Rules for bibliographic citations


Definitions

  • Bibliographic citation is a summary of details on the work cited, or its part, allowing for its identification and search.
  • Reference to a bibliographic citation is an in-text reference to a bibliographic citation in a different part of the work.

Using works of others

When using works of other authors, it is necessary to properly differentiate them from your own text. Otherwise you present the text as your own, which is an unacceptable violation, especially when it comes to theses and dissertations. There are two ways to incorporate works of other authors into one´s own:

  • Quotation - the text used matches the source document word for word. Short quotations are enclosed within double quotation marks, long ones in an indented free-standing paragraph. The quotes are also often typed in italics.
  • Paraphrasing the original text - the author of the presented work puts the original text into his/her own words, while maintaining the meaning of the original statement. Paraphrases are typed in the same typeface as the rest of the text. In order to distinguish which part of the text is borrowed and which is your own, you must use other means (for example, by a reference to a citation at the end of the sentence or paragraph the author indicates that the sentence or paragraph was cited or paraphrased; when the paraphrase is more extensive, you can specify that at the beginning of a subchapter, for example: "This subchapter has been adopted from [1].").

Quotations are suitable for definitions, parts of laws, regulations or rules, or to discuss the opinions of other authors. Quotations are therefore not that frequent in technical texts. If there are no valid reasons for a quotation, use a paraphrase. Also, think about the scope of the quotation. Too many and too long quotations indicate that the thesis is of poor quality (usually finished in the last minute, and the quotations only serve to reach the minimum length required).

Basic principles of citation

Bibliographic citations are provided to make it clear to the reader what works the author used as a basis for his/her own, to familiarise the reader with a wider context (for example, so that a reader less knowledgeable than the author´s target audience could find more on what the author did not explain in his/her work) and also to comply with the terms of the Copyright Act (see Section 31). When citing, the following rules must be followed:

  • Cite all the sources you have used! If you fail to cite any of the sources, you are presenting someone else´s work as your own! Make notes of all the sources you have found since the very beginning of your work on the project. It is more difficult to look up all the sources once you are done.
  • Cite only the works that you actually used! Readers who actually know the works cited (or look them up) will soon realise that even though you use them as reference, you do not really know them.
  • Only cite primary sources! Only cite the works that you actually worked with physically (or on a screen). Otherwise you risk using a quotation with mistakes.
  • Cite precisely! You will make it easier for the readers to find the original source and avoid the suspicion that you intend to make the identification of the source difficult or impossible by providing an incomplete citation, so that the readers cannot check the scope of the quoted text.
When writing your text, pay special attention to these citation principles, as their violation means, for apparent reasons, far more serious consequences for the overall assessment than non-compliance with the formal requirements for bibliographic citations.

Citation standards

The standards for creating bibliographic citations and their reference in professional publications are governed by ČSN ISO 690: Information and documents - Rules of bibliographical references and citations of information sources of 2011. The standards are available at the FIT Library. There is a citation generating tool based on these standards, available at http://www.citace.com/ (in Czech, but simple to use - write ISBN, DOI or name and search it) and you can find a brief summary of the standards with citation examples on the same website [PDF in Czech].

Although the standards allow to place citations in professional publications in different ways (at the end of the text, at the end of the individual chapters, directly in the text, in the footnote, partly in the text and partly in the footnote), it is required for theses and dissertations at FIT BUT that the list of works cited is provided at the end of the work.

The reference to the citation is in the form of a serial number, under which the citation is listed in the Works Cited section at the end of the work. The serial number is stated in the text in square brackets.

Example: The SMTP protocol is specified in RFC 5321 [1].

Citations are in alphabetical order. Ordering of names containing letters with diacritics can be changed using the key element, the value of which can be set to a last name without diacritics. If a record does not have the author element, the citation is ordered to the beginning of the list, which is not ideal. In this case, we can change the ordering by setting the key element to a desirable value.

Example:

@Article{Cech:2020:Citace,
    author               = "Čech, Jan",
    key                  = "Cech",
    ...

If you quote the same publication several times in a row, you can use the term "Ibid." instead of repeating the entire reference, supplemented by a page number.

Using electronic sources

Finding high-quality sources to use as a basis for your work is essential. The quality of a classic printed work may be recognised quite easily. When working with electronic sources, examine their credibility and quality thoroughly. Always verify who the author of the material is, and evaluate the depth of the information provided (a number of electronic sources presents merely superficial and incomplete information, and therefore the authors copy eachother's mistakes) critically. Even if you find high-quality electronic sources, do not rely solely on those, and try to find a printed work as well.

