1. Referencing in Research
Dr. Shrutidhara Mahanta
Department of Education
Directorate of Open and Distance Learning
Dibrugarh University

2. Meaning:
 Referencing in research means listing of all the cited works. It
is the acknowledgement to other people's (researcher’s and
writer’s) work those have contributions to our own work.
 In other words, it refers to the practice of acknowledging and
citing the sources of information that we have used or
consulted in our research work. It is an essential aspect of
academic writing and scholarly research to give credit to the
original authors and avoid plagiarism.
 Different standard methods of referencing are there for citing
other’s study. These methods are called as referencing styles
or citation styles.

3. Purposes of Referencing in Research:
 Providing evidence: By referencing the sources of the study, the researcher
provides evidence to support the arguments and claims of the study. It indicates
that the work is based on existing knowledge and a thorough literature review has
been conducted during the study.
 Giving credit: It is Referencing by which the researcher can acknowledge the
original authors and researchers whose work has contributed to the researcher’s
understanding of the topic. It demonstrates academic integrity and ethical research
practices.
 Enabling verification and replication: By citing sources, the research enables the
readers to locate and verify the information used. It also allows others to replicate
that particular study by accessing the same sources.
 Increase credibility of the researcher: Through referencing, the researcher
establishes the depth of the research work by showcasing a wide range of sources.
This helps establish the researchers expertise and credibility.

4. Different Referencing Styles:
 APA (American Psychological Association),
 MLA (Modern Language Association),
 Chicago/ Turabian, Harvard, and
 IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
 Each style has specific rules and guidelines for formatting in-text
citations and the bibliography or reference list at the end of the
research paper.
 It is important to follow the appropriate referencing style consistently
throughout the research work to maintain consistency, ensure
accuracy, and adhere to the academic standards of one’s field. We will
follow APA style in this discussion.

5. Use of abbreviations, footnotes and bibliography
 Abbreviations, footnotes, and bibliographies are important
components of research writing that enhance clarity, provide
additional information, and acknowledge the sources used.
 Abbreviations are shortened forms of words or phrases used to simplify and
streamline text. In research writing, abbreviations are commonly used to save
space, improve readability, and facilitate referencing.
 Footnotes are used to provide additional information, explanations, or
references that are not included in the main text but are still relevant to the
topic being discussed.
 The bibliography or reference list is an essential part of research writing and
includes a complete list of all the sources cited or consulted in the paper.

6. Guidelines for using abbreviations:
 Define abbreviations: When introducing an abbreviation for the first time in
your paper, spell out the full term or phrase, followed by the abbreviation in
parentheses. For example, “Open and Distance Learning (ODL)."
 Consistent usage: Once an abbreviation has been defined, it can be used
throughout the paper. Ensure that the same abbreviation is consistently used
each time that term or phrase appears.
 Standard abbreviations: Certain abbreviations are widely accepted and
commonly used in research literature. Examples include DNA, RNA, GDP, HIV,
etc. These standard abbreviations do not require full spelling out.
 Discipline-specific abbreviations: Some disciplines have specific abbreviations
that are commonly used within that field. It is important to follow the
conventions of your specific field or consult the appropriate style guide.

7. Use of Footnotes:
 Supplemental information: Footnotes can be used to expand
upon or provide additional details that might distract from the
main flow of the text. This can include tangential information,
clarifications, or examples.
 Citations and references: Footnotes can be used to provide source
citations or references for specific statements or claims made in
the text. This helps readers access the original sources and verify
the information.
 Editorial comments: Footnotes can also be used to add editorial
comments, personal observations, or reflections that are relevant
to the topic but not directly included in the main text.

8. Examples of Abbreviation and Footnote:

9. Purposes and usages of Bibliography:
 Comprehensive listing: The bibliography provides a comprehensive list
of all the works referenced in the paper, allowing readers to locate and
further explore the sources used in the research.
 Proper citation format: Each source in the bibliography is presented in
a consistent citation format according to the chosen referencing style
(e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago etc.). This ensures that readers can identify
and retrieve the sources easily.
 Organized presentation: The bibliography is typically arranged
alphabetically by the author's last name or by the title of the source. It
includes all the necessary bibliographic details such as author(s), title,
publication date, and other relevant information.

10. Referencing Types:
 There are two types of referencing in research- In-text referencing and
bibliographic or reference list referencing.
 In-text referencing, also known as in-text citations or parenthetical
citations, is a method of acknowledging and citing sources within the
main body of the text in academic or research writing. It typically
includes the author's last name, the publication year, and, depending
on the referencing style, page numbers etc.
 Bibliographic or reference list referencing is the inclusion of a separate
bibliography or reference list at the end of the research paper or
academic work. This list provides complete bibliographic information
for all the sources you have cited or consulted in your work.

