What is a "bibliography"?

A bibliography is defined as a list of books, articles, and other sources that have been referenced or consulted in the preparation of a scholarly work, such as a research paper or academic article. This list provides readers with information on the sources used by the author, allowing them to locate the original materials for further reading or verification of the information presented. A well-constructed bibliography not only gives credit to the original authors and works but also enhances the credibility of the work by showing the depth of research that has gone into the study.

Unlike personal opinions, which do not offer verifiable information, or collections of irrelevant titles that fail to contribute to the subject matter, a bibliography serves a vital academic purpose by focusing specifically on relevant sources that support the author's arguments and conclusions. Additionally, while a catalog of authors by nationality might provide information about writers, it does not fulfill the function of enumerating sources that informed a particular scholarly effort.