Bibliography

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Created by: Team English - Examples.com, Last Updated: June 14, 2024

Bibliography

Writing a research paper or a thesis, you may encounter some references or some links below or at the very end of the page. We call these annotated bibliographies, or just bibliographies. 

What Is a Bibliography?

A bibliography is a list of information that is usually found below the pages or at the end of the pages of a book, a research paper, a thesis paper, or even a report. The bibliography as the term itself is another word for listing your sources.

Bibliography Formats

Creating a bibliography is essential for any academic work to credit sources used. The format varies based on the citation style. Below are examples for the most common styles: APA, MLA, and Chicago.

1. APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Books: Author(s). (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.

Example: Smith, J. (2020). Understanding English Literature. Penguin Books.

Articles: Author(s). (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, Volume(Issue), Page numbers. DOI

Example: Doe, J. (2019). The impact of modern technology on literature. Literary Review, 34(2), 145-158. https://doi.org/10.1234/lr.2019.02.015

2. MLA (Modern Language Association) Style

Books: Author(s). Title of the book. Publisher, Year.

Example: Smith, John. Understanding English Literature. Penguin Books, 2020.

Articles: Author(s). “Title of the article.” Title of the Journal, vol. Volume, no. Issue, Year, pp. Page numbers.

Example: Doe, Jane. “The Impact of Modern Technology on Literature.” Literary Review, vol. 34, no. 2, 2019, pp. 145-158.

3. Chicago Style

Books: Author(s). Title of the book. Place of publication: Publisher, Year.

Example: Smith, John. Understanding English Literature. New York: Penguin Books, 2020.

Articles: Author(s). “Title of the article.” Title of the Journal Volume, no. Issue (Year): Page numbers. DOI

Example: Doe, Jane. “The Impact of Modern Technology on Literature.” Literary Review 34, no. 2 (2019): 145-158. https://doi.org/10.1234/lr.2019.02.015

Examples of Bibliography for Students

APA Style

  1. Book:
    • Doe, J. (2021). Understanding Climate Change. Environmental Press.
  2. Journal Article:
    • Smith, L. M. (2020). The impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Journal of Youth Studies, 35(2), 145-160.
  3. Website:
  4. Chapter in an Edited Book:
    • Brown, A. (2018). Renewable energy sources. In T. Green (Ed.), Advances in Environmental Science (pp. 50-75). Nature Publishing.
  5. Conference Paper:
    • White, P. (2017). AI advancements in healthcare. In S. Lewis (Ed.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Health Informatics (pp. 102-110). HealthTech.

MLA Style

  1. Book:
    • Doe, Jane. Understanding Climate Change. Environmental Press, 2021.
  2. Journal Article:
    • Smith, Lisa M. “The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health.” Journal of Youth Studies, vol. 35, no. 2, 2020, pp. 145-160.
  3. Website:
  4. Chapter in an Edited Book:
    • Brown, Alice. “Renewable Energy Sources.” Advances in Environmental Science, edited by Thomas Green, Nature Publishing, 2018, pp. 50-75.
  5. Conference Paper:
    • White, Peter. “AI Advancements in Healthcare.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Health Informatics, edited by Sarah Lewis, HealthTech, 2017, pp. 102-110.

Chicago Style

  1. Book:
    • Doe, Jane. Understanding Climate Change. Environmental Press, 2021.
  2. Journal Article:
    • Smith, Lisa M. “The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health.” Journal of Youth Studies 35, no. 2 (2020): 145-160.
  3. Website:
  4. Chapter in an Edited Book:
    • Brown, Alice. “Renewable Energy Sources.” In Advances in Environmental Science, edited by Thomas Green, 50-75. Nature Publishing, 2018.
  5. Conference Paper:
    • White, Peter. “AI Advancements in Healthcare.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Health Informatics, edited by Sarah Lewis, 102-110. HealthTech, 2017.

