MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SINGAPORE

Guiding Notes for

H2 China Studies
in English
Independent Study

COPYRIGHT © 2007
MOE, SINGAPORE

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED,

TRANSCRIBED, OR USED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS – GRAPHIC, ELECTRONIC, OR
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PERMISSION OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SINGAPORE.

1
CONTENT PAGE

A. WHAT IS CHINA STUDIES IN ENGLISH (CSE) INDEPENDENT STUDY? 3

B. WHY INDEPENDENT STUDY FOR CSE? 3

C. KEY STAGES AT A GLANCE 4

D. ELABORATION OF STAGES 6

E. GUIDANCE FROM YOUR CSE TUTORS 16

APPENDIX A – INDEPENDENT STUDY PROPOSAL FORM 18

APPENDIX B – DECLARATION AND SUBMISSION FORM 20
APPENDIX C – RECORD OF ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE 21

HANDOUT 1: CHECKLIST FOR REFINING YOUR INDEPENDENT STUDY 22

HANDOUT 2: WRITING FOOTNOTES 24
HANDOUT 3: WRITING THE BIBLIOGRAPHY 26

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A. WHAT IS CHINA STUDIES IN ENGLISH (CSE) INDEPENDENT STUDY?

The CSE Independent Study (IS) is a 2000-2500 word research-based essay

that candidates are required to undertake as part of H2 CSE. Through the IS,
candidates will explore in greater depth key issues related to China’s
development.

The IS should analyze issues in the context of China’s contemporary

developments e.g. socio-cultural, political and economic issues confronting
China’s present or future development.

In line with the interdisciplinary nature of CSE, the IS encourages students to

explore issues from multiple perspectives.

B. WHY INDEPENDENT STUDY FOR CSE ?

CSE is the first ‘A’ level Humanities subject with an independent research
component that would enrich students’ learning experience by increasing their
level of engagement with the subject and their sense of ownership over what
they have learnt.

CSE covers a broad scope of socio-cultural, political and economic issues

related to China’s contemporary developments. The IS would enable students to
explore, deepen and broaden their understanding of a topic they had developed
an interest for as a result of what they have learnt during CSE lessons.

CSE also aims to develop students’ independent research and writing skills. In
doing the IS, students embark on a 6 month-long journey during which they
would identify a topic suitable for an in-depth study, carry out research on
primary and secondary sources, synthesise ideas and construct effective
arguments.

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 C. KEY STAGES AT A GLANCE

FIGURE 1: WHAT ARE THE KEY STAGES FOR DEVELOPING

YOUR INDEPENDENT STUDY?

Stage 1: Proposal Stage

Stage 2:
HOW TO CRAFT AN Writing Stage
INDEPENDENT STUDY
RESEARCH PROPOSAL? HOW TO WRITE THE Stage 3: Submission Stage
INDEPENDENT STUDY ESSAY?
Selecting a research topic HOW TO SUBMIT THE
Conducting the research INDEPENDENT STUDY?
Framing the Independent Study
Crafting the research question
Writing the Independent Study
Drafting the research proposal
Refining the Independent Study Filling in the Declaration and
Filling in the Research Proposal
Submission Forms
Form

FIGURE 2: WHAT FORMS OF GUIDANCE CAN BE

PROVIDED BY YOUR SUPERVISING TUTOR?

The Proposal Stage The Writing Stage

The supervisor can guide student in the The supervisor will:

following areas:
ƒ Schedule ONE conference with each
ƒ Appropriateness of research topic; student, at the latest by the 4th month of
ƒ Formulation of research proposal; writing; and
ƒ Interpretation of examiner’s comments, if ƒ Arrange a 2nd conference ONLY at the
necessary; student’s request or approval.
ƒ Work schedule; nd
ƒ Research ethics; (NB: CSE tutors can arrange for a 2
ƒ Research skills and techniques; conference if they deem it to be necessary
ƒ Suitability of selected BUT the student must consent to the
resources/references; conference. See Section F, point 1.3)
ƒ How student’s performance will be
assessed; and
ƒ Highlight the declaration requirement.

