Originally Posted by
Crazy Cupcakes
But what I don't understand is why different subjects require different styles. Surely they can make an epic new type?
I don't think any current referencing style really manages to properly suit all the disciplines. Some subjects (law jumps out at me, but there will be more) require footnotes for referencing specific things, whereas other subjects will use footnotes to add in some extra information. Those two methods would never be able to properly mix. Reports are laid out and written in entirely different ways from essays, and their referencing can often reflect that.
If there was a style that could be perfect for every discipline then it would probably have been created by now, or people just don't think it is really needed. As long as you are consistent in your referencing, and do it as you go, it can be quite straightforward.