referencering

Referencering is the process of recognizing and recording the sources consulted in the preparation of a document. It serves to credit authors, support claims, allow readers to locate sources, and demonstrate scholarly rigor.

It typically includes two elements: in-text citations and a reference list or bibliography. In-text citations appear within the body of the text, while footnotes or endnotes may provide additional information or commentary. The reference list or bibliography at the end of the document provides full bibliographic details so readers can retrieve the sources.

There are many citation styles, including APA, MLA, Chicago, and Vancouver. Some use author-year citations; others employ numeric references. Reference management tools such as Zotero, EndNote, and Mendeley help collect, organize, and format bibliographic data. Digital identifiers like DOIs and URLs are commonly included to facilitate source access.

Best practices include gathering bibliographic details early, applying a chosen style consistently, and checking accuracy and completeness. It is important to avoid plagiarism and to ensure that all sources cited are listed. Mismatched citations or dead links undermine credibility and can hinder verification. Referencering is used across academic writing, journalism, and professional contexts to uphold integrity and enable readers to verify information.