Whenever you cite electronic sources, always state when the information was found and used as the entire website may not be available several days later. When using BibTex, this can be achieved by adding the following key: cited = "yyyy-mm-dd". You can use the @website (entire domain) or @webpage (a single page within the domain) record types to cite electronic sources. If you cite a magazine article or a paper from a conference, do not cite them as electronic sources and use @article instead.

Typesetting of citations

The template for BUT FIT theses and dissertations uses the BibTeX system to typeset citations.

Details in bibligraphic citations

The following text is taken from ČSN ISO 690 standard and condensed. Individual parts of a citation are separatedy by the dot symbol ".".
Each item in the cited document should be stated as it appears in the original cited document.
The usual order of items in a bibliographic citation is as follows:

  1. name(s) of the author(s)/creator, if they are available(s)
    • Persons or institutions responsible for creation of the contents should be stated as authors.
    • First names and other parts of names should follow after the last name, e.g.
      GORDON, D.
    If a cited source has multiple authors, list them (using the "and" separator), and if there are more than three authors, we do not list all of them and use "et al." (names followed by "and others") instead.
  2. title
    Title is typed in italics. A title too long can be cut short and missing words replaced with ... (three dots).
  3. type of medium
    A type of medium is a medium, where the cited material is available (e.g. [DVD]) as well as the form in which it is available (e.g. [Braille]). This information is stated in square brackets. [online] is used for online materials.
  4. edition
    Edition should be stated with symbols, e.g. "2nd ed., (re-edition)". If it is an updated version, it should be apparent from the citation, which version was used.
  5. place of publication, publisher, date of publication
    If the place of publication is not stated in the cited document, but is known, we state it in square brackets.
    A publisher should be a person or organisation that is the most emphasized in the cited document.
    Date of publication should always be stated. A year is sufficient for paper publications, however it is necessary to also state a month and a day for electronic sources.
  6. numbering within a unit, page or page range
    Citation should idenfity the specific part of a cited document, that is used for citation.
  7. title and volume in series, if they are available
  8. standard identifiers
    If a cited document has an international standard number (ISBN, ISSN, ...) or DOI, that serves as the unique identifier, it must be stated.
  9. availability, access or location of information The location of source should always be stated for electronic sources. Stated as: "Available at:" followed by URI or URL.
  10. additional general information

Examples of bibliographic citations

Items are color-coded depending on whether or not they are required or optional:
  • required element according to the standard
  • optional element according to the standard
  • required element for online information sources according to the standard
  • element that is not specified in the standard, but is available and optional within the template's bibliographic style
Required items are only stated if they exist.

BibTeX

The bibliography file contains records in the following form:
@Article{Doe:2020:Citace,
   author               = "Doe, John",
   title                = "How to cite",
   subtitle             = "Article citation",
   journal              = "Writing theses and dissertations",
   journalsubtitle      = "Formal aspects",
   howpublished         = "online",
   address              = "Brno",
   publisher            = "Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology",
   contributory         = "Translated by Jan NOVÁK",
   edition              = "1",
   version              = "version 1.0",
   month                = 2,
   year                 = "2020",
   revised              = "revised 12. 2. 2020",
   volume               = "4",
   number               = "24",
   pages                = "8--21",
   cited                = "2020-02-12",
   doi                  = "10.1000/BC1.0",
   issn                 = "1234-5678",
   note                 = "This is a made up citation",
   url                  = "https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz"
}

Article in a periodical literature - @Article

Record items

Element BibTeXu item Example
Author author Doe, John
Article title title How to cite
Article subtitle subtitle Article citation
Periodical literature title journal Writing theses and dissertations
Periodical literature subtitle journalsubtitle Formal aspects
Type of medium howpublished online
Edition edition 1
Version version version 1.0
Secondary author(s) contributory Translated by Jan NOVÁK
Place of publication address Brno
Publisher publisher Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology
Month month 2
Year year 2020
Volume volume 4
Number number 24
Pages pages 8--21
Revision revised revised 12. 2. 2020
Date of citation cited 2020-02-12
Series title series Guidelines for writing theses and dissertations
Number in series editionnumber 42
Digital object identifier doi 10.1000/BC1.0
Standard number issn 1234-5678
Notes note This is a made up citation
Availability url https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz

Bibliographic citation

Doe, J. How to cite: Article citation. Writing theses and dissertations: Formal aspects [online]. 1st ed., version 1.0. Translated by Jan NOVÁK. Brno: Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology. February 2020, vol. 4, no. 24, p. 8–21, revised 12. 2. 2020, [cit. 2020-02-12]. Guidelines for writing theses and dissertations, no. 42. DOI: 10.1000/BC1.0. ISSN 1234-5678. This is a made up citation. Available at: https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz.

