Referencing your work Michael Veitch Senior Information Adviser

Contents What is referencing? Why do I need to reference? Examples of plagiarism – Unintentional – Intentional LSBU Harvard Referencing style RefMe Further help

Referencing is a way of acknowledging the work or ideas of another person. In academic writing, statements are backed up by evidence either from the author’s own research or from other people’s work. What is referencing?

In-text citation A small reference you put inside your work at the point where you refer to a source Reference list A list of full references to the sources you’ve cited in the text.

LSBU Harvard style …Although there has been a paucity of research into children’s attitudes and motivation for foreign language learning, a study carried out by Cotterall (1999) supports this view that learners approach the task of acquiring another language in different ways, depending upon individual characteristics such as the belief they have of themselves as language learners. Gremmo and Riley (1995) suggest that children’s beliefs play a central role in learning experience and achievements, whilst Riley adds that beliefs about language learning “may directly influence or even determining attitude or motivation or behaviour when learning the language in question” (Riley, 1996, p. 155). Language learners’ self beliefs are therefore, particularly important in maintaining positive attitude and motivation in the face of difficulties and failure… Reference list Cotterall, S. (1999) Key variables in language learning: what do learners believe about them? System, 27 (4), pp Gremmo, M.J. and Riley, P. (1995) Autonomy, self-direction and self access in language teaching and learning: the history of an idea, System, 23 (20), pp Riley, P. (1996) Beliefs about talk and beliefs about language learning. Proceedings of the international conference AUTONOMY 2000: The development of learning independence in language learning, Bangkok, November, pp Available from: [Accessed 20 June 2011].

Why Reference? To acknowledge other people’s ideas To enable your reader to trace your sources To prove that you have researched a topic To support your ideas and arguments To avoid charges of plagiarism which is a serious academic offence

Plagiarism Plagiarism is the act of presenting the work or ideas of another as your own. Why is it considered misconduct? Prevents deep learning Degrades academic standards Impacts on professional standards

What will happen if I get caught plagiarising? For first offences you may be asked to re-submit the work. If you are reported for plagiarism on a regular basis you risk being asked to leave the course and the University.

Examples of plagiarism Intentional and unintentional Failure to cite source of information which is not “common knowledge” Cutting and pasting or copying another’s words without quoting or citing Paraphrasing or summarising another’s words or ideas without citing Using illustrative materials such as diagrams and statistics without citing the source Recycling assignments that you’ve already submitted (this is self plagiarism).

Examples of plagiarism Intentional Using another person’s assignment Using a paper downloaded freely or purchased from the Web If you allow your work to be copied, that’s “collusion” and is also a form of plagiarism.

Turnitin Turnitin - online plagiarism detection service accessed through Moodle. Using TurnitinUK in Moodle helpsheet My LSBU > Library & Academic > IT Support > How to guides Support/How-To-Guides

How do I avoid plagiarism? By clearly acknowledging in your assignments when including, quoting or paraphrasing the work of another. By taking accurate notes. By referencing accurately in LSBU Harvard style. Allow plenty of time to research and write assignments / start early.

When to cite

LSBU Harvard Style – In-text citations Format: (Author, year) or (Author, year, page) Examples: … other authors have denied this (Hartley, 1999). Hartley (1999) suggests that … “transformation is key to …” (Hartley, 1999, p.74).

Multiple authors For three authors or more, put et al. after the name of the first author in the in-text citation. Example: … Anderson et al. (2003) concluded that … Et al. is an abbreviation of the Latin et alia meaning “and others”. Note: You should include the first six authors before you use et al. in the reference list.

– Author – Year published – Title – Edition (if later than the first) – Place of publication – Publisher LSBU Example: Bird, J. and Ross, C. (2015) Mechanical Engineering Principles. Abingdon: Routledge Books

Chapter in an edited book – Author of the chapter – The year the book was published – Title of the chapter – Editor(s) of the book – Title of the book – Edition (if later than the first) – Place of publication: publisher – Page range of chapter LSBU Harvard example: Bussell, M. (2014) Ferrous metals: an overview, in: Doran, D. and Cather, B. (eds.) Construction materials reference book. Abingdon: Routledge, pp

Journal articles – Author (Surname, Initials) – Year published – Title of article – Name of journal – Volume & issue number – First & last page numbers LSBU Example: Bogoni, L. (1998) More than just shape: a representation for functionality, Artificial Intelligence in Engineering, 12 (4), pp

Websites/electronic documents – Author – Year of publication – Title – Available from: URL – [Accessed date] LSBU Harvard Example: Burrus, C. S. (2006) What is engineering? Available from: [Accessed 10 January 2014].

Tips Keep track of everything you have used – start compiling your reference list as soon as you start reading a document Make accurate notes to distinguish your own words/ideas from the work of other people It is better to reference too much than not enough If you are unsure, ask at the library’s Research helpdesk or

My LSBU Style guide, workbooks and quizzes on Referencing your work page:

RefME Free referencing generator – includes LSBU Harvard style Sign up at Also available as an app – you can scan barcodes of books to add a reference. However you will still need to check your references!

Further help with referencing queries or arrange 1:1 training. Referencing workshops/skills days in the library. Perry Library - Research helpdesk (Level 3 Bridge, 11am – 4.30pm term-time)