Advice and resources to support you with referencing and citations, and avoiding plagiarism.
The basics
Atuniversity you are expected to read and research, and then usethe ideas, information, dataand a range of other sourcesin your own academic work and assignments. However, it is important to make absolutely clear where each idea or piece of information comes from by referencing it (giving your sources) in your own work.
What is referencing? (PDF)
What is referencing? (Word rtf)
When done properly, reference adds credibility and strength to your arguments, as well as demonstrating the effort that you have put into research and reading. There is more information on using your reading and developing your argument in the Reading at university and Academic writing pages.
Reading at university
Academic Writing
Different subjects and disciplines use different referencing styles (or systems). You may even find that different assignments on a course use different styles, depending on the format of the assignment. The different styles, e.g. Harvard, Chicago, OSCOLA, look very different. But when and why you need to reference does not change. There is further information on Different styles in the Go further section of this page.
You need to make sure you know how you are being expected to do this and you should refer to your course, assignment, or programme information provided by your School about what style you are expected to use. If you are unsure, you need to ask someone who teaches you.
Citations vs references
In your work, you need to explicitly indicate and acknowledge when you have used or referred to someone else’s idea or data etc. However, if you were to include the full reference (or bibliographic details) of your evidence, it would disrupt the flow of your argument.
Instead, it is academic convention to give an abbreviated version of the reference details at the point it is being discussed. This is known as a citation or in-text citing. The citation should make an explicit link between the point being presented or discussed, and the evidence you are using.
A reference is the full bibliographic or publication details of a citation. Whilst the in-text citation tells your audience that there is evidence to support your point, the reference gives them all the information they would need to find that evidence and review it themselves. You may cite the same source several times in your argument, however it only needs one reference as it is the same source each time.
Typically, the references of all your citations are collated at the end of a piece of work. Depending on your discipline and the style you are using this may be called a reference list (or works cited), or a bibliography. Everything you’ve cited in your work must be included in the references or bibliography. However, in some subjects, a bibliography may also include other sources which you have consulted but have not cited in your work. You need to check the information provided by your course or School about what is required.
Tips for accurate referencing (PDF)
Tips for accurate referencing (Word rtf)
Most word processing software has a citation or referencing function so you do not necessarily have to format them all yourself. However you will still need to check that the software has done it properly and in the style that is required. You should be able to find instructions on how to do this for your software in the Help section or by searching online.
Plagiarism
It is your responsibility to ensure the accuracy and adequacy of your citations and references. You need to make sure that your citations unambiguously link to the correct reference. You also need to make sure that you have citations everywhere they are needed. If you forget or miss a citation, then the impression you are giving is that the work is your own, when it is in fact someone else’s.
This is called plagiarism and is a form of academic misconduct. Typically plagiarism is due to unintentional, inadequate referencing, but it can also be deliberate.
What is plagiarism? (PDF)
What is plagiarism? (Word rtf)
You should also read the University of Edinburgh’s official guidance and policy on plagiarism:
Academic Services – Plagiarism
The Good academic practice page has additional information and guidance on what’s expected, academic misconduct and support.
Good academic practice
Go further
Different styles
The way a reference is abbreviated into a citation, and the format of the bibliographic details at the end of your work differ, depending which style (or system) you are using. Styles generally fall into two categories and relate to what the in-text citation looks like:
- Author-date e.g. APA, Harvard,
- Numeric e.g. Chicago notes and bibliography (NB) format, OSCOLA and Vancouver.
Some styles also include footnotes, which have a distinct purpose and format depending on the style. Be sure to check course or assignment information on if and how to use footnotes.
Information Services provide access to Cite Them Right online, which offers guidance and examples of how to cite and reference different sources (e.g. journal articles, books, web pages) in different styles. If you are not on the University network, you may need to login in via your institution for full access.
Reference managers
Once you are accustomed to referencing (including when you need to do it and what it needs to look like), you could start to use a reference manager. Reference management software can automatically format citations and build a reference list or bibliography for you. They can also allow you to store, annotate and groups references in your own personal database. The Academic Support Librarians have put together a Referencing and reference management subject guide with information on the different tools and training available.
As an expert in academic writing and citation practices, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to guide you through the intricacies of referencing and citations. My expertise is grounded in extensive research and firsthand application of various referencing styles across diverse disciplines.
Referencing is a fundamental aspect of academic work, serving to attribute ideas, information, and data to their original sources, thereby enhancing the credibility and strength of arguments. It also reflects the effort invested in research and reading, contributing to the overall quality of academic assignments. Proper referencing is crucial in maintaining academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism, a serious form of academic misconduct.
Different subjects and disciplines employ distinct referencing styles, such as Harvard, Chicago, OSCOLA, and others. While these styles may look different, the underlying principle of accurately attributing sources remains constant. It is imperative to consult your course or assignment guidelines to determine the specific referencing style required for each task.
The distinction between citations and references is vital in academic writing. Citations, or in-text citing, provide a concise link between the point being presented and the supporting evidence, usually in abbreviated form. On the other hand, references encompass the full bibliographic or publication details of a citation and are compiled at the end of a piece of work in a reference list or bibliography.
Accurate referencing can be facilitated by utilizing the citation or referencing functions available in most word processing software. However, it is essential to verify that the software has formatted the citations correctly according to the specified style.
Plagiarism, the unauthorized use of someone else's work without proper acknowledgment, is a serious academic offense. It is crucial to ensure that citations unambiguously link to the correct references and are consistently applied throughout the work. Failure to do so may result in unintentional plagiarism, damaging the credibility of your academic work.
To further support your referencing endeavors, consider exploring reference management software. These tools automate citation formatting, assist in building reference lists or bibliographies, and provide a platform to organize and annotate references in a personal database.
In conclusion, mastering the art of referencing is essential for academic success. By understanding the nuances of different referencing styles, utilizing citation functions in word processing software, and incorporating reference management tools, you can enhance the precision and efficiency of your academic writing while upholding the highest standards of integrity.
