Writing a bibliography ML-RS11

A bibliographical reference should contain sufficient information for someone else or yourself to trace the item in a Library. There is nothing more frustrating than coming to write up your dissertation only to find that you have forgotten to note publisher, page numbers, year etc. for the publication you have referred to during your research. As you embark on your review of the literature, keep a careful note of the full details of all the items you refer to. It is time-consuming but well worth it. We recommend you use the Harvard system to compile the bibliography for your dissertation. In this system references are indicated in the text of a paper/dissertation by giving the author's name with the year of publication in brackets e.g. Bennett (1978). All references should then be listed in alphabetical order at the end. The following are the most common types of publication: (a) A book by a single author: Rudduck, J. (1991) Innovation and change, developing and understanding. Milton Keynes, Open University Press. (b) A book by two authors: Bull, S. and Solity, J. (1989) Classroom management, principles to practice. London, Routledge. (c) A book by three or more authors: McCulloch, R., et al (1993) English 16-19, entitlement at A-level. London, Fulton. (d) An edition of an author's work: Wellington, J.J. (ed.) (1986) Controversial issues in the curriculum. Oxford, Basil Blackwell. (e) A translation: Rousseau, J.J. (1953) The confessions of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, trans. J.M. Cohen, Harmondsworth, Penguin Books. (f) An article in a periodical/journal: Boydell, D. (1975) 'Pupil behaviour in junior classrooms', British Journal of Educational Psychology, 45, 122-9. (g) A newspaper article: Bishop, J. (1976) 'Mental maps', Times Educational Supplement, No. 3161, 2 January, 14. http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/libdocs/ml-rs11.pdf
Copyright 2007, The University of Sheffield

(h) A thesis or dissertation: Clough, P. (1980) Language and being, the phenomenology of language and some of its implications for education. Unpublished M.Ed. dissertation. University of Sheffield. (i) An article in a book: Block, J.H. and Burns, R.B. (1976) 'Mastery learning' in Shulman, L.S. (Ed.) Review of research in education, Volume 4. Itasaca: F.E. Peacock. (j) A conference paper: Bush, A.J. (1977) 'An empirical investigation of teacher clarity'. Paper given at an AERA Annual Conference, New York. (k) A government publication: Bullock report (1975) 'A language for life'. London, H.M.S.O.. Journal title abbreviations There is much to be said for not abbreviating journal titles. However it is an almost universal practice. Single letter abbreviations should not be used, except for subjects like law, where they are well established. If you do wish to use abbreviations follow either: British Standard BS4148:1985 The abbreviation of title words and titles of publications. ML REF Q025.173(B) Or: The practice of an abstracting or indexing publication which covers your subject - this being the likely source of many of your journal references. Useful sources Bell, J. (1993) Doing your research project, a guide for first-time researchers in education and social science. Buckingham, Open University Press. Bosworth, D.P. (1992) Citing your references, a guide for authors of journal articles and students writing theses or dissertations. Thirsk, Underhill Press for the Learning Resources Development Group. Cohen, L. (1994) Research methods in education, 4th edition. London, Routledge. Foskett, D.J. (1977) Notes on compiling bibliographies for the guidance of students preparing reports and theses in the field of education, 3rd ed.. London University, Institute of Education Library. MHRA style book, notes for authors, editors and writers of theses, 4th ed.. London, Modern Humanities Research Association. Turabian, K.L., (1982) A manual for writers of research papers, theses and dissertations. London, Heinemann. For further information contact your Academic Liaison Librarian.

http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/libdocs/ml-rs11.pdf
Copyright 2007, The University of Sheffield