Bibliography v/s Reference List
16 February 2024 Views: 2881

Difference Between Bibliography vs Reference List

Difference Between Bibliography vs References

Dissertations, assignments and other academic documents are indispensable parts of the educational system. Unfortunately while working on such papers students often get confused in Bibliography and References. Although you may already know that both terms play important role in your academic documents. Messing up with bibliography and referencing can have a bad impact on your papers.

However, both have similar functions to some extent but there are many important things which make bibliography and referencing completely different from each other. Due to their similarities, students often get confused and either they use one of them in the document or end up using nothing. As a result, students face plagiarism and credibility-related issues at the time of submission.

We understand that failing in your academic papers can be stressful. Thus in this, we will discuss the Bibliography and referencing in detail. Along with that will clear your every confusion about both the terms. So that you can able to submit the finest assignment with proper referencing and bibliography sections. Read further and first understand the Bibliography and referencing in particular.

Bibliography

The bibliography can simply be defined as a list of sources you have used in your assignment, books, etc. It is an important part of any document and you should never forget to format it accurately without missing any details. The section of the bibliography is reserved at the end of any book, assignment and more. You can list all the sources you have used in the document in the bibliography whether they are cited or consulted by experts.

The bibliography is useful for both you and your readers as you are providing them with appropriate resources to check the authenticity of the work. If you want to create a proper bibliography for your document then you may start writing down your sources as soon as you start working on your papers. From this, you will not miss any source you have used in your assignments or any papers.

Referencing List

You have read the brief on the Bibliography. Now we will continue discussing what the Referencing list is in detail. Well, the section of the referencing list also contains a detailed list of all the sources you have used in your document but only cited sources. If you are a student then you should understand that referencing/citation is an important component of academic writing. You just can’t miss it while working on your document.

When you provide proper referencing/citation in your academic document you are dodging all the changes of plagiarism in your work. By making use of accurate referencing/citation in the document you are giving full credit to the original writer. Along with that it also helps in maintaining academic authenticity and virtue. Let us also clarify that the referencing/citation list is also created at the end of your document with proper details original writer's name, page number, publication and year.

The distinction between a reference list and a bibliography

You may have well understood that the bibliography and the referencing list are two different things. However, to give you a better understanding of both the bibliography and the referencing list we are highlighting some major differences between both of them.

Bibliography

Referencing List

The bibliography involves every source writers have cited in the document including other sources.

The referencing list only includes cited sources used by writers.

A bibliography helps writers to keep a record of their work.

A referencing helps to give credit to the original author.

The bibliography covers books, articles, websites, etc.

The referencing covers only authoritative academic sources such as books and journals.

The bibliography is organised in alphabetical order.

The referencing is arranged in APA order or MLA order.

The bibliographies are very long.

The references have minimum words.

Common Elements of a Bibliography and Citation List

Now you have understood the major difference between the Bibliography And Referencing List. However, there are also some common factors among both of these. Let's understand what they are in the following points:

  • Both Bibliography And Referencing List are used to maintain academic integrity.
  • Writers give credit to original authors from both Bibliography And Referencing List.
  • Readers can easily trace the record from the given citation in both Bibliography And Referencing List.
  • The bibliography And Referencing List both include sources that have been cited in the document.
  • The bibliography And Referencing List both have a formal format so that readers can read and understand them easily.

Concerned About These Terms? Allow Us to Assist You.

Understanding and using the bibliography and referencing list is easy. However, some of you still getting confused about how to format them properly. Don’t get yourself worried because we are here to assist you with assignment-related problems. You can reach out to New Assignment Help for better assistance and our experts will give you the best guidance. They will help you create an accurate bibliography and reference for your academic document. We assure you that with our assistance you will not face any plagiarism-related problems in your document work.

Along with this, you can also get assistance with your academic documents. Our experts have assisted thousands of students in their assignments, dissertations, thesis, etc. You will be surprised to know that our platform has a great team consisting of more than 500 writers who have expertise in their subject specialisation. They will help you create the finest and 100% plagiarism documents for your academics. You can also share your subject or assignment concerns with our writers and they will provide you with the best solutions. We are available 24*7 for your assignment queries, contact us when you are comfortable.

Author Bio

author-image
Slavoj Zizek   rating 3 years | Masters

With a passion for helping students excel in their studies, I specialise in crafting clear, concise, and well-structured reference lists and bibliographies. Hi guys, I am Slavoj and I have been working as an academic writer with New Assignment Help for the last 3 years. I have honed my skills in various citation styles, including APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard. Whether you're struggling to distinguish between reference lists and bibliographies or need assistance with formatting your citations, I'm here to provide expert guidance and support. You can contact me to get guidance on any of your academic papers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The difference between a bibliography and a reference list is very little but significant. A reference list is a list of all the sources that you have mentioned in your writing whereas a bibliography is a more comprehensive list that includes all the sources and background information of the sources also.

When should I use a bibliography and when should I use a reference list?

You should use a bibliography and a reference list as per the different requirements of the text. A bibliography provides a comprehensive overview of the research and is mostly used in the fields of literature, history and philosophy. A reference list provides the records of specific sources to support arguments and claims and is mostly used in the fields of science, social science and business.

What is the purpose of a bibliography or reference list?

The purpose of a bibliography is to provide a comprehensive overview of the research done on a topic. The purpose of a reference list is to provide a proper record of the specific sources cited in the text. It is used to support arguments and claims. Both are used to refer to the sources cited in the text directly and indirectly.

What referencing style should I use for a bibliography or reference list?

The referencing style you should use for a bibliography should be as per the rules and requirements mentioned by your university or institution. You can use APA, MLA, Harvard or Chicago as advised by your institution. You should use a suitable style and proper formatting to make your work academically sound and avoid plagiarism.

What information should I include in a bibliography or reference list entry?

The general information you should include in a bibliography or a reference list entry are the author’s name, publication year, title of the work, and publication details. Page number, editor's name, edition number, DOI and URL are optional additions that you should mention where required and while citing online resources.
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