement to achieve them.
For instance, Stanford University’s strategic plan emphasizes sustainability and interdisciplinary research. If you are passionate about environmental science, Stanford’s focus on sustainability might align well with your interests. Conversely, the University of Chicago may highlight its commitment to rigorous intellectual inquiry and civic engagement, which appeals to students who value deep academic exploration and community involvement.
By understanding a school's strategic goals, you can determine whether the institution’s direction aligns with your academic and personal aspirations. For example, if Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business prioritizes fostering innovation and using data for social good, and you have experience in launching nonprofits or working with big data, you can highlight this alignment in your application. This approach not only enhances your application but also ensures that you choose a school where you can thrive and contribute meaningfully.
When deciding on a major , it's crucial to investigate the academic programs and structures at each college. Understand the scheduling systems, core curriculum requirements, and research opportunities within your intended major.
For example, Brown University offers an open curriculum, allowing students the flexibility to design their own educational paths without mandatory general education requirements. This approach might appeal to applicants eager to explore diverse academic fields. On the other hand, Columbia University’s Core Curriculum ensures all students, regardless of major, receive a broad-based education in the liberal arts, appealing to those who value a structured and comprehensive academic foundation.
Check specific departmental websites for detailed information about faculty, ongoing research projects, and student involvement in research. These resources will give you a clearer picture of the academic environment and opportunities available in your chosen field, helping you make an informed decision about which college will best support your academic and career aspirations.
This might sound counterintuitive but hear me out. If you want to know which students a college will likely admit in the next few years, look at where the college is investing its resources. Recent donations and funding priorities can provide clear indicators of the school's current and future focuses.
For example, if you're interested in studying music business (full disclosure: I was a music business major), Belmont University should be on your radar. In April 2024, the school received a $58 million donation from a music executive to expand its programs. Such significant funding can lead to better facilities, more research opportunities, and potentially more seats and scholarships for students in those programs.
To research your favorite colleges, use resources like The Chronicle of Philanthropy to see where significant donations have been made. If your intended program has recently received a large donation, it could mean enhanced resources and opportunities for you. Conversely, if a college you’re considering is directing funds into programs or initiatives that don’t align with your interests, it might be worth reconsidering your choice.
Understanding where a college allocates its financial resources can help you to ensure alignment between your academic and career goals with the institution's strengths and priorities.
It’s not only what you know; it’s who you know. A strategic step in creating a college list is to establish relationships with alumni, current students, professors, and administrators. Networking with individuals who are currently attending or have previously attended the colleges you’re interested in will give you a personalized and in-depth view of each institution.
Alumni networks, campus visits, and informational interviews can provide invaluable insights. Reach out to alumni through LinkedIn or your high school's alumni network. Attend college fairs and visit campuses if possible. During your visit, engage with current students and faculty to get a sense of the campus atmosphere and academic environment. Remember to send thank-you notes and follow-up messages after every interaction.
When building your college list, remember that it's not about finding the best college—it's about finding the best college for you. You are not just choosing a college; you are shaping your future. Make sure it’s a future that aligns with who you are and who you want to become.
When you apply to college, share your talents with the institutions that will appreciate them. You’ll know which ones they are once you follow this guide to success.
An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Authors: | Linda DePaul |
Year: | 2002 |
Type: | Proceedings |
Station: | Rocky Mountain Research Station |
Source: | In: Dumroese, R. K.; Riley, L. E.; Landis, T. D., technical coordinators. National proceedings: forest and conservation nursery associations-1999, 2000, and 2001. Proceedings RMRS-P-24. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 122-124 |
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
A bibliography entry for a book begins with the author's name, which is written in this order: last name, comma, first name, period. After the author's name comes the title of the book. If you are handwriting your bibliography, underline each title. If you are working on a computer, put the book title in italicized type.
Follow these steps to write the perfect APA bibliography. Step One: Gather your sources together in a preliminary bibliography. Step Two: Format each citation entry by following these rules: List authors by last name, first name initial, and middle name initial (e.g., Doe, J. J.). Do not spell out first or middle name (s).
To create a bibliography, gather up all of the sources that you might use in your paper. Create an APA format reference for each source and then write a brief annotation. Your annotation should be a brief summary of what each reference is about. You can quickly refer to these annotations When writing your paper and determine which to include.
Type the last name of the first author listed on the source followed by a comma, then the first author's first name followed by a comma. Then type the word "and" then list the second author's first name and last name in the standard order. Follow the second name with a period.
Place the page right after the main body and before any appendices. On the first line of the page, write the section label "References" (in bold and centered). On the second line, start listing your references in alphabetical order. Apply these formatting guidelines to the APA reference page:
Title your bibliography section "References" and center the title on the top line of the page. Do not center your references; they should be left-aligned. For longer items, subsequent lines should use a hanging indent of 1/2 inch. Include all types of resources in the same list.
An annotated bibliography should include a reference list of any sources you use in writing a research paper. Any printed sources from which you use a text citation, including books, websites, newspaper articles, journal articles, academic writing, online sources (such as PDFs), and magazines should be included in a reference list.
