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Referencing

Referencing is the process of acknowledging the sources you use in your academic work. This involves citing the author, title, and publication details of each source within the text of your work, and providing a complete list of references at the end.

Why is referencing important for students?

  • Avoids Plagiarism: Referencing gives credit to the original authors and avoids plagiarism, which is the act of presenting someone else's work as your own. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and can lead to severe consequences.

  • Shows Research: Referencing demonstrates that you have conducted thorough research and consulted a variety of sources to support your arguments. This strengthens the credibility and validity of your work.

  • Provides Evidence: Citing sources provides evidence for your claims and arguments, allowing your readers to verify the information and explore the topic further.

  • Acknowledges Intellectual Property: Referencing respects the intellectual property rights of authors and creators by giving them credit for their work.

  • Helps Readers: Referencing allows your readers to easily locate the sources you have used, enabling them to follow up on your research and gain a deeper understanding of the topic.

What is the difference between a citation and a reference?

Although often used interchangeably, citations and references have distinct roles in academic writing:

Citation

  • Location: Appears within the main body of your text (in brackets).
  • Purpose: Briefly identifies the source of information or ideas you've used to support your argument.
  • Format: Includes includes the author's last name, year of publication, and sometimes a page number.
  • Example: Zott and Amit argue that business model innovation is a crucial driver of competitive advantage, stating that "firms that are able to constantly reinvent their business models are more likely to achieve sustained superior performance" (2010, p. 218).

Reference

  • Location: Appears at the end of your document in a list titled "References".
  • Purpose: Provides full details of the source, allowing readers to find and consult it.
  • Format: Typically includes author, title, publication year, publisher, and other details like journal name, volume, issue, and page numbers.
  • Example: Zott, C. and Amit, R. (2010) 'Business model innovation: Creating value in times of change', Long Range Planning, 43(2-3), pp. 216-226.

In summary:

  • A citation is a short in-text note acknowledging the source of information.
  • A reference is a full bibliographic entry providing complete details of the source.

Every citation in the text must have a corresponding reference in the reference list, and every reference should be cited at least once in the text.

Referencing styles exist to ensure consistency and clarity in academic writing. They provide a standardised format for citing sources, making it easier for readers to locate and verify the information presented. Different styles have evolved over time to meet the specific needs of various disciplines and institutions.

The Harvard Style: A Popular Choice

The Harvard style, also known as the author-date style, is one of the most widely used referencing systems. It is favoured for its simplicity and ease of use, particularly in the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences.

Key features of the Harvard style include:

  • In-text citations: Author's last name and year of publication (in brackets) within the text.
  • Reference list: Full bibliographic details of all cited sources at the end of the document, arranged alphabetically by author.

Variations on a Theme: The Importance of Following Your Guidelines

While the basic principles of the Harvard style remain consistent, there are numerous variations in formatting details. These variations differ between countries and institutions, but unhelpfully, they are still called Harvard!

Some common variations in Harvard referencing include:

  • Punctuation: Use of commas, colons, or full stops.
  • Capitalisation: Capitalisation of titles, journal names, etc.
  • Abbreviations: Use of abbreviations for journal titles, months, etc.
  • Page numbers: Whether to include page numbers for all citations or only for direct quotes.

Why it Matters:

Following the specific guidelines for the Derby version of Harvard is crucial for several reasons:

  • Consistency: Ensures a uniform presentation of references throughout your work.
  • Clarity: Helps readers easily understand and locate your sources.
  • Academic integrity: Demonstrates your adherence to academic conventions and avoids potential accusations of plagiarism.
  • Grading: Your work may be assessed on your ability to follow the prescribed referencing style.

Therefore, it is essential to consult Cite Them Right to ensure you are using the correct version of the Harvard style for your assignments.

Cite Them Right is an online resource designed to help students master referencing. It provides comprehensive guidance on various referencing styles, including Harvard, APA, OSCOLA, and more. The platform offers clear examples, explanations, and interactive tools to help you create accurate and consistent citations and references.

Why is Cite Them Right crucial for students?

  • Accuracy and Consistency: Cite Them Right ensures you are referencing correctly, following the specific guidelines of your programme's style. This promotes accuracy and consistency in your academic work.
  • Avoiding Plagiarism: By correctly attributing sources, you avoid unintentional plagiarism and maintain academic integrity.
  • Credibility and Professionalism: Accurate referencing enhances the credibility of your work and demonstrates your professionalism as a researcher.
  • Time-saving: Cite Them Right simplifies the referencing process, saving you time and effort.

No Need to Memorise: Cite Them Right as Your Go-To Resource

You don't need to memorise every detail of referencing styles like Harvard. Even your academic librarian frequently consults Cite Them Right to double-check specific formats, order of elements, or which parts should be italicised! It's a valuable resource for everyone, regardless of their level of expertise.

Cite Them Right: The University's Chosen Harvard Style

Derby has chosen Cite Them Right as its official guide for Harvard referencing. This means that the examples and guidelines provided in Cite Them Right are the ones you should follow in your academic work. It ensures consistency across all departments and courses, making it easier for you to reference correctly and avoid potential errors.

How Do I Access Cite Them Right?

Cite Them Right is available both in print and online. We have copies of the guidance text in the library, or the interactive web version is available by clicking on the banner above. You can also access Cite Them Right and further referencing guidance from the Develop @ Derby Referencing page.

Reference management tools, also known as citation managers or bibliographic software, are applications designed to streamline the process of collecting, organising, and citing references in your academic work. They act as a centralised database for your sources, making it easier to manage and use them throughout your research and writing process.

Why are reference management tools useful?

  • Efficient organisation: Store and organise all your references in one place, easily searchable by author, title, year, or keywords.
  • Automatic citation and bibliography generation: Easily insert citations into your documents and automatically generate bibliographies or reference lists in your chosen style (e.g., Harvard).
  • Consistent formatting: Ensure all your references adhere to the correct style guidelines, reducing errors and saving time.
  • Collaboration: Share references with friends or collaborators and work on projects together seamlessly.
  • Cloud storage and access: Access your references from any device with an internet connection, allowing you to work on your research from anywhere.

Setting the Correct Referencing Style and Double-Checking Details

When using a reference management tool, it's crucial to set it to the correct referencing style required by your institution or publisher. This ensures that your citations and bibliographies are formatted accurately. You should be looking for one called something like 'Harvard - Cite Them Right'. If in doubt, contact your academic librarian.

Importing References

Many reference management tools allow you to import references directly from databases, websites, or PDF files, sometimes via a one-click browser plugin or by downloading a file containing multiple records. This can save you time, but it's important to review and correct any inaccuracies or missing information after importing. Some tools may not capture all the necessary details, such as author names, titles, dates, and page numbers, so manual adjustments may be required. Errors in the initial data entry can lead to incorrect citations and potential plagiarism accusations.

Generating Reference Lists

When generating a reference list or bibliography, carefully review the output to ensure it matches the required style guidelines. Pay attention to punctuation, capitalisation, and the order of elements. If you're unsure, consult Cite Them Right or your academic librarian for clarification.

More Information

The Library has a more detailed guide on reference management tools available here. This includes information about the software the university subscribes to, EndNote, as well as free online versions such as Zotero and Mendeley (hint: your academic librarian uses Zotero!). We also offer workshops on reference management tools.