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 FIGURE 3: WHAT ARE THE KEY DATES YOU SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF?

Time Frame Activity Remarks

Wk 7 Submission of IS proposal to The candidate and teacher
(Mid Feb) Singapore Examinations and must sign and date the
Assessment Board (SEAB) proposal.
(Appendix A)

Wk 11 Receipt of outcome of IS
(Mid Mar) proposal from SEAB

Wk 15 Submission of 2nd IS proposal to Teachers to guide in

(End of Mar) SEAB, if 1st IS proposal is interpreting comments on
rejected rejected proposals.

Wk 17 Receipt of outcome of 2nd IS Teachers to schedule the

(End of Apr) proposal from SEAB recommended conference by
the 4th month of writing.
Wk 11 – Wk 36 Writing of IS essay Teachers SHOULD NOT
(Mid Mar – Mid Sep) provide any written feedback.

Students are encouraged to

take notes of the discussion.

Wk 37 Submission of IS essays to Teachers and students to

(Mid Sep) SEAB sign all necessary forms.

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D. ELABORATION OF STAGES

STAGE 1: HOW TO CRAFT AN INDEPENDENT STUDY (IS) PROPOSAL?

1.1 SELECTING A TOPIC AND CONDUCTING THE RESEARCH

You are encouraged to consider two to three possible topics of interest for the IS
that are related to the syllabus content. You should explore these topics in order
to identify a topic of study that is focused and meaningful for the Independent
Study.

This exploration would involve preliminary research based on a survey of the

major works and schools of thought on the topic. This survey should cover a
broad range of resources including books, journal articles and online materials so
that you have a general understanding of the nature of the topic.

Below are some questions you could ask when selecting a topic:

a. Will the topic enrich my understanding of an aspect(s) of contemporary

development(s) in/of China?
b. Does the topic have a clear analytical focus?
c. Will the topic yield interesting and provocative questions to explore?
d. Is there scope for an interdisciplinary approach in my study?
e. Is there scope for an in-depth study?

f. Will I be able to provide strong reasons for my choice?

g. Will my investigation of the topic contribute towards enhancing the current
body of knowledge?
h. Are there adequate resources that demonstrate the existing state of
knowledge about the research topic? Are there both primary and
secondary sources?
i. Will I be able to complete the IS in the stipulated period?

1.2 CRAFTING THE QUESTION

The IS topic should be presented as a question which has a clear, analytical

focus that is directly linked to issues affecting contemporary China.

You should be able to provide substantiated reasons for your choice of topic.
In your research proposal, you would be required to defend the rationale of
your choice by stating your reasons. These reasons should highlight how your
IS would enhance understanding of an aspect(s) of China’s contemporary
development(s).

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 The question should be broad and open-ended enough so that you can adopt
an interdisciplinary approach and draw on multiple perspectives to construct
and sustain your arguments.

As you craft your question, you should be very aware of the objectives and
scope of your IS, as well as the potential limitations of your Study which you
may have surfaced during the research process. You should thus have a
general idea of the key issues your Study would address in the essay as well
as the potential problems you may face in addressing them. This would
enable you to provide a brief synopsis of your IS in your Research Proposal.

1.3 FILLING IN THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORM

After you have conducted the research and crafted your research question, you
would be required to fill in the following sections of the Independent Study
Proposal Form succinctly. The proposal should not exceed 500 words.
ƒ Research Topic
ƒ Rationale for Choice of Topic
ƒ Proposed Title of Research Topic
ƒ Synopsis of Independent Study
ƒ Literature Review
ƒ Methodology

Refer to Section 1.1

• The rationale relates to the reasons

behind the choice of topic.
• Providing the rationale is different from
providing the objectives of the
research topic, which is to focus on the
aims of the Study.
• Refer to Section 1.1

• The proposed title must be crafted as

a question.
• The title is the key question that would
guide the whole discussion presented
in the Study.
• Refer to Section 1.2

• The synopsis is a concise write-up of

the study.
• It carries the aims of the study and
outlines key ideas that would lead the
discussion of the study. The synopsis
also highlights the possible challenges
that could be faced when researching
and writing the paper.
• Refer to Section 1.2
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 • A Literature Review is a write-up on
the current state of research and
knowledge on the area of study.
• The Literature Review should not only
describe the available sources, it should
also evaluate the relevance of these
sources to the research topic, identify the
different perspectives upheld and the
reasons for the choice of resources.

