Many people find referencing sources one of the most challenging aspects of academic writing. It can certainly be complicated sometimes, especially with the variety of referencing systems available.
Mostly you’ll find this confusion disappears with experience, so try not to worry too much if you’re struggling with your references (having your work proofread can be a good solution). In this post though, we’ve come up with a few things you might not have encountered in the peculiar world of referencing.
1. Bibliographies vs. Reference Lists
These terms are often used interchangeably but there is a difference. A reference list is a list of referenced sources: i.e., a complete list of every source cited in your work. A bibliography, by contrast, is a list of everything you’ve read during the research process. This might include texts not cited in your work.
Usually your lecturer/university style guide will specify which of these to use. If you’re writing a reference list and want to include additional texts, however, you could always add an ‘Additional Reading’ section too.
2. Species Citation
Scientific publications use special systems to cite botanical and zoological names. In zoology this involves including the name of the person/group who first published the scientific name and a date for this first publication. In botany the convention is similar but with no need for a date.
3. Legal Citation
Another field which has its own referencing conventions is jurisprudence, especially when citing court cases, statutes, regulations and government documents. A case citation is a reference to a particular court decision. These differ depending on jurisdiction, but typically include the following key details:
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- Report title
- Volume number
- Page number
- Year of decision
4. Punctuation Differences
Different citation systems vary in terms of how you should punctuate your references. For example, an in-text citation for the same source could be presented differently depending on the system you are using:
Harvard: Dancing in the moonlight is such ‘a fine and natural sight’ (Kelly, 1968, p. 16).
MLA: Dancing in the moonlight is such ‘a fine and natural sight’ (Kelly 16).
It’s also worth remembering that some disagree on whether superscript numbers (as used by note/bibliography referencing systems) should be included inside or outside punctuation. As such you should always check your university’s style guide before setting to work.
5. Reference Management Software
Reference management software is a term for computer programs, such as Endnote and Mendeley, which can be used for generating bibliographies/reference lists. These are a good way of saving time and ensuring consistency when working on a thesis or dissertation, but you’ll still need to check everything for accuracy once you’re done.