Citation and Difference Between MLA and APA

A citation identifies for the reader the original source for an idea,
information, or image that is referred to in a work.
In the body of a paper, the in-text citation acknowledges the source of information used.
At the end of a paper, the citations are compiled on a References or Works Cited list. A basic citation includes the author, title,
and publication information of the source.
Definitions of Citation :
"A “citation” is the way you tell your readers that certain material in your work came from another source"
(Marian University)

"Citations are a way of giving credit when certain material in your work came from another source"
(University of Washington)

The differences between MLA and APA are discussed here in detail:

Both MLA and APA use parenthetical citations to cite sources in the text. However, they include slightly different
information.Here are the key differences between MLAand APA.

1.MLA style can be understood as a means of documenting sources and formatting papers, in scholarly writing, developed by the
Modern Language Association. On the other hand, APA style is one of the styles of writing papers, publications, books, journals
etc. introduced by the American Psychological Association, which is mainly used in social sciences.

2.If we talk about sections, there are four main sections in APA format, i.e. title page, abstract, body paragraphs and references.
Conversely, the MLA format contains only two main sections which are – body paragraphs and work cited.

3.In MLA style, there is no particular title page, so the title is given on the first page, which is dissociated from the essay title by
adding a double space. In this style, at the first page, the header is given on the left side which shows the name of author,
instructor, course and the date, while the remaining pages have headers on the right side containing the last name of the author
and page number.On the other hand, in APA format, the title page contains the title, author’s name and name of the educational
entity. Further, all the pages contain header at the top of every page, including the title page, wherein on the right-side and the
left-side, the number of pages and paper’s title is shown respectively.

4.When the research paper follows MLA format, the in-text citations are shown in the author-page format, i.e. the last name of
the author and page number is mentioned, following the text cited. As against, in APA style, the author uses author-date format
for in-text citations, wherein the last name of the author along with the year of publication is mentioned in parenthesis, following
the text cited.

5.In both direct and indirect in-text citation, in MLA format you don’t need to mention the year, and a comma after the name of
the author and a p. before the page number, which is mandatory in the case of APA format.

6.The source page, i.e. the page in which we list out all the sources which have been referred, used, or cited during the writing, is
called references in case of APA format, whereas the same is known as works cited in MLA format.

7.At the time of citing the sources at the end of the document, in MLA style the author’s last name is spelt out and then the first
name is written. In contrast, in APA style, the authors last name is written, and the first name is reduced to initials.

8.In MLA style, the first letter of all the important words in the title are capitalized and the title is underlined. As against, in an
APA style, the first letter of title, subtitle and proper nouns, are capitalized and the title is written in Italics.
 Short Notes

