Introduction to referencing

You should reference when…

Quoting an author’s exact words
Using an author’s ideas but putting them in your own words
Summarising an author’s ideas

If you are an undergraduate, or studying a taught masters level course, then your school will specify which referencing style you need to use throughout your degree.

Different disciplines have varying referencing requirements so if you’re not sure check with your lecturer or tutor before starting to write.

If you are on a research course then you may need to change your referencing style if you’re planning to publish in a particular journal. Your Academic Subject Librarian will be able to advise on how to identify what this is if you need help.

Harvard referencing introduction & referencing quiz

Take this quiz to ensure you know how to manage your references in the Harvard sytle.

What is good referencing?

Citing and referencing every idea you have taken from someone else’s work
Adding a reference (known as an in-text citation when using the Harvard style) every time you directly quote, or you paraphrase (put into your own words) or summarise from an information source
Adding a properly formatted list of references at the end of every written assignment. It should include all the sources you have referred to (cited) in your assignment in alphabetical order by author’s surname
Being CONSISTENT

Why is referencing important?

It is important to back up your ideas with those from sources of information (books, journal articles, etc.)
Your list of references shows what sources you have used in your work – this shows you have done some research
Citations show your tutor which ideas in your work are taken from information sources
Using another person’s work without citing and referencing is plagiarism (a type of theft). You must reference every source that you use to avoid academic misconduct
If you plagiarise ideas – even by accident – your mark may be reduced

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is “the practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own.” (Oxford English dictionary)

It can be intentional or unintentional but has the same consequences whether you intended to do it or not.

Avoiding plagiarism

When quoting directly remember to use double quotation marks at the beginning and end “….”
Make sure you record exactly where you are taking notes from and whether it is a direct quotation

Complete the Plagiarism Tutorial Read more detail

The library’s guides make referencing easy and explain how to reference in all the different styles. Different subjects prefer different styles, so always check with your lecturers about which style they want for your assignment.
Lewis Foster, 3rd year Journalism

The University of Lincoln’s Harvard Referencing Handbook provides information on how to reference a variety of information sources.

Referencing and plagiarism – Skills for Study

All University of Lincoln students have access to the learning resource hub Skills for Study, provided by the Library.

Follow this link to a Referencing and plagiarism module and complete topics on:

– Referencing
– Understanding plagiarism

You will need to login using your University of Lincoln credentials to access this learning resource.