Examples of Bibliography in Research

APA Style

  1. Book:
    • Watson, G. H. (2022). Modern Geopolitics: Analyzing Global Trends. Global Press.
  2. Journal Article:
    • Thompson, R. A., & Williams, D. J. (2021). The role of artificial intelligence in modern warfare. Defense Studies Journal, 28(4), 200-215.
  3. Website:
  4. Chapter in an Edited Book:
    • Cooper, L. (2019). Sustainable agriculture practices. In H. Brown (Ed.), Innovations in Agricultural Science (pp. 85-102). GreenField Publishers.
  5. Conference Paper:
    • Jackson, E. (2018). Ethical implications of genetic engineering. In A. Patel (Ed.), Proceedings of the Bioethics Symposium (pp. 55-63). Bioethics Association.

MLA Style

  1. Book:
    • Watson, George H. Modern Geopolitics: Analyzing Global Trends. Global Press, 2022.
  2. Journal Article:
    • Thompson, Rachel A., and David J. Williams. “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Warfare.” Defense Studies Journal, vol. 28, no. 4, 2021, pp. 200-215.
  3. Website:
  4. Chapter in an Edited Book:
    • Cooper, Lisa. “Sustainable Agriculture Practices.” Innovations in Agricultural Science, edited by Harold Brown, GreenField Publishers, 2019, pp. 85-102.
  5. Conference Paper:
    • Jackson, Emily. “Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering.” Proceedings of the Bioethics Symposium, edited by Amit Patel, Bioethics Association, 2018, pp. 55-63.

Chicago Style

  1. Book:
    • Watson, George H. Modern Geopolitics: Analyzing Global Trends. Global Press, 2022.
  2. Journal Article:
    • Thompson, Rachel A., and David J. Williams. “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Warfare.” Defense Studies Journal 28, no. 4 (2021): 200-215.
  3. Website:
  4. Chapter in an Edited Book:
    • Cooper, Lisa. “Sustainable Agriculture Practices.” In Innovations in Agricultural Science, edited by Harold Brown, 85-102. GreenField Publishers, 2019.
  5. Conference Paper:
    • Jackson, Emily. “Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering.” In Proceedings of the Bioethics Symposium, edited by Amit Patel, 55-63. Bioethics Association, 2018.

Examples of Bibliography for School Project

APA Style

  1. Book:
    • Johnson, A. (2021). The Solar System Explained. Space Science Press.
  2. Journal Article:
    • Patel, R. (2020). The effects of plastic pollution on marine life. Environmental Studies Journal, 34(1), 45-58.
  3. Website:
  4. Chapter in an Edited Book:
    • Smith, J. (2018). The role of bees in pollination. In K. Thompson (Ed.), Insect Biology and Ecology (pp. 120-135). Nature Publishing.
  5. Online Newspaper Article:

MLA Style

  1. Book:
    • Johnson, Anne. The Solar System Explained. Space Science Press, 2021.
  2. Journal Article:
    • Patel, Raj. “The Effects of Plastic Pollution on Marine Life.” Environmental Studies Journal, vol. 34, no. 1, 2020, pp. 45-58.
  3. Website:
  4. Chapter in an Edited Book:
    • Smith, John. “The Role of Bees in Pollination.” Insect Biology and Ecology, edited by Karen Thompson, Nature Publishing, 2018, pp. 120-135.
  5. Online Newspaper Article:

Chicago Style

  1. Book:
    • Johnson, Anne. The Solar System Explained. Space Science Press, 2021.
  2. Journal Article:
    • Patel, Raj. “The Effects of Plastic Pollution on Marine Life.” Environmental Studies Journal 34, no. 1 (2020): 45-58.
  3. Website:
  4. Chapter in an Edited Book:
    • Smith, John. “The Role of Bees in Pollination.” In Insect Biology and Ecology, edited by Karen Thompson, 120-135. Nature Publishing, 2018.
  5. Online Newspaper Article:

Examples of Bibliography for Books

APA Style

  1. Book by a Single Author:
    • Carson, R. (1962). Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin.
  2. Book by Multiple Authors:
    • Diamond, J., & Ordunio, D. (1992). The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal. HarperCollins.
  3. Edited Book:
    • Marcus, G. E. (Ed.). (1995). Technoscientific Imaginaries: Conversations, Profiles, and Memoirs. University of Chicago Press.
  4. Book with an Edition:
    • Turabian, K. L. (2013). A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (8th ed.). University of Chicago Press.
  5. Book with a Volume:
    • Sagan, C. (1980). Cosmos. Vol. 1. Random House.