• Methodology refers to the research

approach that would be used to write the
study.
• There are two main methodologies:
Quantitative – A quantitative
approach relates to a study where the
outcome is measured. For quantitative
research, a hypothesis or theory is
usually used to spark off further
investigation on a topic, in which the
conclusion is based on empirical
findings, that is, data that would prove
the argument.

Qualitative – A qualitative approach

relates to a study where the outcome
is not measured by data. Rather
qualitative research is about drawing
out the “essence” of something, which
usually involves reading a wide range
of sources that leads to an
investigation on the “why” and “how”
behind an issue.

• The researcher must be able to

explain the selected approach. This
approach can be a combination of the
qualitative and quantitative
methodologies.

A copy of the Research Proposal Form can be found at Appendix A

1.4 SUBMITTING THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORM AND APPROVAL PROCESS

Students must submit the soft copy of their research proposal (Appendix Form A)
to SEAB by a specified date in Term 1 of the second year of study. Deadlines for
submission would be specified by SEAB in a circular sent to schools each year.

If the proposal is acceptable as it stands, the Principal Examiner would approve it

without comments.

If the Principal Examiner rejects the proposal, or indicates that it needs to be

revised before it can be approved, the feedback would be sent accordingly.

If you have been advised by the Principal Examiner to make a re-submission of

the amended proposal for approval, or to submit a second proposal, you must do
so by the date specified by SEAB.

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STAGE 2: HOW TO WRITE AN INDEPENDENT STUDY?

2.1 RESEARCH

As you embark on the writing of your IS, research takes on a different nature.
The consolidation of resources that would support your analysis and arguments
would be an ongoing process. As you write your essay, you should keep a
constant look out for sources with new perspectives. You would probably need to
constantly refine your essay by incorporating these perspectives.

Some topics may be very contemporary in nature i.e. new and significant
developments are still unfolding during the research process. This is to be
expected given the contemporary nature of the subject. You should embrace the
challenge of dynamic topics that require constant synthesis of new information
and ideas. However, you could indicate the date of validity of information sources
you referred to in your IS.

GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Stated below are areas to note when evaluating sources of information. They are
adapted from the following sources:

• Olin and Uris Libraries (University of Cornell) “Critically Analyzing

Information Sources” at
http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill26.htm

• The Library of University of California Berkeley “Critical Evaluation of

Resources” at http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/instruct/guides/Evaluation.html

• The Sheridan Libraries (John Hopkins Unversity) “Evaluating Information

found on the Internet” at
http://www.library.jhu.edu/researchhelp/general/evaluating/

a. AUTHORSHIP

• What are the author’s credentials? (Institutional affiliations, educational

background, past writings or experience?)

• Have you heard or seen the author’s name cited by other sources?
Reputable scholars are often cited by fellow researchers. You may
need to consult other resources such as online biographical
information to get background information on the author.

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 • If the source is an online one, authorship can be also established by
noting if the source is linked to other prominent works online.

b. DATE OF PUBLICATION AND PUBLISHER

• When was the source published?

• Is the source current enough for your topic? For books, it is important
to ensure that you have the latest edition available. For online sources
that do not indicate the publication date, you may want to refer to the
‘last updated’ date.

c. SCOPE

• Does the work update other sources with new evidence (primary
research) or provide an overview (secondary research)?

• Does it focus on a range of issues related to your topic or on one

aspect of your topic?

