Bibliography vs. Reference List
Bibliography and reference-list terminology depends on the citation system. Chicago, for example, uses “reference list” with author-date citations and “bibliography” with notes-bibliography, and a bibliography may include works beyond those cited directly.
Do not treat “bibliography” and “reference list” as universally interchangeable labels: the governing citation style determines what the list is called and which sources it contains.
Key details
Important caveats
Style Boundary
Do not transfer Chicago terminology automatically to APA, MLA, a publisher template or an institutional guide; follow the authority governing the document.
Further guidance
Citation System
Use the term required by the citation system: in Chicago, author-date documentation uses a reference list, while notes-bibliography uses a bibliography.
Practical Application
Use the label and inclusion rule required by the governing citation system. In Chicago, for example, author-date uses a reference list while notes-bibliography uses a bibliography; other styles use their own terminology.
Reader Check
Which citation system governs the document, and does its final source list contain only cited works or may it include additional consulted works?
Scope
Check whether the required list contains only works cited or may include additional consulted works; that scope is style-dependent rather than universal.
Worked Example
Do not rename an APA “References” section “Bibliography” merely because both contain source entries; preserve the terminology of the required style.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Documentation FAQ: bibliography and reference list — CMOS (opens in a new tab)The Chicago Manual of Style · Chicago terminology and scope for bibliographies versus reference lists