Referencing: Your Guide to Getting it Right

Posted on: July 23, 2020

You've probably heard a lot about how important it is to get your references and citations correct. How important they are to avoid plagiarism and to make sure that your lecturers can see how well you have researched your work. It will also help anyone reading your work to find related books and articles. This infographic will help you to make sure that you are getting your referencing right. To download a PDF version, click here. 

• Always use the referencing style required by your university. You will find information on the correct style in your course handbook or if you’re unsure, speak with your professor/instructor.
• Correct referencing demonstrates your understanding of academic requirements.
• Using the work of others without acknowledgement is plagiarism and will have serious consequences.
• Keep a notebook of your sources throughout the research and writing of your assignment to make the referencing easier.

Why is referencing important?

• It provides evidence to support the arguments and assertions covered in your assignments.
• It demonstrates the breadth of your research.
• Accurate referencing helps the reader identify the original source.
• Referencing gives a wider context to your work.
• It helps you to show which ideas are your own and which are someone else’s.