• Is the material primary or secondary? Primary sources are produced

by person(s) or group(s) present at time of the event(s) and are the
raw materials of the research process. Secondary sources are based
on primary sources.

d. INTENDED AUDIENCE

• What audience is the author addressing? Is it a specialised or general

audience?

• Is the resource too technical or complex for your needs?

e. ARGUMENTS AND POINT OF VIEW

• Is the information presented fact, opinion or propaganda?

• Is the information valid and well substantiated by evidence?

• How far are the arguments presented in line with other works on the
same topic? The more different the author presents his/her arguments
from others, the more carefully and critically you should analyze his/her
work.

• Is the author’s point of view balanced? What factors influence the way
he/she interpret his/her evidence and present his/her arguments?
Useful areas to look into here include the sources of information the

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 author refers to, agendas that the author may be defending and the
aims of the organization(s) the author is representing.

e. ACCURACY AND VERIFIABILITY

• Does the work contain a bibliography listing all sources used? Can
these sources be found for verification purposes?

• Is the work based on a methodology that is appropriate to the topic and

clearly explained? Does the author demonstrate competence in terms
of theories, schools of thought or techniques usually regarded as
appropriate for the subject/topic concerned?

• If you have found your information using an Internet search, do

remember that search engines have different ways of ordering the way
it returns requested information. Some arrange the information
according to relevance, others according to popularity while some ‘sell’
top space to advertisers.

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2.2 FRAMING THE INDEPENDENT STUDY

An effective essay outline helps you organise your ideas and guide your writing
process. Look at your outline to see if all necessary issues and main points have
been addressed and whether all key arguments can be supported by relevant
evidence. An outline which ensures that discussion moves along logically would
enhance the coherence of the final IS.

A suggested structure for planning and organising the IS is provided below:

FIGURE 4: STRUCTURE FOR INDEPENDENT STUDY

Structure of the Description

Research Paper

Research Question ƒ Identify the research topic and craft the research question
ƒ Explain the rationale for the choice of the research question
ƒ Explain the rationale for the approach/method of inquiry
adopted to conduct the research

Literature Review ƒ Show evidence of a range of relevant sources

ƒ Assess critically existing state of knowledge
ƒ Explain how the literature review contributes to the
understanding of the research question

Analysis, ƒ Demonstrate comprehensive and insightful understanding of

Interpretation and the subject matter.
Explanation ƒ Construct arguments that demonstrate critical analysis and
evaluation of sources used to answer the research question
ƒ Show cogency and coherence in argument
ƒ Demonstrate competence in terms of interpretation and
judgement
ƒ Use relevant evidence in the discussion with proper citation

Conclusion ƒ State conclusion in reference to research question

ƒ Highlight contributions and limitations of the research

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2.3 REFINING YOUR INDEPENDENT STUDY (IS)

You should be constantly refining your IS as you write it. A helpful checklist can
be found at Handout 1. The refinements to your IS could focus on the following
areas:

a. FOCUS ON THE RESEARCH QUESTION

• You should ensure that your IS remains focused on addressing the

research question throughout. To maintain the focus, the objectives of
the IS should be clearly stated at the beginning of your essay.

• Engaging in rigorous and continuous research throughout the writing

process will yield multiple perspectives that would enrich your
arguments. You should ensure that effective synthesis is done such as
to maintain focus on the research question.

b. CLARITY OF WRITING

• The quality of your arguments would be enhanced if you pay attention

to grammatically accurate and fluent sentence construction.

• There should be a smooth flow of arguments in your IS. Careful

planning and maintenance of coherence between paragraphs would
help ensure that.

c. USAGE OF EVIDENCE

• Your arguments should always be substantiated with evidence from a

range of sources.

• Critical analysis of these sources which involves effective interpretation

and evaluation would enable you to construct more substantial
arguments.

d. PROPER CITATIONS AND BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Your IS represents a piece of independent research work. As such,

you should always acknowledge any form of assistance you have
received. This assistance would include all sources and works you
have referred to in the course of writing your IS.

