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2 years ago in Synopsis Format By Deeksha S

Should the PhD synopsis include a list of references or a bibliography?

I've cited key studies in the text of my synopsis. Do I still need to add a separate "References" section at the end, or are in-text citations enough for such a short document?

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By Trideep Das Answered 1 year ago

 Yes, a separate "References" or "Bibliography" section is mandatory. In-text citations alone are unprofessional and make verification impossible. However, this list must be highly selective—include only the 15-20 most pivotal sources you directly engage with to define the problem and methodology. Format it according to your department's preferred style (APA, IEEE, Chicago). This curated list serves a critical purpose: it shows the committee the foundational scholarship you're building upon and proves you can distinguish seminal works from peripheral ones. Omitting it suggests a lack of academic rigor. Keep it tight and relevant, placed at the end before any declarations. 

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