Here's what it means in more detail:
* Shows the reader where the information came from. It allows the reader to verify the information and explore the subject further.
* Acknowledges the work of others. It gives credit to the researchers whose work was used in the paper.
* Demonstrates the author's knowledge of the field. A thorough literature cited section shows the author has done their research and understands the context of their work.
How is it different from a Bibliography?
While both lists sources, a bibliography can include any source that the author consulted, whether or not it was directly cited in the paper. A "Literature Cited" section only includes sources that were directly referenced in the paper.
What does it look like?
The "Literature Cited" section appears at the end of a scientific paper. It typically follows a specific format, such as APA or MLA, with the following information for each entry:
* Author(s)
* Year of publication
* Title of the article or book
* Journal or book title
* Volume and issue number (for journals)
* Page numbers
Example:
Smith, J. D., & Jones, A. B. (2023). The impact of climate change on plant diversity. *Journal of Ecology*, *100*, 123-134.
In short, "Literature Cited" is a crucial part of scientific writing, demonstrating the research behind the paper and allowing others to build upon it.