• An important aspect of academic discipline entails acknowledging your

sources through citations/footnotes which follow established academic
guidelines. There are various styles you may adopt in citing your

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 sources but you should ensure that there is consistency in your
citations. Refer to Handout 2 for various citation styles.

• The bibliography contains a list of all the sources and works you have
utilized in the writing of your IS. You would also have to follow
established academic guidelines in presenting this list. Refer to
Handout 3 (bibliography) for these guidelines.

e. WORD LIMIT AND FONT

• Your IS has a word limit of between 2000 to 2500 words. All headings,
footnotes, charts, tables and appendices would not count towards the
word limit.

• You should be aware that any IS submitted which exceeds the word
limit would not have the excess work marked and rewarded.

• Your Study should also be typewritten on A4 size paper in Arial font,

size 12 with double-spacing.

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STAGE 3: HOW TO SUBMIT AN INDEPENDENT STUDY?

Your IS must be submitted with the Declaration and Submission Form

attached in front. A copy of the Declaration and Submission Form is found in
Appendix B. This Form requires you to confirm that your IS is free from
plagiarism and represents your own work. Your CSE teacher would also be
signing the form to support your declaration.

A hardcopy of your research proposal(s) should also be submitted together with

your IS.

Additional documents that you may need to attach with your IS:

• The Record of Additional Guidance Form if you had received guidance

via a 2nd conference (see section F below) with your CSE supervising tutor.
A copy of the Record of Additional Guidance Form can be found at
Appendix C.

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E. GUIDANCE FROM YOUR CSE TUTOR

The following are some important guidelines to note with regard to the role of
your supervising tutor.

1. WHAT FORMS OF GUIDANCE CAN YOUR SUPERVISING TEACHER PROVIDE?

1.1 PREPARATION OF PROPOSAL

• Your supervising tutor would be providing more supervision during the

proposal stage. During this stage, he/she could guide you in the
following areas:
• selection of an appropriate research topic
• formulation of research proposal
• interpretation of examiners’ comments on their proposal, if
necessary
• advice on work schedule
• advice on research ethics
• advice on research skills and techniques
• advise candidates on the suitability of resources/references
selected
• explain how assessment is conducted

1.2 RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCESS

• An overview of different research methods e.g. qualitative and

quantitative methodologies.

• Advice on ethics and authenticity of IS. Your supervising tutor would

also need to support your declaration that your IS represents your work.
The Declaration and Submission Form can be found at Appendix B.

1.3 DURING THE WRITING PROCESS

• Your supervising tutor will schedule one conference over one sitting, at
the latest by the 4th month of writing.

• You may submit a draft of your work in advance of the conference, for
discussion during the session, but there WOULD BE NO WRITTEN
FEEDBACK from your supervising tutor on the work submitted. Take
notes during the conference so that you may refer to them when you
work on your IS.

• If necessary, you may ask for a 2nd conference. In the event of a 2nd
conference being scheduled, the teacher is required to complete the
Record of Additional Guidance Form (Appendix C), giving details of

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 key points of guidance given during the 2nd conference. You would be
given the opportunity to see what has been noted down on the form
and should sign your acknowledgement of the additional guidance
given.

• It should be noted that the nature and extent of additional guidance

given may be taken into consideration during assessment.

• Your supervising teacher may suggest a 2nd conference, but it would

be your decision whether or not to take up the suggestion as this
conference would be recorded as additional guidance.

2. OTHER FORMS OF GUIDANCE

• You may seek information from people outside of the school

environment who have expertise relevant to your research. You must
acknowledge information provided by these people through the use of
footnotes or the bibliography. However, it is NOT ACCEPTABLE for
you to seek or accept help from any outside agency, including family
and friends, in the actual writing of the essay.

