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?
What is the difference between a citation and a reference?
Although often used interchangeably, citations and references have distinct roles in academic writing:
Citation
Reference
In summary:
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:
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:
Why it Matters:
Following the specific guidelines for the Derby version of Harvard is crucial for several reasons:
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?
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?
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.