HAR
Harvard Referencing
Most common in UK universitiesExample Format
Smith, J. (2023) "Title of article", Journal Name, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 45–60.Author-date system. Author surname, initial(s), year, title in quotation marks or italics, source details. No footnotes.
Key Rules
→ In-text: (Smith, 2023)
→ Reference list: alphabetical
→ Books, journals, websites, reports all covered
→ Specific UK university variations apply
Common Disciplines
Business & ManagementSocial SciencesHumanitiesHealth Sciences
APA
APA (7th Edition)
Psychology, Education, Social SciencesExample Format
Smith, J. A. (2023). Title of article. Journal Name, 10(2), 45–60. https://doi.org/xxxxxAmerican Psychological Association. Author-date. 7th edition introduced doi/URL formatting changes.
Key Rules
→ In-text: (Smith, 2023, p. 45)
→ References page: hanging indent
→ DOI/URL required for electronic sources
→ Up to 20 authors listed
Common Disciplines
PsychologyEducationSocial SciencesNursing
MLA
MLA (9th Edition)
Humanities, Literature, LanguagesExample Format
Smith, John. "Title of Article." Journal Name, vol. 10, no. 2, 2023, pp. 45–60.Modern Language Association. Works Cited page. Author-page in-text (Smith 45). 9th edition emphasizes containers.
Key Rules
→ In-text: (Smith 45)
→ Works Cited: alphabetical
→ Container system for nested sources
→ No date required in in-text
Common Disciplines
English LiteratureLinguisticsCultural StudiesFilm Studies
CHI
Chicago (18th Edition)
History, Arts, BusinessExample Format
Smith, John. "Title of Article." Journal Name 10, no. 2 (2023): 45–60.Two systems: Notes-Bibliography (humanities) and Author-Date (sciences). 18th edition updated digital source guidance.
Key Rules
→ Notes-Bibliography: footnotes + bibliography
→ Author-Date: in-text + reference list
→ Full notes vs. shortened notes
→ Ibid. for repeated citations
Common Disciplines
HistoryArts & HumanitiesBusinessSocial Sciences
VAN
Vancouver System
Medicine, Health Sciences, SciencesExample Format
1. Smith J, Jones A. Title of article. J Med. 2023;10(2):45-60.Numbered system. Citations in text are sequential numbers in superscript or brackets. Common in medical journals (BMJ, Lancet).
Key Rules
→ In-text: superscript number (¹) or [1]
→ Reference list: numbered sequentially
→ Abbreviated journal names (NLM)
→ Up to 6 authors, then et al.
Common Disciplines
MedicineNursingPharmacologyBiomedical Sciences
OSC
OSCOLA
Law — UK StandardExample Format
Smith v Jones [2023] EWCA Civ 123 (Court of Appeal); Jane Smith, 'Title' (Oxford UP 2023) 45.Oxford Standard for the Citation of Legal Authorities. Footnote-based system for legal documents and academic law papers.
Key Rules
→ Footnote citations throughout
→ Separate bibliography
→ Case law, statutes, secondary sources
→ Pinpoint citations to specific paragraphs
Common Disciplines
LawLegal StudiesJurisprudenceHuman Rights
TUR
Turabian
Theses, Dissertations, Academic PapersExample Format
Smith, John. 'Title of Article.' Journal Name 10, no. 2 (2023): 45–60.Based on Chicago style. Designed specifically for students writing theses and dissertations. Two citation systems available.
Key Rules
→ Notes-Bibliography or Author-Date
→ Designed for student papers
→ Simplified Chicago for theses
→ Widely accepted in UK universities
Common Disciplines
All Academic DisciplinesTheses & DissertationsResearch PapersAcademic Writing
IEEE
IEEE
Engineering, Computer Science, TechnologyExample Format
[1] J. Smith and A. Jones, "Title of paper," J. IEEE Trans., vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 45–60, 2023.Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Bracketed numbered citations. Essential for IEEE journal/conference submissions.
Key Rules
→ In-text: [1] in brackets
→ Reference list: numbered order
→ Abbreviated author names
→ Required for all IEEE publications
Common Disciplines
Computer ScienceElectrical EngineeringSoftware EngineeringTelecommunications
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