A bibliography is a list of sources, such as books, articles, and other materials, that are referenced or consulted in the preparation of a work, such as an essay, research paper, or book. It provides essential information about each source, including the author's name, title, publication date, and other relevant details. Bibliographies serve to credit original authors, help readers locate the sources, and demonstrate the breadth of research conducted on a topic. There are various citation styles, such as APA, MLA, and Chicago, each with specific formatting rules for creating bibliographies.