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 Appendix A

CHINA STUDIES IN ENGLISH

HIGHER 2
(Syllabus 9733)

INDPENDENT STUDY PROPOSAL FORM

Candidate’s Name: Index Number:

Centre Name: Centre Number:

Year of Examination:

If this is the 2nd submission, please tick here

Research Topic:

Rationale for Choice of Research Topic:

Proposed Title of Independent Study:

Synopsis of Independent Study:

[State clearly the objective(s) and scope of your research, and identify any potential problems or
limitations.]

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Literature Review (i.e. an overview of the current state of knowledge in this topic):

Methodology
[State clearly qualitative and/or quantitative methods that will be used]

Candidate’s Signature: Date:

Teacher’s Name: Signature:

School Stamp

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 Appendix B

[To be attached to the front of Research Essay / Project / Independent Study]

RESEARCH ESSAY / PROJECT / INDEPENDENT STUDY

DECLARATION AND SUBMISSION FORM

Subject: Subject Code:

Candidate’s Name: NRIC/FIN:

Centre Name: Centre / Index:

Year of Examination:

Title of Research Essay / Project / Independent Study:

Plagiarism Warning:

Plagiarism is using someone else’s work (e.g. phrasing, findings, statistics, graphs, drawings etc) without
acknowledging the source of that information. This includes what is commonly known as ‘cutting and pasting’
information from books, journals, or the internet. The passing off of another candidate, person, or group’s work,
past or present, with or without consent, as your own, also constitutes plagiarism.

Plagiarism amounts to intellectual theft and is seen as an act of dishonesty. An investigation will be conducted
when there is cause for suspicion of plagiarism. Where clear and convincing evidence exists, disciplinary action
by the examining authority will be taken against any candidate found to have committed or aided the offence of
plagiarism and this could include the withholding of the grade for the subject.

Candidate’s Declaration:

I declare that the attached work was produced solely by me.

I also declare that the subject area and content used in this Research Essay / Project / Independent Study is not
used in any other H2/H3 Research Essay / Project / Independent Study that I am submitting in the same
examination year.

Word count for Research Essay / Project / Independent Study: _____________ words
Candidate’s Signature: Date:

Teacher’s Declaration:
(Please circle accordingly)

ƒ I have no reason / reason to believe that the candidate has plagiarised work in this Research Essay/
Project / Independent Study.
(If there is evidence to suggest plagiarism may have occurred, please complete an Irregularity Report and
submit to SEAB with the candidate’s work.)

Teacher’s Name: Signature: Date:

School Stamp

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 Appendix C

RESEARCH ESSAY / PROJECT / INDEPENDENT STUDY

RECORD OF ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE

Subject: Subject Code:

Candidate’s Name: Index Number:

Centre Name: Centre Number:

Year of Examination:

Title of Research Essay / Project / Independent Study:

Candidate’s Signature: Date:

The additional guidance given to this candidate is recorded above.

Teacher’s Name: Signature: Date:

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 Handout 1

Checklist: Refining your Independent Study

Does My Essay Address the Topic?

□ Have I dealt with all the essential issues?

□ Have I clarified essential terms and the meaning of what I am explaining?
□ Have I stated my arguments in the essay?
□ Have I provided a context for this analysis?
□ Are my inferences credible and plausible?
□ Have I developed my argument logically?
□ Have I gathered enough evidence and used it accurately to make my
argument?
□ Do I represent the views of my opponents in ways they would consider fair?
□ Do the conclusions mirror the opening in some way?

Is My Writing Clear?

□ Is each paragraph part of a coherent whole?

□ Have I kept my sentences short and manageable?
□ Are subjects and verbs in my sentences clearly connected?
□ Do I have clear reasons for the few times I use passive voice?
□ Do I write about the past in the past tense?
□ Have I used descriptive words and phrases judiciously?
□ Are words used appropriately? Do I avoid clichés and unnecessary words as
well as needless repetition?

Have I Used My Evidence Effectively?

□ Does the essay include a synthesis of different perspectives, or does it merely re-
port on what was found in the evidence?
□ Have I been fair in presenting my evidence?
□ Do I take contrary evidence into account? And have I presented other opinions in
an unbiased way?

