Steps To Creating A Tentative Bibliography

Bibliography is the list of sources cited in a project. It is an important part of every academic paper as it allows the reader to find the sources used to back up the ideas and arguments presented. A working or tentative bibliography lists sources that a researcher may use in a paper. This list can change over time as the research continues. This article will explain how to create a tentative Bibliography.

Step 1: Determining the scope of your project

First, determine the scope and purpose of the project. This step involves identifying a topic, a research question or addressing a problem and a few key concepts to explore in the paper. This step helps to narrow down the sources to be used and will ensure that the bibliography relates to the project.

Step 2: Identify possible sources

After determining the scope of the research project, it is time to identify possible sources. You can use a variety of sources in your research, such as books, articles, web pages, and other publications. For thorough research, it's important to have a range of sources.

It is important to take into account the reliability and credibility of the source when identifying possible sources. Blogs or opinion pieces are not generally regarded as credible sources. Consider the source's relevance to your research project. Avoid using sources that have become outdated or are not relevant to your topic.

Step 3: Evaluate sources

Once sources are identified, they must be evaluated. It involves reading and evaluating the sources to determine their relevance, reliability, and credibility. The key points should be noted and cited, including author, title date of publication, page numbers, etc.

Step 4: Organize sources

After evaluating the sources, it's important to group them logically and in an easy-to follow manner. You can organize your sources by grouping them together according to a theme or topic. This can be used to find gaps in research and ensure a comprehensive bibliography. Grouping sources by type is another way to organize them.

Step 5: Create a preliminary bibliography

Compiling the sources in a list is the final step to creating a preliminary bibliography. The list needs to include the source information, including the author's name, publication dates, and page numbers. The list must be formatted in accordance with the appropriate citation styles, such as Chicago, MLA or APA.

Remember that the bibliography may change as research advances. The research process may lead to the addition of new sources or the removal of old sources. It's also important to keep on evaluating the sources to make sure that they remain relevant and up to date.

It is important to create a preliminary bibliography as part of the research process. Researchers can identify possible sources, evaluate the relevance and credibility of those sources, and then organize them logically and easily. These steps allow researchers to build a comprehensive, reliable bibliography for their academic papers.