What are the differences between various style guides?

What are the main differences between APA and MLA style guides?

APA (American Psychological Association) is commonly used in social sciences, while MLA (Modern Language Association) is often used in humanities. APA emphasizes the date of publication, while MLA focuses on the author and page number.

Can you explain how Chicago style differs from these two?

Chicago style offers two systems: Notes and Bibliography, which is preferred in humanities, and Author-Date, used in sciences. It provides more flexibility in citation formats compared to APA and MLA.

What about the Harvard referencing style?

Harvard style is similar to APA but emphasizes the author-date format. It's widely used in the UK and Australia, focusing on clarity and simplicity in citations.

Which style guide should I use for my research paper?

It depends on your field of study. If you're in social sciences, APA is a good choice. For humanities, consider MLA or Chicago. Always check your institution's requirements.