What makes a good bibliography?

Any researcher would get an impression that length is a correct measure of a good bibliography as it reflects upon the number of sources the researcher worked on. This is undoubtedly true but not to complete extent. Bibliography should be selectively focussed which means the researcher must not try to include all the sources that have been written about the subject but should focus on the author’s informed judgement of the significance and suitability of sources.

The Reputation of a Journal

One important criterion to make the bibliography rich is the reputation of journal from which an article is published. Though, this is a useful indicator but it is also true that pertaining to the researcher’s research may be found in less reputed journals too. But surely the advice of the supervisor is to be sought before any source is to be picked up.

Secondary Referencing

Another important feature of a good bibliography is secondary referencing. It means when the researcher refers to an article or book which has been cited in any other source and the researcher cannot access the original article. However there should not be too much dependence as the researcher is depending upon the interpretation of the original article offered by the writers of secondary source.

Relationship of Entries

Other distinguishable feature of a good bibliography is it comes from the relationship between the entries and with the way they are used in the main content.

Purpose of a Good Bibliography

The main purpose of bibliography is to make the readers understand the habitus that the researcher claims to reside in. This is about comprehending the disposition and beliefs of the researcher in combination with the restrains associated with the researcher’s situation.

Category : Research , Literature
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