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□ Do I use evidence to support my generalizations?
□ Have I used shorter rather than longer quotations, as appropriate?
□ Are the quotations I use blended into my prose?
□ Have I used punctuation appropriately within quotations?
□ Are there acknowledgments for every paraphrase or summary?

Are the Sources of the Evidence Clear?

□ Have I used a citation for every quotation in my essay?

□ Are there citations to the sources of ideas taken from other works?
□ Do all my citations explicitly identify the authors of my sources?
□ Are the titles of all sources indicated in my citations?
□ Have I made clear the locations where I found each of my sources?
□ Do I indicate accurate/appropriate dates for each source citation?
□ Can readers use any subsequent citations to identify my sources?

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 Handout 2

WRITING FOOTNOTES

Resource Format

First reference to a Full name of author(s) in normal order*, full title (italicised).
book Place of publication (a city not a country), publisher, year of
publication, page(s).

Example:
William Donald McTaggart, The May 1969 Disturbances in
Malaysia: Impact of a Conflict on Developmental Pattern. San
Diego: Association for Asian Studies. 1971, p. 45.

* Unlike bibliography that states the family name (surname) first,

it is not required in footnotes.

First reference to a Full name of author(s) in normal order, “Title of Article”, Title of
journal article journal, volume, number (month and year), page(s).

Example:
Heng Pek Koon, “The Social and Ideological Origins of the
Malayan Chinese Association”, Journal of Southeast Asian
Studies, 14, 2 (September 1983), p. 311.

First reference to a Full name of author(s) in normal order, “title of article”, in book
chapter/article in a title, edited by [editor’s name] (place of publication: publisher,
book year), page(s).

Example:
Ernest C. T. Chew, “The Foundation of a British Settlement”, in
A History of Singapore, ed. Ernest C.T. Chew and Edwin Lee
(Singapore: Oxford University Press, 1991), p. 38.

Use of Ibid. If a footnote refers to the same book, cited in the previous
footnote, use Ibid. If the footnote refers to the same book but
the page is different, indicate Ibid., p. __. Ibid means “in the
same place” in Latin.

Example:
Ernest C. T. Chew, “The Foundation of a British Settlement”, in
A History of Singapore, ed. Ernest C.T. Chew and Edwin Lee
(Singapore: Oxford University Press, 1991), p. 38.

Ibid., p.39

Use of Op cit Op cit is the abbreviation of opus citatum which means in the
work already cited.

24
Example:

Ernest C. T. Chew, “The Foundation of a British Settlement”, in

A History of Singapore, ed. Ernest C.T. Chew and Edwin Lee
(Singapore: Oxford University Press, 1991), p. 38.

William Donald McTaggart, The May 1969 Disturbances in

Malaysia: Impact of a Conflict on Developmental Pattern. San
Diego: Association for Asian Studies. 1971, p. 45.

Ernest C. T. Chew, op. cit., p. 144.

Subsequent references to the same book or article, already

mentioned in an earlier footnote, but not the one that follows the
main reference. Cite the surname of the author(s), not full name
and an abbreviated title.

Example:
McTaggart, The May 1969 Disturbances in Malaysia, p. 23.

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 Handout 3

WRITING THE BIBLIOGRAPHY

Examples of MLA Style

Resource Example

Book Brown, Adam, David Deterding, and Low Ee Ling, eds. The
English Language in Singapore: Research on Pronunciation.
Singapore: Singapore Assn for Applied Linguistics, 2000.

Book Chapter Bao, Zhiming. "The Sounds of Singapore English." English in

New Cultural Contexts: Reflections from Singapore. Eds. Joseph
A. Foley et al. Singapore: Singapore Institute of Management,
1998. 152-74.

Journal Article Goh, Christine C. M. "The Level Tone in Singapore English."

English Today: The International Review of the English
Language 14.1 (1998): 50-53.

Newspaper Lee, Jane. "Sars: Parents Keep Pre-school Kids at Home." The
Article Straits Times 26 Mar. 2003: 1.

