Bibliography:
* Includes all sources you consulted, whether or not you cited them directly in the text.
* Typically used in the humanities, especially for longer research papers.
* May use a more comprehensive format, including annotations.
Works Cited:
* Only includes sources you actually cited in your text.
* Typically used in other academic disciplines, especially for shorter research papers.
* Follows a more standardized format, usually MLA, APA, or Chicago style.
In practice:
* Most instructors and journals will specify which type of list they prefer.
* If you're unsure, it's best to ask your instructor or editor.
* If you are simply listing the sources you used, both terms can be used interchangeably.
Key takeaway: Both bibliography and works cited are lists of sources used in a research paper, and the specific term used often depends on the discipline or the specific instructions of the assignment.