|
Correct and consistent use of a standard referencing convention is essential in producing a report, thesis or paper.
What is referencing?
Referencing is a standardized way of acknowledging the sources of information and ideas that have been used in research or assignments. This allows the sources to be identified.
Why reference?
Referencing is important to avoid plagiarism, to verify quotations and to enable readers to identify and follow up works you have referred to.
Steps in referencing
-
Record the full bibliographic details and relevant page numbers of the source from which information is taken.
-
Insert the citation at the appropriate place in the text of your document.
-
Include a reference list that includes all in-text citations at the end of your document.
In-text citations
-
In an author-date style, in-text citations usually require the name of the author(s) and the year of publication.
-
A page number is included if you have a direct quote, if you paraphrase a passage or if you want to direct the reader to a specific page or idea. Page numbers may also be included if you are referring to a long work and the page numbers might be useful to the reader.
How to create a reference list/bibliography
-
A reference list includes just the books, articles, and web pages etc that are cited in the text of the document. A bibliography includes all sources consulted for background reading.
-
A reference list is arranged alphabetically by author. If an item has no author, it is cited by title, and included in the alphabetical list using the first significant word of the title.
-
If you have more than one item with the same author, list the items chronologically, starting with the earliest publication.
-
Each reference appears on a new line.
-
Each item in the reference list is required to have a hanging indent.
-
References should not be numbered.
Referencing Software
SU Library provides access to EndNote and RefWo
There are several referencing styles as indicated below:
|
