bibliography-organization

name	bibliography-organization
description	Organize and sort bibliographic entries alphabetically by author surname, handle multiple works by same author with chronological sorting and letter suffixes

Bibliography Organization and Sorting

Use this skill when organizing reference lists, bibliographies, or citation sections in academic papers.

When to Use

• Creating or maintaining a bibliography section
• Organizing a reference list alphabetically
• Handling multiple publications by the same author
• Ensuring proper alphabetical sorting in academic documents

Sorting Procedure

1. Primary Sort by Author Surname

Sort all entries alphabetically by the first author's surname. Group entries by the first letter:

• The chunk begins with 'S' surnames (Solomon, Sommerfeld, Spicer, Sze)
• The chunk transitions to 'T' surnames (Tabata, Tauc, Tersoff) after the last 'S' entry

2. Handle Multiple Works by Same Author

• Sort chronologically by year of publication
• Use letter suffixes (a, b, c) to distinguish multiple works by the same author in the same year

Example: W.E. Spicer entries appear in order: 1968, 1977, 1980a, 1980b, 1988

Example: D.L. Staebler (1977a) and D.L. Staebler (1977b)

3. Maintain Consistent Name Format

• Use consistent formatting throughout the bibliography
• Common formats: Initials followed by Surname (e.g., "W.E. Spear") or Surname followed by Initials
• Apply the same format to all entries

Constraints

• Does not apply to numbering systems sorted by citation order
• Only applies when alphabetical organization is required