AutorJahr

AutorJahr is a bibliographic and citation approach that emphasizes in-text parenthetical citations consisting of the author's surname and the year of publication, with full bibliographic details provided in a reference list. The system is commonly used in humanities and social sciences within German-language scholarship and is closely related to the author-year family of styles such as Harvard.

History and scope

AutorJahr emerged from long-standing academic practices that prioritize immediate attribution through brief in-text notices and a complete bibliography. It is employed across journals, books, and institutional guidelines, with variations reflecting disciplinary and publisher requirements. The term “AutorJahr” also serves as a descriptive label for the general author-year method rather than a single official standard.

Key features

In-text citations typically present the surname and year, for example (Müller 2019) or (Müller and Schmidt 2010). Punctuation and the handling of multiple authors vary by guideline, with options including listing all authors, using a separator such as and/&, or applying et al. after a certain threshold. Direct quotations may include page numbers, e.g., (Müller 2019, p. 23). The reference list provides complete details: author(s), year, title, venue or publisher, and additional data such as volume, issue, pages, and identifiers (DOI/URL).

Comparison and usage

AutorJahr is often preferred for readability and quick source identification in the text, and it contrasts with numeric or footnote-heavy systems. Its exact rules are defined by style manuals or publication guidelines, which may differ by discipline, language, or journal. Users must consult the relevant guide to ensure consistency in formatting, punctuation, and sequencing.

See also

Harvard referencing, Chicago author-date, APA style, and German-language style guides.