Anonymous "Choral Music to Bring Youth Together." Africa News Service 25

Article Jun. 2002 : 1.

Thesis Khoo, Sim Eng. "The construction of a Chinese-American

feminine identity in film." Diss. National U of Singapore, 1998.

Conference Ho, Chee Lick. "Words in a Cultural Context: Term Selection."

Paper Words in a Cultural Context: Proceedings of the Lexicography
Workshop, September 9-11, 1991. Ed. Anne Pakir. Singapore:
Unipress, 1992. 202-214.

Web Site The WWW Virtual Library: Philosophy. Ed. Dan Brickley.
University of Bristol. 12 August 2000.
<http://www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/Philosophy/VL/>.

26
Examples of Chicago/Turabian Style (Humanities Style)

Resource Example

Book Asher, Mukul G., and Amina Tyabji, eds. Fiscal System of
Singapore: Trends, Issues and Future Directions. Singapore:
Centre for Advanced Studies, National University of Singapore,
1996.

Book Chapter Singleton, Gwynneth, and Mark Turner. "Government-Business

Relations and Southeast Asian Subregional Economic Growth
Triangles." In Handbook of Global Economic Policy, edited by S.
S. Nagel. New York: Marcel Dekker, 2000.

Journal Article Quah, Stella R. "Family Theory and Research in Singapore."

Marriage and Family Review 22, no. 1 and 2 (1996): 137-180.

Article without Singapore to increase security within its aviation industry. Airline
author Industry Information, 31 October 2002, 1.

Newspaper Chiam, Camilia. "CAAS, Inland Revenue bag excellence award,"

article The Straits Times, 24 July 2003, H6.

Thesis Pereira, Alexius Anthony. "Singapore Eurasians: Their

Management of Ethnic Identity." Master's thesis, National
University of Singapore, 1996.

Conference Yashiro, Naohiro, and Takashi Oshio. "Social Security and

Paper Retirement in Japan." in Social Security and Retirement Around
the World, edited by J. Gruber and D. A. Wise. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press, 1999.
Paper presented at the National Bureau of Economic Research
Conference, France, May 1997.

Web Site Asian Development Bank. Asian Development Outlook. Manila:

ADB, 2003. http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/ADO/2003/.
[Note that access date is generally not required by Chicago, but if
required by your discipline, include it at the end of the citation as
(accessed 24 July, 2003).]

27
Examples of Harvard Style

Resource Example

Book LIPSEY, R.G., COURANT, P.N. and RAGAN, C.T.S., 1999.

Economics. 12th ed. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

Book Chapter TONG, C.K. and Lian, K.F., 2003. Cultural knowledge, nation-
states, and the limits of globalization in Southeast Asia Southeast
Asian subregional economic growth triangles. In: S. Yamashita
and J.S. Eades, eds. Globalization in Southeast Asia: Local,
national, and transnational perspectives. New York: Berghahn
Books, pp. 42-63.

Journal Article QUAH, E., 2002. Transboundary pollution in Southeast Asia: the
Indonesian fires. World Development, 30(3): 429-441.

Article without ANON, 2001. Weld process changes enhance productivity.

author Welding Design & Fabrication, 74(9), 24-27.

Newspaper CHIA, S.A., 2002 Aug 14. More companies hiring but more
article retrenching too. The Straits Times, p. H2.

Thesis CHANG, T.C.W., 1996. Industrialization in ASEAN: the

technological dimension, Thesis (Master), National University of
Singapore.

Conference YASHIRO, N. and OSHIO, T., 1999. Social security and

Paper retirement in Japan. In: J. GRUBER and D.A. WISE, eds. Social
security and retirement around the world. Chicago: University of
Chicago Press, pp. 239-268.
[National Bureau of Economic Research Conference held in
France, May 1997.]

Web Site ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, 2003. Asian Development

Outlook. Online. Hong Kong: Oxford University Press. Available
from: http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/ADO/2003/. [3 Sep
2003].

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