Formatting a Harvard style bibliography. Sources are alphabetised by author last name. The heading 'Reference list' or 'Bibliography' appears at the top. Each new source appears on a new line, and when an entry for a single source extends onto a second line, a hanging indent is used: Harvard bibliography example.
How to Write a Bibliography. Make a list to keep track of ALL the books, magazines, and websites you read as you follow your background research plan. Later this list of sources will become your bibliography. Most teachers want you to have at least three written sources of information. Write down, photocopy, or print the following information ...
Scribbr offers citation generators for both APA and MLA style. Both are quick, easy to use, and 100% free, with no ads and no registration required. Just input a URL or DOI or add the source details manually, and the generator will automatically produce an in-text citation and reference entry in the correct format.
6. Cite books. Include the author's last name and first name, separated by a comma and ending with a period. Then the book title comes in italics with a period at the end of the title. The place of publication and the name of the publishing company are separated by a colon, and then a comma and the publication date.
The common formats for writing a bibliography in a research paper are MLA and APA style. A bibliography is known as "Works Cited" in MLA and on the other hand, it is called "References List" in APA. Though both formats contain similar information about the sources used, there are still slight differences in formatting style.
The way that you create your bibliography will depend on the specific style that you are using. There are several different styles available. MLA: This style is designed for creating liberal arts or humanities essays. APA: Use this style for creating in the education or science fields. Chicago:
The sources you used to research your paper are all gathered together in a "Bibliography" which is attached to the end of the paper. Create the bibliography as you gather your sources, to help you keep track of where you found your information!This will also help you with your footnotes as you create outlines and drafts of your paper.
Step 3: Create Your Entries. If you created a preliminary bibliography, then you need to alphabetize your entries. The entries will be alphabetized by the author's last name, corporation, or title of the work. All styles will require a ½ inch hanging indent after the first line of the bibliographical citation.
The list is known as a bibliography and is placed at the end of a research paper or writing project. This article features a comprehensive guide to writing a bibliography, complete with all the information one must include in it as well as formats and examples based on the style guide being followed. Information Included in a Bibliography
A special kind of bibliography, the annotated bibliography, is often used to direct your readers to other books and resources on your topic. An instructor may ask you to prepare an annotated bibliography to help you narrow down a topic for your research assignment. Such bibliographies offer a few lines of information, typically 150-300 words ...
Citation Generator: Automatically generate accurate references and in-text citations using Scribbr's APA Citation Generator, MLA Citation Generator, Harvard Referencing Generator, and Chicago Citation Generator. Plagiarism Checker: Detect plagiarism in your paper using the most accurate Turnitin-powered plagiarism software available to students.
Step 1. Develop an initial reference page. While accumulating data for research papers, establishing an initial bibliography can be advantageous. It simplifies the final stages of your work and aids in the organization of your ideas. When composing an initial draft, ensure to compile details: Author (s) and editor (s);
Cite anything. ZoteroBib helps you build a bibliography instantly from any computer or device, without creating an account or installing any software. It's brought to you by the team behind Zotero, the powerful open-source research tool recommended by thousands of universities worldwide, so you can trust it to help you seamlessly add sources ...
APA/Harvard reference order. If using Harvard referencing, title your bibliography as 'References'. Author's last name. Author's first initial. The publication date (in brackets). The book title. The publication place. The name of the book publisher.
Chicago Style Citing Print Sources . Book . Footnote - long (first time citing the source). 1. Joseph Rykwert, The Idea of a Town: The Anthropology of Urban Form in Rome, Italy and the Ancient World, (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1976), 35. Footnote - short (citing the source again). 1. Rykwert, The Idea of a Town, 35. In-text citation (alternative to footnotes)
In general, the list of references is double-spaced and listed alphabetically by first author's last name. For each reference, the first line is typed flush with the left margin, and any additional lines are indented as a group a few spaces to the right of the left margin (this is called a hanging indent ). For example:
A well-structured bibliography shows off the scope of your research and provides readers with a guide to help them find the original sources. It is a crucial part of writing for academic purposes. A bibliography is a crucial part of scholarly writing that goes beyond simple adherence to guidelines.
Also: 4 things Claude AI can do that ChatGPT can't Here's how ChatGPT describes the approach: "GPT-4o in free mode provides basic and essential citations, focusing on quick and concise references ...
Affiliations 1 Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.; 2 The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan.; 3 School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.; 4 Louise Coote Lupus Unit, Department of Rheumatology, Guy's Hospital ...
Step 2: Research College Cultures And Values. Dig into the culture and values of each college you're considering. Start by visiting the university's website and reading their mission and vision ...
Citation DePaul, Linda. 2002. Tree planting incentive programs: How you can make these programs work for you. ... Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 122-124 Return to top. Treesearch Research Data Archive Forest Inventory & Analysis Research Topics News About Us. Footer menu. USDA.gov ...