MLA Style

  1. Book by a Single Author:
    • Carson, Rachel. Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin, 1962.
  2. Book by Multiple Authors:
    • Diamond, Jared, and Douglas Ordunio. The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal. HarperCollins, 1992.
  3. Edited Book:
    • Marcus, George E., editor. Technoscientific Imaginaries: Conversations, Profiles, and Memoirs. University of Chicago Press, 1995.
  4. Book with an Edition:
    • Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 8th ed., University of Chicago Press, 2013.
  5. Book with a Volume:
    • Sagan, Carl. Cosmos. Vol. 1, Random House, 1980.

Chicago Style

  1. Book by a Single Author:
    • Carson, Rachel. Silent Spring. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1962.
  2. Book by Multiple Authors:
    • Diamond, Jared, and Douglas Ordunio. The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal. New York: HarperCollins, 1992.
  3. Edited Book:
    • Marcus, George E., ed. Technoscientific Imaginaries: Conversations, Profiles, and Memoirs. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995.
  4. Book with an Edition:
    • Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 8th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2013.
  5. Book with a Volume:
    • Sagan, Carl. Cosmos. Vol. 1. New York: Random House, 1980.

Examples of Bibliography for Websites

APA Style

  1. News Website:
  2. Educational Website:
  3. Blog:
  4. Organization Website:
  5. Government Website:

MLA Style

  1. News Website:
  2. Educational Website:
  3. Blog:
  4. Organization Website:
  5. Government Website:

Chicago Style

  1. News Website:
  2. Educational Website:
  3. Blog:
  4. Organization Website:
  5. Government Website:

Examples of Bibliography in APA Style

1. Book:

Single Author:

  • Carson, R. (1962). Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin.

Multiple Authors:

  • Diamond, J., & Ordunio, D. (1992). The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal. HarperCollins.

2. Journal Article:

Single Author:

  • Smith, L. M. (2020). The impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Journal of Youth Studies, 35(2), 145-160.

Multiple Authors:

  • Johnson, P. L., & Thompson, R. A. (2019). Advancements in renewable energy technologies. Journal of Environmental Science, 28(3), 210-225.

3. Website:

News Website:

Educational Website:

4. Chapter in an Edited Book:

  • Brown, A. (2018). Renewable energy sources. In T. Green (Ed.), Advances in Environmental Science (pp. 50-75). Nature Publishing.

5. Conference Paper:

  • White, P. (2017). AI advancements in healthcare. In S. Lewis (Ed.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Health Informatics (pp. 102-110). HealthTech.

6. Online Newspaper Article:

7. E-book:

8. Government Report:

9. Magazine Article:

  • Hill, K. (2019, March). The rise of renewable energy. Energy Monthly, 48(3), 22-28.

10. Dissertation:

  • Green, L. (2021). Exploring renewable energy policies in Europe (Doctoral dissertation). University of Environmental Studies.

More Examples & Samples of Bibliography in PDF

1. Bibliography Sample

Bibliography Sample

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2. Bibliography Format

Bibliography Format

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3. Bibliography Format Example

Bibliography Format Example

college.ucla.edu

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4. Bibliography Style Sheet

Bibliography Style Sheet

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5. Bibliography Examples PDF

Bibliography Examples PDF

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6. MLA Style Bibliography

MLA Style Bibliography

utoledo.edu

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7. APA Annotated Bibliography

APA Annotated Bibliography

unb.ca

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8. Bibliography Example in PDF

Bibliography Example in PDF

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9. MLA Annotated Bibliography

MLA Annoted Bibliography

tcc.fl.edu

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10. Book Bibliography Example

Book Bibliography Example

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11. Bibliography Examples for Students

Bibliography Examples for Students

american.edu

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12. Bibliography in Research

Bibliography in Research

ala.org

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Purpose of a Bibliography

A bibliography serves several essential functions in academic and research work. Here are the primary purposes:

1. Crediting Sources

A bibliography acknowledges the work of other authors and researchers. It gives credit to those whose ideas, theories, and research have contributed to your work.