Monographic publication - @Book, @Booklet (book, brochure)

Record items

Element BibTeX item Example
Author author John {von Doe}
Title title How to cite
Subtitle subtitle Monographic publication citation
Type of medium howpublished online
Edition edition 1
Secondary author(s) contributory Translated by Jan NOVÁK
Place of publication address Brno
Publisher publisher Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology
Month month 2
Year year 2020
Revision revised revised 12. 2. 2020
Date of citation cited 2020-02-12
Pages pages 220
Series title series Guidelines for writing theses and dissertations
Number in series editionnumber 2
Standard number isbn 01-234-5678-9
Notes note This is a made up citation
Availability url https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz

Bibliographic citation

von Doe, J. How to cite: Monographic publication citation [online]. 1st ed. Translated by Jan NOVÁK. Brno: Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology, february 2020, revised 12. 2. 2020 [cit. 2020-02-12]. 220 p. Guidelines for writing theses and dissertations, no. 2. ISBN 01-234-5678-9. This is a made up citation. Available at: https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz.

Conference proceedings - @Proceedings

Record items

Element BibTeX item Example
Author* author Čechmánek, Jan
Editor* editor Čechmánek, Jan
Title title How to cite
Subtitle subtitle Conference proceedings citation
Type of medium howpublished online
Editon edition 1
Secondary author(s) contributory Translated by Jan NOVÁK
Place of publication address Brno
Publisher publisher Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology
Month month 2
Year year 2020
Volume volume 4
Number number 24
Pages pages 8--21
Revision revised revised 12. 2. 2020
Date of citation cited 2020-02-12
Series title series Guidelines for writing theses and dissertations
Number in series editionnumber 2
Digital object identifier doi 10.1000/BC1.0
Standard number isbn or issn 01-234-5678-9
Notes note This is a made up citation
Availability url https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz
*Either author or editor is stated.

Bibliographic citation

Čechmánek, J. How to cite: Conference proceedings citation [online]. 1st ed. Translated by Jan NOVÁK. Brno: Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology, february 2020, p. 8–21, revised 12. 2. 2020 [cit. 2020-02-12]. Guidelines for writing theses and dissertations, no. 2. DOI: 10.1000/BC1.0. ISBN 01-234-5678-9. This is a made up citation. Available at: https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz.

Conference proceedings entry or book chapter - @InProceedings, @InCollection, @Conference, @InBook

Record items

Element BibTeX item Example
Author author Doe, John
Entry title title How to cite
Entry subtitle subtitle Article citation
Parent document author editor or organisation Smith, Peter
Parent document title booktitle Conference proceedings on writing theses and dissertations
Parent document subtitle booksubtitle Formal aspects
Type of medium howpublished online
Edition edition 1
Version version version 1.0
Parent document secondary author(s) contributory Translated by Jan NOVÁK
Place of publication address Brno
Publisher publisher Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology
Month month 2
Year year 2020
Volume volume 4
Number number 24
Chapter chapter 5
Pages pages 8--21
Revision revised revised 12. 2. 2020
Date of citation cited 2020-02-12
Series title series Guidelines for writing theses and dissertations
Number in series editionnumber 2
Standard number isbn or issn 1234-5678
Notes note This is a made up citation
Availability url https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz

Bibliographic citation

Doe, J. How to cite: Article citation. In: Smith, P., ed. Conference proceedings on writing theses and dissertations: Formal aspects [online]. 1st ed., version 1.0. Translated by Jan NOVÁK. Brno: Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology, february 2020, vol. 4, num. 24, ch. 5, p. 8–21, revised 12. 2. 2020 [cit. 2020-02-12]. Guidelines for writing theses and dissertations, no. 2. ISSN 1234-5678. This is a made up citation. Available at: https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz.

