Reference style in research methodology
In research methodology, referencing is important to acknowledge the sources of information and ideas that have influenced the research. There are various referencing styles that can be used, and the choice of style often depends on the academic discipline or the preferences of the researcher or the institution.
Some common referencing styles used in research methodology include:
1. American Psychological Association (APA) style: This style is commonly used in the social sciences and psychology. It includes in-text citations with the author's last name and publication year, as well as a reference list at the end of the paper with full details of the sources.
2. Modern Language Association (MLA) style: This style is often used in the humanities and literature. It also includes in-text citations with the author's last name and page number, as well as a works cited list at the end of the paper.
3. Chicago style: The Chicago Manual of Style is a widely used style in academic writing, and it offers both notes and bibliography and author-date citation systems.
4. Harvard referencing style: This style is used in various disciplines and requires in-text citations with the author's last name and year of publication, as well as a reference list at the end of the paper.
5. Vancouver style: This style is commonly used in the biomedical and scientific disciplines and uses numbered citations in the text that correspond to a numbered list of references at the end of the paper.
It is important to be consistent in the use of a particular referencing style throughout the research paper to ensure accuracy and precision in citing sources. Additionally, researchers should follow the guidelines provided by their institution or publisher when formatting references.