University home Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF

Referencing

What is a reference?

A reference - also known as a citation - is an exact note of the source of a piece of information. A typical reference or citation for a journal article, for example, would include the following elements:

  • author(s) name(s)
  • title of the article
  • journal title
  • year, volume or part when published
  • page numbers

How do I create a reference?

There is no single system within the university for creating a reference. You should consult your course handbook or speak to tutors in your school to find out the system used in your school.

When a piece of coursework or an assignment is assessed, you may be penalised if you quote a piece of information without including the reference - and there may also be a penalty for using an incorrect reference! Remember: quotation without citation = plagiarism.

To find out more about plagiarism and the consequences of doing it - innocently or otherwise - click the Avoiding plagiarism link in the left-hand menu bar.



Log in