Different Referencing Styles: APA, MLA, Harvard, MHRA

Have you ever submitted a paper and it got rejected because you used the wrong referencing style? We know it’s quite frustrating. Its important to know that sourcing a reference in your research paper is not a formality. But in practice, it is a way of giving credit to the person for their contributions in your field of study.

Not only this, but in the context of academic writing, citing a reference shows that your work can be trusted by other people. Proper citations will also help the reader to verify the details of the source of information you are providing via your writing. Also in academia, new knowledge is built on preceding work. Hence, there are different types of referencing style conventions you can use while writing an academic paper. These approaches are of three types: 

• Author-date format, e.g. APA style.
• Numeric Referencing system, e.g. Vancouver.
• Notes and bibliography pattern, e.g. MHRA

Remember, each referencing style has further different versions based on the discipline. For example, APA is an author-date system but it is common in the sciences and psychology. If you are thinking about what style you should be using, this blog is for you. Here you can learn what format of citations in the text is correct for you.

What Are Referencing Styles?

Referencing styles are conventions we can use for acknowledging sources used in research. Some examples of them include APA and MLA style. Such formats are rules for citing reference list at the end and in the body of the text. The styles of referencing can also be used to format footnotes given at the end of your document. Using citations in your assignments and papers makes your text original and trustworthy.

Two Types of Referencing Styles: Parenthetical vs. Notes-Based

There are two main types of referring systems: parenthetical citation and notes-based endnote citation. Both fulfill the same requirements for providing citations, though in different ways.

Parenthetical Citation Style

While reading any journal article, you might have noticed some last names and year mentioned inside round brackets. This type of format is called a parenthetical referencing format. This is used to cite references in the middle and at the end of the text. These inline citation styles can include any reference cited in the apex, such as APA, MLA or Harvard referencing style.

Inline citations generally include the name of the author and the year of publication. All of the information usually comes in brackets., You can also mention page numbers if relevant. Where the reader does not need to consult footnotes for page information, as used in the social sciences and some humanities, these styles of inline citation are preferred.

Notes-Based Citation Styles

These are documentary-note styles. Here we use footnotes or endnotes to cite sources in the end of sentences. Here we make use of notes, which are indicated in the form of a superscript number in the text for directing the reader to a more detailed citation either at the end of the text (endnote) or the page (footnote). A separate bibliography or reference list is also typically included. HRA and OSCOLA, for example, note–based styles, are accompanied by footnotes or endnotes.

These styles are subordinate to the main text and associated with numbered notes placed at the footer of the page or at the end of the manuscript. If you are a student of history or law, and thinking about what referencing style should I use, the Note-based style is the format you should follow. This style is suitable for long citations because it doesnot disrupt the natural flow of the text.

Why is Using Different Referencing Styles Important?

Every student’s university life involves studying different types of subjects, and each one has its specific referencing style for citation to be used. Apart from the course, every university has its own guidelines for using specific types of referencing styles in academic submissions. Also, it is important to cite your sources of research using the right referencing style. This will help you maintain authenticity in your article.

Avoid Plagiarism:

Citations make sure that the author of something you wrote in your content gets credited for it. This will remove any instances of plagiarism from YOUR text.

Enhancing Readability:

Using different referencing styles keeps your writing easy to read. Instead of stuffing your work with long details on resources, you can simply use in-text citations or footnotes. This lets readers check the source without breaking their reading flow.

Establishing Credibility:

The right types of referencing shows you’ve done real research. It proves you’re not just sharing opinions. But you are backing up your claims with facts. Styles of referencing like APA, MLA, or Chicago formats allow the reader to understand what you are trying to say. This is because they know you’ve credible information to support claims.

Different Styles of Referencing with Examples

Let’s take a look how to use different referencing styles for your assignments:

1. APA (American Psychological Association)

It is a common format used in UK universities. Here we place the author’s last name and year of publication in brackets. It can be used for intext citations and bibliography references also. 

2. MLA Format (Modern Language Association)

MLA Referencing style mainly uses author names and date of publication. It is widely used in arts subjects.

3. Harvard

This is common in business and the sciences. There are many versions of the Harvard referencing style used in universities. It is similar to APA but allows slight variations depending on institutional guidelines.

4. MHRA (Modern Humanities Research Association)

Primarily used in arts and humanities, MHRA is based on footnotes for detailed citations to be added in the front of the text.

5. OSCOLA (Oxford University Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities)

We use this format for footnotes for citing cases, statutes, and legal journals.

6. Vancouver

Vancouver uses a numbering system in medical and scientific writing.

What tools can I use to link facts in my essay?

There are professional software programs like Zotero, EndNote, and Mendeley for formatting your in-text references in your document. You can also arrange them in alphabetical order in the bibliography. All of these are available in both free and paid editions. In many cases, most universities provide free access to these programs to their students.

How to Choose the Right Referencing Style

Which Referencing style is best for me? You must have this question in your mind! Here are the factors to consider before choosing a referencing style

• Academic Discipline
• Journal Requirements
• Academic Guidelines of the Institution

Difficulties & Common Challenges in Referencing

Not even experienced writers can deal with issues connected with the selection of the correct referencing style. Here are all the common mistakes to avoid.

Using the Wrong Types of Referencing

In academia, different referencing styles are used according to the course.

For example: 

• APA referencing is used for psychology and the sciences
• MLA is used in the field of social sciences and literature
• OSCOLA is used in law papers, etc

Mixing them up can confuse your reader and lower the credibility of your work. 

Not Following The Guidelines of the Journal or Institution

Some institutions or publications clearly mention which style of referencing to use. Ignoring those specific instructions can lead to unnecessary rejections of your paper.

Switching Between Styles Mid-Document

This is a major red flag. You must stick to one referencing style throughout your paper. Mixing APA in-text citations with MLA bibliography, for example, looks careless.

Assuming All Referencing Styles Are the Same

Each type of referencing style has its own rules for formatting. Students often skip these details and make mistakes while adding references to their documents.

Using Outdated Style Guides

Referencing formats get updated over time. Make sure you’re always utilizing the most recent style for citations, such APA 7th edition or MLA 9th edition.

Conclusion

You know, that if you add references in your text it becomes more credible? It reflects your knowledge in the topic. Correct referencing is proof that your opinion is not vague, but it is backed by accurate knowldge. But it is important to follow the correct style of referencing in our paper, thesis or dissertation based on your discipline. 

Answers To Top Queries

What format of citation is used in UK universities?
It is popular to use Harvard, APA, MLA, OSCOLA, and Vancouver for adding inline and bibliographic citatins. Each academic field has its preferred type of referencing, depending on the publication standards.

How do I know which style of referencing I should use for my subject?
Every course has its own preferred referencig style according to the university guidelines. For instance, law students use OSCOLA, science students use Vancouver, and social science assignments often follow APA. 

Can I mix different referencing styles in one text?

It is not recommended to add citatins in your text in two formats. You have to use one type of referencing style in your work.

What are the consequences of using the wrong referencing style in a research paper?

Not following the citation guidelines can have consequences for a student. For example, it can lead to a deduction of marks in assessments. In case of postgraduate and doctoral scholars, there can be rejection of papers in he academic journals. 

How can we use different types of referencing styles in our paper?

There are a number of ways to cite information in your academic work.

You can format every reference manually. In this case you will have to use accurate style inline and at the end.

Next, there are online websites like MyBib, Scribber, Grammarly, and CiteThisForMe, from which you can generate citations of the information you want to quote. You just need to paste the DOI number or the link of the source, and your reference will be generated in minutes. 

iii. There are open-source software like Mendley, EndNote, and Zotero for this purpose.