Writing references correctly is very important for your thesis. References show where you got your information and help others find those sources. They also give credit to the original authors, which is essential in academic writing. Here is a simple guide to help you write references effectively.
Different subjects use different citation styles. Each style has its own rules for formatting references. Some common styles include:
APA (American Psychological Association): Often used in social sciences like psychology and sociology.
MLA (Modern Language Association): Common in humanities, especially in literature and cultural studies.
Chicago/Turabian: Used in history and some other fields, offering two systems: notes and bibliography or author-date.
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers): Common in engineering and technology fields.
Tip: Always check your school’s guidelines or ask your advisor to determine which style you should use for your thesis.
For each source you plan to reference, collect the necessary information. Here’s what you typically need:
Books: Author(s), title, publisher, and year of publication.
Journal Articles: Author(s), title of the article, journal name, volume, issue number, page range, and year of publication.
Websites: Author(s) or organization, title of the webpage, website name, publication date, and URL (web address).
Tip: Keep detailed notes on your sources while you research. This will make it easier to compile your references later and ensure accuracy.
Citation Style | Type | Format |
APA | Book | Author, A. A. (Year). Title of work. Publisher. |
Journal Article | Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), page range. https://doi.org/xx.xxx/yyyy | |
MLA | Book | Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year. |
Journal Article | Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages. | |
Chicago | Book | Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. City: Publisher, Year. |
Journal Article | Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title of Journal volume number (Year): page range. | |
IEEE | Book | [1] Author, Title of Book, xth ed. City, Country: Publisher, year. |
Journal Article | [2] Author, "Title of Paper," Abbrev. Journal Name, vol. x, no. x, pp. xxx-xxx, Month, year. |
At the end of your thesis, create a reference list or bibliography. This list should be organized in alphabetical order by the last name of the first author.
Tip: Use hanging indentation, where the first line of each reference is flush left and the following lines are indented. This makes your reference list easier to read.
Before you submit your thesis, double-check your references to ensure everything is correct. Look for spelling mistakes, punctuation errors, and formatting issues.
Tip: Compare your references with the official style guide for your chosen citation style to ensure they are formatted correctly.
Writing references in your thesis can be simpler if you follow these steps. By understanding your citation style, gathering the right information, formatting correctly, and using helpful tools, you can create a complete and accurate reference list. This will strengthen your thesis and demonstrate that you have conducted thorough research.
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