11. Purposes of in-text referencing :
 Attribute ideas and information: In-text referencing allows the
researcher to attribute specific ideas, concepts, or information to the
original source. This helps give credit to the original author and
provides evidence for the statements of the study.
 Provide context and support: By referencing sources within the text,
the researcher can provide context and support for his/ her arguments,
claims, or discussions. It helps readers understand the foundation and
credibility of the study.
 Guide readers to the full reference: In-text citations help readers locate
the full reference in the bibliography or reference list if they want to
explore the source further or verify the information.

12. The purpose of the reference list:
 Provide complete source information: The reference list includes the
full details of each cited source, such as the author's name, title,
publication date, publisher, and other relevant information. It allows
readers to locate the original sources.
 Follow specific formatting guidelines: Each referencing style has
specific rules for formatting the reference list, including the order of
elements, punctuation, and indentation. Following these guidelines
ensures consistency and adherence to academic standards.
 Enable further research: It serves as a resource for readers who wish to
explore the sources used by the previous researcher. It enables them to
explore deeper into the subject matter, and also to verify the
information.

13. In- Text Referencing
 APA 7th is an 'author/date' system, so your in-text references for all
formats (book, journal article, web document) consists of the author(s)
surname and year of publication.
 The basics of an in-text reference in APA:
Include author or authors and year of publication.
Use round brackets.
 Example:
 single Author : (Mahanta, 2020 )

14. In- Text Referencing
 Example:
 Two Authors : (Mahanta & Sharma, 2022)
 More than two Authors: (Zhao et al., 2020)

15. In- Text Referencing
 When citing multiple works in the same parentheses, citations are
presented in chronological order separated with semicolons.
 Example: (Singh & Thurman, 2019; Sharma & Mishra, 2007)
 When citing multiple works in the same parentheses, citations are
presented in chronological order and then alphabetical order,
separated with semicolons.
Example: (Al Lily et al., 2020; Mahanta, 2020; Paul, & Jefferson,
2019)

16. The Reference List
 Journal article:
 Example:
• Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal,
Volume(Issue), Page range. DOI or URL (if available)
• Mahanta, S. & Sharma, R. (2022). Challenges, Prospects, and Strategies of Emergency
Online Education at Secondary Level in the Assam State of India during COVID-19
Pandemic. Education and Self Development. 17 (4), Pp. 35-51. DOI:
10.26907/esd.17.4.04.
 Conference Papers:
 Example:
• Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of paper. In A. Editor & B. Editor (Eds.), Title of
Conference Proceedings (pp. Page range). Publisher.
• Mahanta, S ( 2017). Open Learning and Economic Empowerment: A Tracer Study of
Professional Programmes of the Directorate of Open and Distance Learning, Dibrugarh
University, Assam. In N.N. Sarma, G. Goswami & P. Das ( Eds.) Developmental
Interventions and Open Learning for Empowering and Transforming Society, pp. 137-
151. KKHOU. ISBN: 978-81-934669-0-2.

17. The Reference List
 Book:
 Example:
• Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.
• Koul, L. (2009). Methodology of Educational Research. Vikash Publishing House
Pvt. Ltd.
 Book Chapters:
 Example:
• Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of chapter. In A. Editor, B. Editor, & C. Editor (Eds.),
Title of book , pp. Page range. Publisher.
• Mahanta, S. (2021 ). Open Higher Education in Assam: Prospects and Challenges. In R.
Bordoloi, P. Das ( Eds.) Open Higher Education in the 21st Century , pp. 231-257. NOVA
Science Publishers.
• Smith, J. D., & Johnson, L. M. (2022). The Impact of Technology in Education. In K.
Anderson & M. Thompson (Eds.), Advancements in Educational Practices, pp. 75-92.
Springer.

18. The Reference List
 News Paper article
 Example: Mahanta, S. (2021, July 19). Online Threat: How much we are conscious ?
Axomiya Pratidin: an Assamese daily. https://epaper.asomiyapratidin.in
 Internet Documents :
 Examples:
• Web-page : U-DISE. (2021). Unified District Information System for Education:
Secondary Level- New 2017-18 data.
http://udise.schooleduinfo.in/dashboard/Secondary.
• Report : UNESCO. (2021). Global Education Coalition. [ Report No. May 2021].
https://en.unesco.org/ covid19/educationresponse/globalcoalition.
• Website: Doe, J. (2022). Understanding Climate Change. Retrieved from
https://www.examplewebsite.com/climate-change

19. Thank You