Here's a breakdown of the reasons:
Why it's not necessary:
* Traditional format: Traditional bibliographic styles like MLA, APA, and Chicago do not require hyperlinks. The focus is on providing the essential information for readers to locate the source themselves.
* Potential for broken links: Hyperlinks can become broken over time, making the bibliography inaccurate.
* Redundancy: Some citation managers automatically generate DOIs or URLs for each entry, so including a hyperlink would be redundant.
Why it can be helpful:
* Easy access: Hyperlinks make it quick and easy for readers to access the source material directly from the bibliography.
* Improved usability: Especially in digital documents, hyperlinks enhance the user experience by providing clickable links to the sources.
* Clarity and consistency: If a source is online, including the URL can help distinguish it from print sources.
Ultimately, the decision to include hyperlinks in your bibliography comes down to personal preference and the context of your work.
Here are some guidelines to consider:
* Follow style guide requirements: Always check the specific style guide you are using for any guidelines about hyperlinks.
* Consider your audience: If your audience is likely to benefit from easy access to the sources, hyperlinks can be a good choice.
* Maintain accuracy: Ensure that all hyperlinks are working correctly and that the URLs are accurate.
* Avoid clutter: Use hyperlinks judiciously and avoid overloading the bibliography with too many clickable elements.
Remember, the most important goal is to create a clear and useful bibliography that helps your reader easily access the sources you've cited.