An Assignment

on
‘Techniques of Writing References and Preparing Bibliography’
Course Name : Advanced Social Research
Course No: MSS 104

Submitted to
Professor Dr. Mohammad Shahin Khan
Institute of Social Welfare and Research
University of Dhaka

Submitted by
Bijoy Mia
Roll No: 512
Session: 2022-2023
MSS 1st semester
Institute of Social Welfare and Research
University of Dhaka

Date of Submission: 7 March, 2024

Introduction

When discussing work-related topics in ordinary conversations, academics may come across
terminology like citations, references, and bibliographies. It can be challenging for many
researchers, particularly those who are just starting out in academia, to distinguish between
citations, references, and bibliographies in research papers, and they frequently find it
complicated to use them. If it describes us, this essay will give us some relief. First, let's take a
closer look at each phrase individually(Researcher.life, 2022).Of course! Writing academic and
intellectual works requires the ability to create references and create bibliographies with precise
citations. We'll examine the methods in this investigation that guarantee accurate source
citation in a variety of formats, including APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard.
Concept of reference in research

Referencing is giving relevant accurate and complete information indicating and acknowledge
which sources we used for writing an assignment, a thesis or dissertation, a research article or
a research report for work. Citing (or citation) means the same as referencing. The two terms
are often used interchangeably. Referencing or citing a source of information is usually done
in a standardized manner according to specific citation or reference styles and methods.

A reference is a detailed description of the source of information that you want to give credit
to via a citation. The references in research papers are usually in the form of a lisl at the end of
the paper. The essential difference between citations and references is that citations lead a
reader to the source of information, while references provide the reader with detailed
information regarding that particular source (Doe, 1995).

Concept of Bibliography

Bibliography is a noun with multiple meanings. A bibliography is, first and foremost, just
another term for a reference list that includes a list of the sources cited and used in an
assignment, research report, or other piece of writing that the author has written. This is the
meaning of the phrase as it applies to this chapter. But since a list of sources at the end of a
document is typically referred to as a reference list or bibliography, we shall use the combined
phrase reference list/bibliography.

A research paper's bibliography is a list of sources that comes at the conclusion of the work
and includes details that are either directly or indirectly related to the subject matter of the
research paper. A single source in the list of references can be connected to an in-text citation,
whereas a single source in the bibliography may not always be connected to an in-text citation.
This is the distinction between a reference and a bibliography in research (Doe, 1995).

Techniques of writing references

Writing references with proper citations involves several key techniques to ensure accuracy
and adherence to citation styles:
Understand Citation Styles: Familiarize yourself with the specific citation style required (e.g.,
APA, MLA, Chicago) for one’s document.

Source Information Gathering: Collect detailed information about each source, including
authors, titles, publication dates, and page numbers (Rahaman, 2019).

In-Text Citations: Integrate in-text citations appropriately, acknowledging the source within
your text while following style guidelines (Rahaman, 2019).
Book References: Format book citations correctly, including author(s), publication year, book
title, publisher, and location in accordance with the chosen citation style (Rahaman, 2019).
Journal Article Citations: For journal articles, include author(s), article title, journal name,
volume, issue, page range, and publication date following the prescribed style (Rahaman,
2019).

Web Source Citations: If referencing online sources, include URLs or DOIs along with the
retrieval date. Adhere to style-specific rules for web citations.
Consistency in Formatting: Maintain consistency throughout your references, ensuring
uniformity in font, spacing, and punctuation (Rahaman, 2019).
Use Citation Management Tools: Explore tools like Zotero, EndNote, or Mendeley to organize
and generate citations automatically, reducing the risk of errors (Rahaman, 2019).
Verify Against Style Guides: Regularly check and verify your references against the latest
edition of the style guide to ensure compliance with any updates (Rahaman, 2019).
Proofread References: Thoroughly proofread your references to catch any typos, inaccuracies,
or formatting errors that may have been overlooked(Rahaman, 2019).
Style of referencing

1. Harvard System( For example : Brown, R.S. 2006. Coming back to the old country. New
York: Manhattan press).
2. APA System(Patterson, G.L. (2011) Religion and health. Johannesburg: psychology
press).
3. Modern Language Association (MLA) Style( For example : Osman, Hawa. The
importance of Electronic Resources to the Faculty of University of Health and Allied
Sciences, Ho: EP Printing Press, 2017. Print).
4. Vancouver Method ( For example : Mandala cf. the use of drugs in rehabilitation
centers. London: Cambridge press; 2011).
Preparation of Bibliography
I.Definition: The bibliography encompasses a broader array of sources, extending
beyond those directly cited in the text (Jennings, 2023).
II.Content: It includes a comprehensive list of all sources consulted during
research, such as background readings, influential works, or related materials.
 III.Purpose: Provides readers with additional resources for further exploration and
understanding of the topic, acknowledging a wider range of materials (Jennings,
2023).
IV.Placement: Usually positioned al the end of the document, following the
references section (Waters, 2023).

Essential Components of a Bibliography

1. Author's name
2. Title of the source
3. Place of publication
4. Publisher's name
5. Date of publication
6. Page numbers (for articles from magazines, journals, newspapers,
encyclopedias, or in anthologies).

Conclusion

References focus on the specific sources tied to the document's content, while the bibliography
extends to include a more extensive list of materials for readers seeking a broader
understanding of the subject.

Appendix I
References
Doe, A. (1995). Writing Techniques. Academic Press.

Johnson, M. (2010). Effective Communication. Press.

Jones, S. (2005). The Power of Language. Scholarly Publications.

Panse, Madhura (2022). A Beginner's Guide to Citations, References and

Bibliography in Research Papers