Introduction
In one of my first posts Bibliographic software – a researcher’s dream, I wrote about the importance of using a bibliographic tool in the writing of your dissertation.
In this post, I simply wanted to draw your attention to a feature in this type of software that is perhaps easy to overlook.
The use of shorter titles in footnotes
In academic writing of any kind, the second occurrence of a reference in a footnote is typically shortened and replaces the longer footnote. For example:
Longer reference: F.F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text (Grand Rapids: W.B. Eerdmans, 1990), 33.
Shorter reference: Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles, 33
Letting your software do the work
Within your bibliographic record look for a field entitled, “Short Title” or something to that effect. This is where you would place a shorter title for each reference.
You can see the window below for my bibliographic software, Zotero. (One of these days I will do a review of this amazing (free) software. For now, check out the link to their site.)
Zotero window showing "short title"
Notice there is a longer “Title” at the top (for first time reference) and a shorter one farther below (for references after the first time).
Furthermore, if your word processor is connected to your bibliographic software, it will automatically format your footnote for this shorter reference.
Conclusion
That’s about all for now. Keep writing, and if you get distracted, don’t! 🙂
Please feel free to send me your comments or tips for how you leverage your bibliographic software.
Happy researching!
You know, I’m not writing a dissertation, but I keep reading these posts anyway. Thanks for bothering to post. I’m learning. To what end, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Dawn:
Thanks for reading. To what end? Another Dr. Harrell? It’s never too late!
BTW, are only really, really good friends invited to read your blog?
Peace,
Gustavo