Bibliography
A list of works consulted for a piece of writing, which may include sources read for background but not cited in the text.
A bibliography lists the works consulted during a research project. In its strict sense it is broader than a reference list because it may include sources that informed your thinking but are never cited in the text. In practice, many disciplines and citation styles use the terms interchangeably, and some university templates label the reference section "Bibliography" regardless of its contents.
For a thesis, check your institution's formatting rules early: some departments require a reference list restricted to cited works, others expect a full bibliography, and a few ask for both or for a bibliography divided into primary and secondary sources. Knowing which convention applies before you start writing saves a painful restructuring job at submission time, and a citation manager can generate either form from the same library.
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