Introduction to the GB/T 7714 Reference Formatting Standard

Core Functions and Applications of GB/T 7714

  • Standardized Author Name Formatting

    Example

    Qian XS or Xuesen Qian (not X.S. Qian or Qian, Xuesen)

    Scenario

    In a multilingual academic paper, authors’ names from Chinese and foreign sources must follow strict name order and formatting. This function ensures Chinese names are correctly displayed (e.g., 'Qian XS') and Western names appear with the surname first, e.g., 'Metcalf SW'.

  • Proper Reference Type Tagging

    Example

    [J] for journals, [C] for conferences, [M] for books, etc.

    Scenario

    An engineering researcher preparing a manuscript for a Chinese core journal must distinguish clearly between sources from journals, conferences, and dissertations. Proper tagging such as '[C]' for proceedings ensures the citation is identifiable and traceable.

  • Elimination of Formatting Errors and Inconsistencies

    Example

    Removal of DOIs, avoiding abbreviated conference names, and correcting punctuation spacing

    Scenario

    A research assistant compiling references from various export formats (EndNote, Zotero, Google Scholar) may end up with inconsistent formats. GB/T 7714 guidelines unify these references into a professional, standardized bibliography by removing extraneous elements and applying proper spacing and punctuation.

Target Users and Their Needs

  • Academic Researchers and Graduate Students

    These users frequently write theses, journal articles, and reports. Adhering to GB/T 7714 is often a mandatory requirement in Chinese universities and scholarly journals. Using the standard ensures their work meets institutional and publication standards, avoiding rejection or revision requests based solely on reference formatting.

  • Editors and Peer Reviewers of Chinese Journals

    Journal editors and reviewers use GB/T 7714 to verify the technical integrity of submissions. Proper reference formatting signals attention to detail and academic rigor. It also facilitates accurate indexing and database integration (e.g., CNKI, WanFang), which are crucial in China's academic ecosystem.

How to Use 统一参考文献格式(GB/T 7714)

  • Step 1

    Visit aichatonGB/T 7714 Guideline.org for a free trial without login; no ChatGPT Plus required.

  • Step 2

    Prepare your reference entries: Gather all citation information including author(s), title, journal or book name, publisher, year, pages, and document type.

  • Step 3

    Submit your unformatted references: Paste them into the chat or upload in bulk, regardless of the current citation style (APA, MLA, IEEE, etc.).

  • Step 4

    Let the tool auto-format: The AI will standardize author names, correct punctuation, apply Chinese and English name rules, and format according to GB/T 7714 standards including document type, journal naming, and spacing.

  • Step 5

    Review and copy output: Receive fully formatted references that you can directly paste into your thesis or research paper. Double-check non-standard entries (e.g., websites, preprints) manually.

  • Academic Writing
  • Thesis Submission
  • Research Formatting
  • Journal Publishing
  • Conference Papers

Common Questions about 统一参考文献格式(GB/T 7714)

  • GB/T 7714 is the national citation standard in China used in academic writing and publications. It ensures uniformity in formatting across theses, journal articles, and reports. Adhering to it is mandatory for submissions to Chinese academic journals and universities.

  • How are author names handled in GB/T 7714?

    Chinese names are written in full (e.g., 王伟) or abbreviated (Wang W). For foreign names, use surname first with capitalized initial for given name (e.g., Metcalf SW). Only list up to three authors; if more, use '等' for Chinese or 'et al' for English references.

  • Can this tool correct incorrect punctuation and spacing in citations?

    Yes, it automatically corrects punctuation (commas, semicolons, periods) and spacing based on strict GB/T 7714 rules. It also ensures proper placement of brackets, slashes, and document type tags like [J], [C], [M], etc.

  • What types of documents does this tool support?

    It supports a wide range of references including journal articles [J], conference papers [C], books [M], dissertations [D], reports [R], patents [P], newspapers [N], and electronic resources [E].

  • Is manual checking still necessary after formatting?

    For most standard references, no. However, for obscure sources (e.g., web pages, rare books, or mixed-language entries), a quick manual review is recommended to ensure accuracy, especially regarding publication details and author name consistency.

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