Footnote:A footnote is a textual note or comment placed at the bottom of a page in a printed document or at the end of a section
or chapter in an electronic document. Footnotes are typically used to provide additional information, clarification, or references to
sources cited in the main text. They are commonly used in academic and scholarly writing to acknowledge the sources of
information, to expand on certain points, or to avoid cluttering the main text with extensive details.★In academic writing,
footnotes are often used to cite specific sources, provide background information, offer alternative explanations, or include
tangential but relevant details that enhance the reader's understanding. In some citation styles, such as the Chicago Manual of
Style, footnotes are the preferred method of citation, while other styles like APA (American Psychological Association) and
MLA (Modern Language Association) use in-text citations and a separate reference or works cited page.
Abstract:An abstract is a brief summary of a research article, thesis, review, conference proceeding, or any in-depth analysis of a
particular subject and is often used to help the reader quickly ascertain the paper's purpose.When used, an abstract always appears
at the beginning of a manuscript or typescript, acting as the point-of-entry for any given academic paper or patent application.
Abstracting and indexing services for various academic disciplines are aimed at compiling a body of literature for that particular
subject.★The terms précis or synopsis are used in some publications to refer to the same thing that other publications might call
an "abstract". In management reports, an executive summary usually contains more information (and often more sensitive
information) than the abstract does.
Hypothesis:A hypothesis is a proposed explanation or prediction for a specific phenomenon or problem. It is a tentative
statement that can be tested through observations, experimentation, or further investigation. Hypotheses are essential in the
scientific method and are used to guide research and make predictions about the outcomes of experiments or studies.★In
scientific research, a hypothesis typically follows a specific format: it states an educated guess about the relationship between
variables or the expected outcome of an experiment. A well-formulated hypothesis should be clear, specific, and testable, which
means that it can be supported or refuted by evidence gathered during the research process.★For example, let's say a researcher
wants to study the effect of sunlight exposure on plant growth. In its ancient usage, hypothesis referred to a summary of the plot
of a classical drama. The English word hypothesis comes from the ancient Greek word ὑπόθεσις hypothesis whose literal or
etymological sense is "putting or placing under" and hence in extended use has many other meanings including "supposition".
Review of literature :A literature review is an overview of the previously published works on a topic. The term can refer to a
full scholarly paper or a section of a scholarly work such as a book, or an article. Either way, a literature review is supposed to
provide the researcher/author and the audiences with a general image of the existing knowledge on the topic under question. A
good literature review can ensure that a proper research question has been asked and a proper theoretical framework and/or
research methodology have been chosen. To be precise, a literature review serves to situate the current study within the body of
the relevant literature and to provide context for the reader. In such case, the review usually precedes the methodology and results
sections of the work.★Producing a literature review is often a part of graduate and post-graduate student work, including in the
preparation of a thesis, dissertation, or a journal article. Literature reviews are also common in a l or prospectus (the document
that is approved before a student formally begins a dissertation or thesis).
Bibliography: The word bibliographia was used by Greek writers in the first three centuries CE to mean the copying of books
by hand. In the 12th century, the word started being used for "the intellectual activity of composing books." The 17th century
then saw the emergence of the modern meaning, that of description of books.Currently, the field of bibliography has expanded to
include studies that consider the book as a material object.Bibliography, in its systematic pursuit of understanding the past and
the present through written and printed documents, describes a way and means of extracting information from this material.
Bibliographers are interested in comparing versions of texts to each other rather than in interpreting their meaning or assessing
their significance.Bibliography is a specialized aspect of library science (or library and information science, LIS) and
documentation science. It was established by a Belgian, named Paul Otlet (1868–1944), who was the founder of the field of
documentation, as a branch of the information sciences, who wrote about "the science of bibliography."
 Difference Between Fundamental & Applied Research

Fundamental Research: The concept of "fundamental research" was established by National Security Decision Directive
189 (see Related Items Below). NSDD 189 defines fundamental research as:

"Basic and applied research in science and engineering where the resulting information is to be shared broadly within the
scientific community, as distinguished from proprietary research and from industrial development, design, production,
and product utilization, the results of which ordinarily are restricted for proprietary or national security reasons."

Aplied Research: Applied research is a type of scientific inquiry that focuses on developing practical solutions to
real-world problems. It involves the use of existing knowledge, theories, and techniques to address specific problems or
challenges in a particular field or industry.

Wikipedia says,

"Applied research is a method of problem solving and also practical in areas of science such as its presence in applied
psychology. Applied psychology uses human behavior to grab information to be able locate a main focus in an area that
can contribute to finding a resolution."

Differences Between Fundamental Research and Aplied Research

Fundamental and applied research are two primary types of research that serve different purposes and approaches. Here's a
step-by-step comparison of their key differences:

1. Purpose: Also known as basic or pure research, its primary objective is to expand the fundamental understanding of scientific
principles and phenomena.

This type of research seeks to address specific real-world problems and find practical solutions.

2. Focus: Focuses on gaining a deeper understanding of the underlying principles and mechanisms of a particular phenomenon
or natural process.

Concentrates on solving practical problems and finding immediate applications for scientific knowledge in various fields.

3. Nature of Findings: Generates theoretical knowledge and conceptual frameworks that contribute to the theoretical foundation
of a field.

Produces practical outcomes and actionable recommendations that can be implemented to address specific challenges or improve
existing systems.

4. Timeframe: Often a long-term endeavor, as it involves in-depth exploration and validation of theories.

Typically has shorter timelines, as it focuses on providing practical solutions in a more immediate manner.

5. Funding: May receive funding from academic institutions, government agencies, or private foundations with an interest in
advancing knowledge for its own sake.

Often funded by industry, government, or organizations seeking practical solutions to specific problems or improvements in their
products or processes.

6. Examples: Research on the behavior of subatomic particles in physics or the genetic basis of inherited traits in biology.

Developing new drug therapies, improving renewable energy sources, or optimizing transportation systems for efficiency.

In summary, fundamental research is driven by curiosity and aims to expand our theoretical understanding, while applied
research is goal-oriented and seeks to address practical issues and provide tangible solutions to real-world problems. Both types
of research are essential for advancing knowledge and driving innovation in various fields.