When writing a research report, there are three commonly employed methods for citing sources:
1. In-text citations: These involve including brief references within the body of the report whenever information is directly quoted, paraphrased, or summarized from a particular source. In-text citations generally consist of the author's name and the publication year, such as (Author, Year).
2. Footnotes or Endnotes: Some research reports utilize footnotes or endnotes to provide additional information or citations. These notes are placed at the bottom of the page (footnotes) or at the end of the document (endnotes) and contain detailed citations for specific sources.
3. Bibliography or References page: At the conclusion of a research report, a bibliography or references page is included. This list provides comprehensive citations for all the sources referenced in the report. The format and style of the citations vary depending on the citation style guide, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago style, that is specified by the academic institution or instructor.