Method 1
Best and easiest way I found is(& the method I'm using without an issue) to install this extension. jQuery Easy. It's just not a extension, it will keep you out of conflicts.
http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/core-enhancements/performance/jquery-scripts/18327
This plugin is meant to help clean and resolve front and back end
issues when using instances of jQuery alongside the Mootools
libraries.
Method 2
You can including it in your template as below
<script type="text/javascript" src="<?php echo $this->baseurl ?>/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE_NAME/PATH_TO_JAVASCRIPT_FOLDER/YOUR_JQUERY.js"></script>
Method 3
Using PHP you can add jQuery as below. Find more info here.
<?php
$document = JFactory::getDocument();
$document->addScript('/path/to_the/js/jquery.js');
?>
Method 4
This way it check whether jQuery version exists. if not add it.
<?php
if(!JFactory::getApplication()->get('jquery')){
JFactory::getApplication()->set('jquery',true);
$doc = JFactory::getDocument();
$document->addScript('/path/to_the/js/jquery.js');
}
?>