Referencing revisited: A Comparative Look at MLA, APA and IS:IDBR

Abstract

This paper compares the fundamental characteristics, in-text referencing format, and reference formatting of three commonly utilized citation styles in scholarly discourse: MLA, APA, and IS:IDBR. The review encompasses literature on citation styles, bibliographic references, citation generation platforms, scholarly articles, and manuals of MLA, APA, and IS:IDBR. These sources serve as the theoretical foundation aligned with the research objectives. The study confines its scope to the comparative analysis of three citation styles, focusing solely on their features, in-text formats, and reference formats, excluding other aspects. Nonetheless, the findings are poised to assist researchers and academics in selecting the most suitable citation style for their research endeavours. Upon examination, the study reveals that MLA is perceived as more user-friendly for students than APA, while IS:IDBR emerges as a comprehensive citation style offering a versatile approach. This study derives insights from original research data extracted and synthesized from a comprehensive literature review.