2. Avoiding Plagiarism

By properly citing sources, a bibliography helps you avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is the unethical practice of using someone else’s work or ideas without proper acknowledgment.

3. Providing Evidence

A bibliography supports the claims and arguments made in your work. It shows that your research is based on credible sources and provides evidence to back up your points.

4. Guiding Further Research

A well-compiled bibliography can guide readers interested in exploring the topic further. It provides a list of resources that readers can use to expand their knowledge.

5. Demonstrating Research Effort

Including a comprehensive bibliography demonstrates the depth of your research. It shows that you have thoroughly investigated the topic and consulted a variety of sources.

6. Enhancing Credibility

A bibliography enhances the credibility of your work. It shows that you have engaged with existing research and literature, adding legitimacy to your findings and arguments.

7. Facilitating Verification

A bibliography allows others to verify the sources you used. This transparency helps maintain the integrity of academic and research work.

Rules of Bibliography

Creating a bibliography involves following specific rules to ensure accuracy, consistency, and clarity. Here are the essential rules for different citation styles:

1. General Rules

  1. Consistency: Use the same citation style throughout your bibliography.
  2. Alphabetical Order: List entries alphabetically by the author’s last name.
  3. Multiple Works by the Same Author: Arrange multiple works by the same author in chronological order, starting with the oldest.
  4. Author Names: Use the full name of authors (last name first), followed by their initials (for APA) or full first name (for MLA and Chicago).
  5. Titles: Italicize book and journal titles. Use quotation marks for article and chapter titles.
  6. Publication Details: Include all necessary publication details such as the publisher, year, volume, issue, and page numbers.
  7. Hanging Indent: Use a hanging indent for each entry, where the first line is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented.

2. APA Style Rules

  • Books: Author(s). (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.
  • Articles: Author(s). (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, Volume(Issue), Page numbers. DOI

Example:

  • Smith, J. (2020). Understanding English Literature. Penguin Books.
  • Doe, J. (2019). The impact of modern technology on literature. Literary Review, 34(2), 145-158. https://doi.org/10.1234/lr.2019.02.015

3. MLA Style Rules

  • Books: Author(s). Title of the book. Publisher, Year.
  • Articles: Author(s). “Title of the article.” Title of the Journal, vol. Volume, no. Issue, Year, pp. Page numbers.

Example:

  • Smith, John. Understanding English Literature. Penguin Books, 2020.
  • Doe, Jane. “The Impact of Modern Technology on Literature.” Literary Review, vol. 34, no. 2, 2019, pp. 145-158.

4. Chicago Style Rules

  • Books: Author(s). Title of the book. Place of publication: Publisher, Year.
  • Articles: Author(s). “Title of the article.” Title of the Journal Volume, no. Issue (Year): Page numbers. DOI

Example:

  • Smith, John. Understanding English Literature. New York: Penguin Books, 2020.
  • Doe, Jane. “The Impact of Modern Technology on Literature.” Literary Review 34, no. 2 (2019): 145-158. https://doi.org/10.1234/lr.2019.02.015.

What is included in a Bibliography

A bibliography provides a comprehensive list of all the sources you have referred to or consulted in your research work. Here are the key elements included in a bibliography:

1. Author(s)

  • Books: Full names of all authors. List them in the order they appear in the source.
  • Articles: Full names of all authors. In APA, use initials for first and middle names; in MLA and Chicago, use full first names.
  • Websites: Name of the author, if available. If not, use the name of the organization.

2. Title

  • Books: Full title of the book, italicized.
  • Articles: Title of the article in quotation marks. Title of the journal or magazine in italics.
  • Websites: Title of the specific page or article in quotation marks. The website title in italics if different from the author or organization.

3. Publication Date

  • Books: Year of publication.
  • Articles: Year, and if available, the month and day.
  • Websites: Date of publication or last update.

4. Publisher

  • Books: Name of the publishing company.
  • Websites: The organization responsible for publishing the content, if available.

5. Volume and Issue Numbers (for Articles)

  • Journals: Include the volume number (italicized) and issue number (in parentheses).

