When you get started with a dissertation, you would probably think about how much time it will take you to research and collect information. But what about the sources of the information? One might look up the sources to find the right information, but once they have obtained it, they see no use in it. Students often make this mistake while making a dissertation- they ignore the bibliography part. They often wonder what makes a professional dissertation writer stand out. It is attention to detail.
You need to present every aspect of the document very clearly, no matter how insignificant it may seem. The bibliography may look like an inconsequential part of the dissertation, but it holds great importance since it takes the readers to the sources from where the information has been derived. Here is a guide on how to write a bibliography that effectively serves the purpose:
1. Keep track
While researching, usually students are glad that they found the information they were looking for and, in the excitement, forget to note down the source. You must note down all the sources as you go on with your research as it makes your bibliography compilation easy. Otherwise, hard for you to track down all the sources and will waste your precious time.
2. Where to find the source information
Finding the source is one thing that discourages students from making a comprehensive bibliography. The information regarding the source is found at different places depending on the type of resource. Here are some places you can find bibliographic information from:
- Header and footer of the website
- Heading of an article
- The contact and About page of websites
- The editorial section of magazine or newspaper
3. Organize in a template
After you have gathered all the sources, you need to compile them in a list. Following a structure is necessary here as it ensures better presentation and readability. You can follow a pre-decided template for the purpose. You can follow the examples of MLA or APA format or any other asked by the university.
4. Format for website
If you are collecting information from a website, these are the things you should note down for your bibliography:
- The author’s name (if available)
- The publishing date (if available)
- Title of the article/blog/page
- The organization or company that owns the page
- The web address
5. Format for printed source
If you are collecting information from a print source, these are the things you should note down for your bibliography:
- Author’s name
- Date of publication
- Name of the publication
- Title of the write-up
- The place of publication
- The volume of the book
- The page numbers
6. Minimum sources
It is generally recommended to mention a minimum of three sources in your bibliography, but it is advised to list all the significant sources as it shows that the dissertation is well-researched and authentic. Check in with your mentor and university with what rules they have regarding the same.
Students highly tend to underplay the bibliography part, but it is one of the first questions asked during a dissertation interview to test the authenticity of the document. Not making a proper bibliography can also lead you to trouble for plagiarism. Hence, it is always advised to pay necessary attention to it. Follow the above-mentioned guide and you will be good to go.
Summary: This write-up by assignment help Australia aims to provide students with some guidance on how to write a bibliography for their dissertation.