How do I find the correct citation style?

Introduction

In the world of academic writing, correct citation of sources is essential to maintain the integrity of your research, to place your research in the current context and also to avoid plagiarism. There are a variety of citation styles depending on the subject area, university and publication medium (e.g. publishers or journals). From the Harvard citation style to the German citation style, from the numerical system to footnotes, choosing the right citation style can be a challenge. But it's not just about citing correctly, it's also about creating a consistent bibliography that gives your academic work a professional look. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

In this article, I would like to give you a comprehensive overview of the different citation styles/citation styles and how to use them, including tips on how to choose the right style for your master's thesis or bachelor's thesis. In addition, you will learn how to effectively use programmes such as Zotero and Mendeley to manage your sources and bibliographies effortlessly.

My aim is to give you the knowledge you need to master different types of citation and answer the question: ’What citation styles are there and how do I use them correctly?"

Overview of citation styles

Definition of citation style

A citation style, also known as a citation style, is a collection of rules that define how sources are referred to in a scientific paper. These rules are often published in an official handbook with explanations, examples and recommendations. Each citation style regulates how sources are to be labelled in a paper and in what order they should be listed in the bibliography.

Purpose and meaning

The main purpose of a citation style is to provide a standardised and comprehensible method of citing sources, which makes it possible to correctly attribute the information used and avoid plagiarism. This ensures scientific integrity and makes it easier for other researchers to check the sources. It is important that only one citation style is used consistently throughout the paper to ensure uniformity.

Main types of citation styles

Numerical system

In the numerical system, each source is given a unique number, which is listed in the bibliography. This number is used in the text to refer to the corresponding source. This style is often used in the natural sciences as it streamlines the presentation of information and does not interrupt the flow of the text. E.G.: ’... xxx has shown [1]."

Author-date system / ‘Harvard’ / ‘name-date system’ / ‘American system’

The author-date system, often referred to as the American or Harvard citation style, identifies sources directly in the text at the point of use by the name of the author and the year of publication. This system makes it possible to quickly identify the cited source without interrupting the flow of the text. E.G.: ’... xxx was shown. (Müller et al., 2011)."

Nota bene'Harvard styles' have nothing to do with Harvard University.

Footnote system / German citation style

The footnote system, also known as the German citation style, uses footnotes or endnotes to identify sources. Footnotes are placed at the bottom of the page, while endnotes appear at the end of the text. It is important not to confuse numerical styles with endnote styles. This style allows for detailed comments and explanations outside the main text, which is particularly appreciated in the humanities. There is no standardised ‘German citation style’. Please read the following guide on how to do this.

E.g.: ‘Main text.....

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1 See Müller et al., 2011, Das Buch über die Liebe, p. 33.

How to choose the right citation style

Consideration of your field/area of research

When choosing the right citation style, it is important to consider the subject area in which you are working. Different disciplines favour different citation styles. For example, the natural sciences often favour the numerical system, while the humanities tend to use the footnote system. Your choice should reflect the conventions of your discipline to facilitate communication within the disciplinary community.

Requirements of the university/publisher

In addition to the subject area, the specific requirements of your university are also decisive. Some educational institutions have strict guidelines regarding the citation styles to be used. It is therefore advisable to familiarise yourself with your university's guidelines before starting your work. This will ensure that your academic work meets the requirements and is accepted by your supervisors. I have now created customised styles for more than 50 universities in the DACH region, exactly according to the university's guidelines. You can find these in my shop , otherwise you can always request a new custom style.

Personal preferences

Finally, your personal preferences also play a role in choosing a citation style. If you have a choice, choose a style that seems logical to you and that you can work with most efficiently and is also widely used, i.e. APA, AMA, IEEE, Cite Them Right, Chicago, MLA. Using a citation style that fits well with the way you work can make the process of writing and citing much easier. There are now over 10,000 styles in the CSL Style Repository: https://www.zotero.org/styles

Using citation styles in reference management programmes

Citation styles in Zotero, Mendeley and co.

Zotero offers an impressive range of citation styles, with over 10,300 options available, allowing customisation to almost any publication requirement. By using the Citation Style Language project, you can search for specific styles in Zotero, for example by entering the name of the journal or filtering by the style you want. Once you have found the desired citation style, you can simply add it to your list and use it in your documents.

Customisation to one's individual needs

In addition to the selection of preset styles, Zotero also offers the option of personalising citation styles. You can customise existing styles directly in the program by going to ‘Document settings’ and making changes there. If you have specific requirements and the style you need is not available, you can also find custom CSL styles in my shop or request a tailer-made style. This flexibility is particularly valuable if you have special requirements that are not covered by the standard citation styles.

Summary

Choosing the right citation style is a fundamental component of academic integrity and reflects the precision and reliability of academic work. This article has provided a broad overview of the different citation styles, explained their importance and how tools such as Zotero and Mendeley can simplify the handling of literature citations. Of particular note are the individual requirements that can be served by the variety of citation styles available and the ability to customise them in reference management software. This emphasises the need to choose a style that not only meets academic requirements but also suits personal preferences.

Furthermore, it is important to recognise that despite the extensive range of citation styles available, it may not be possible to cover every specific need. Therefore, we offer a special service to create a customised citation style that is individually tailored to your needs. If you require such a customised citation style, we invite you to take advantage of our bespoke style creation service. This ensures not only the consistency and accuracy of your academic work, but also its compliance with specific guidelines and policies.

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