6. Page Numbers (for Articles)

  • Articles: The range of pages the article appears on.

7. DOI or URL

  • Articles: Digital Object Identifier (DOI) for journal articles.
  • Websites: The full URL of the webpage.

Bibliography vs. References

Bibliography vs. References
AspectBibliographyReferences
PurposeLists all sources consulted for background or further readingLists only the sources cited directly in the work
ScopeComprehensive; includes sources not directly citedSelective; includes only directly cited sources
ContentBooks, articles, websites, interviews, and other materialsBooks, articles, websites, etc., but only those cited
PlacementUsually at the end of the workAlso at the end of the work
FormatsVaries by citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.)Same formats as bibliography but specific to cited sources
UsageOften used in more extensive research, like dissertationsCommon in shorter papers, articles, and essays
LengthTypically longer due to inclusion of additional sourcesGenerally shorter as it includes fewer entries
AnnotationsCan be annotated to provide summaries or evaluationsRarely annotated unless specified
ExamplesExternal reading, background research, etc.Direct quotes, paraphrases, data, etc.
Citation StyleAPA: “Bibliography,” MLA: “Works Cited,” Chicago: “Bibliography”APA: “References,” MLA: “Works Cited,” Chicago: “References”
AlphabetizationAlphabetical order by author’s last nameAlphabetical order by author’s last name

How to Make a Bibliography

  1. Collect Information: Gather the following details for each source:
    • Author(s)
    • Title
    • Publication date
    • Publisher
    • Volume and issue numbers (for articles)
    • Page numbers
    • DOI or URL (for online sources)
  2. Choose a Citation Style: Use APA, MLA, or Chicago style as required.
  3. Format Entries: Follow the specific rules for your chosen style.

APA Style Examples

  • Book: Smith, J. (2020). Understanding English Literature. Penguin Books.
  • Article: Doe, J. (2019). The impact of modern technology on literature. Literary Review, 34(2), 145-158. https://doi.org/10.1234/lr.2019.02.015

MLA Style Examples

  • Book: Smith, John. Understanding English Literature. Penguin Books, 2020.
  • Article: Doe, Jane. “The Impact of Modern Technology on Literature.” Literary Review, vol. 34, no. 2, 2019, pp. 145-158.

Chicago Style Examples

  • Book: Smith, John. Understanding English Literature. New York: Penguin Books, 2020.
  • Article: Doe, Jane. “The Impact of Modern Technology on Literature.” Literary Review 34, no. 2 (2019): 145-158. https://doi.org/10.1234/lr.2019.02.015.
  1. Arrange Entries:
    • Alphabetical Order: By the author’s last name.
    • Multiple Works by Same Author: List them chronologically.
  2. Use a Hanging Indent: The first line of each entry is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented.
  3. Review and Proofread: Ensure accuracy and consistency.

Why is a bibliography important?

It credits sources, avoids plagiarism, and provides evidence, enhancing the credibility and reliability of your academic work.

How do you format a book in a bibliography?

List the author, year, title in italics, and publisher. Follow the rules of your chosen citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago).

What is the difference between a bibliography and a reference list?

A bibliography includes all consulted sources, while a reference list only includes sources directly cited in the text.

How should multiple authors be listed in a bibliography?

List all authors in the order they appear in the source. Use commas to separate names, and an ampersand or “and” before the last author.

How do you cite an online source in a bibliography?

Include the author (or organization), year, title, and URL. Follow specific style guidelines (APA, MLA, Chicago).

What is a hanging indent in a bibliography?

A formatting style where the first line of each entry is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented.

Can I include sources I did not cite in my bibliography?

Yes, in a bibliography, you can include sources you consulted for background information, even if not directly cited.

What information is needed to cite a journal article?

Author(s), year, article title, journal title, volume, issue, page numbers, and DOI if available.

Do different citation styles have different rules?

Yes, APA, MLA, and Chicago styles have unique rules for formatting entries. Follow the specific guidelines for your chosen style.

How often should I update my bibliography?

Update it whenever you add new sources or find more accurate information. Regular updates ensure accuracy and completeness.

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