Manual, documentation, technical report and unpublished materials - @Manual, @TechReport, @Unpublished

Record items

Element BibTeX item Example
Author(person or organisation) author {Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology}
Title title Manual for writing theses and dissertations
Subtitle subtitle Manual citation
Type of medium howpublished online
Document type type User manual
Document number number 3
Edition edition 1
Secondary author(s) contributory Edited by Jan NOVÁK
Place of publication address Brno
Organisation or institution organization or institution Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology
Month month 2
Year year 2020
Revision revised revised 12. 2. 2020
Date of citation cited 2020-02-12
Pages pages 220
Notes note This is a made up citation
Availability url https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz

Bibliographic citation

Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology. Manual for writing theses and dissertations: Manual citation [online]. User manual 3, 1st ed. Edited by Jan NOVÁK. Brno: Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology, february 2020, revised 12. 2. 2020 [cit. 2020-02-12]. 220 p. This is a made up citation. Available at: https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz.

Academic work - @BachelorsThesis, @MastersThesis, @PhdThesis, @Thesis

Record items

Element BibTeX item Example
Author author Novák, Jan
Title title BiBTeX style for ČSN ISO 690 and ČSN ISO 690-2
Subtitle subtitle
Type of medium howpublished online
Document type type Dissertation
Place of publication address or location Brno, CZ
School school Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology
Year year 2020
Date of citation cited 2020-02-12
Pages pages 80
Appendices inserts 20
Standard number isbn 01-234-5678-9
Supervisor supervisor Dytrych, Jaroslav
Notes note This is a made up citation
Availability url https://www.fit.vut.cz/study/theses

Bibliographic citation

Novák, J. BiBTeX style for ČSN ISO 690 and ČSN ISO 690-2 [online]. Brno, CZ, 2020. [cit. 2020-02-12]. 80 p., 20. p. apps. Disseration. Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology. ISBN 01-2345-678-9. Supervisor Dytrych, J. This is a made up citation. Available at: https://www.fit.vut.cz/study/theses.

Web page - @Webpage

Record items

Element BibTeX item Example
Author author Nováková, Jana
Page title secondarytitle Post citation
Site title title Web on writing theses and dissertations
Site subtitle subtitle
Type of medium howpublished online
Secondary author(s) contributory Edited by Jan NOVÁK
Version version version 1.0
Place of publication address Brno
Publisher publisher Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology
Day day 12
Month month 2
Year year 2020
Time of publication time 14:00
Revision revised revised 12. 2. 2020
Date of citation cited 2020-02-12
Digital object identifier doi 10.1000/BC1.0
Standard number issn 1234-5678
Notes note This is a made up citation
Availability url https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz
Path path Home; Art; The Art of Citation

Bibliographic citation

Nováková, J. Post citation. Web on writing theses and dissertations [online]. Edited by Jan NOVÁK. version 1.0. Brno: Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology, february 2nd 1998 14:10. revised 12. 2. 2020 [cit. 2020-02-12]. DOI: 10.1000/BC1.0. ISSN 1234-5678. This is a made up citation. Available at: https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz. Path: Home; Art; The Art of Citation.

Web site - @Website

Record items

Element BibTeX item Example
Author (person or organisation) author Nováková, Jana
Site title title Web on writing theses and dissertations
Site subtitle subtitle
Type of medium howpublished online
Secondary author(s) contributory Edited by Jan NOVÁK
Version version version 1.0
Place of publication address Brno
Publisher publisher Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology
Day day 12
Month month 2
Year year 2020
Time of publication time 14:00
Revision revised revised 12. 2. 2020
Date of citation cited 2020-02-12
Digital object identifier doi 10.1000/BC1.0
Standard number issn 1234-5678
Notes note This is a made up citation
Availability url https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz

Bibliographic citation

Nováková, J. Web on writing theses and dissertations [online]. Edited by Jan NOVÁK. version 1.0. Brno: Brno University of Technology, Faculty of information technology, february 2nd 1998 14:10. revised 12. 2. 2020 [cit. 2020-02-12]. DOI: 10.1000/BC1.0. ISSN 1234-5678. This is a made up citation. Available at: https://merlin.fit.vutbr.cz.
Created by: Jaroslav Dytrych, Petr Hanáček, Aneta Helešicová, Bohuslav Křena, Petr Peringer, Petr Přikryl, Zdena Rábová and Petr Veigend
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