1. To maximise your learning,
put this file in Slide Show mode,
and click through each point at your own pace.

2. Conference proceedings
DVDs
Twitter
Websites
Online videos
CDs
E-books
Conference papers
Reports
Maps
Blogs
Facebook
In-text referencing:
Plans
Conference proceedings
Wikis
Book chapters
Standards
Books
Magazines
Web documents
Journal articles
Newspapers
Created by Sandra Cochrane, Engineering & Surveying Librarian

3. Learning activity objectives
On completion of this learning activity, you should:
Understand why referencing is important to university study and professional practice
Recognise when to quote and when to paraphrase
Be developing some confidence in your ability to effectively reference in the text of your assignments
After that, like so many skills, it’s just a matter of practice

4. Referencing Re-cap
When you complete an assessment item, you actually take on three roles:
YOU the LEARNER
YOU the SCHOLAR
YOU the PROFESSIONAL (on L plates)
This was probably quite a surprise the first time you heard it
Referencing is important to each of your roles for a number of different reasons. Let’s review them:

5. Referencing and the Learner
References provide evidence for the assertions that you make
They show that your analysis is reasoned and is being developed through the use of high quality professional information
This is important to your markers as, when they assess your work, they are taking on responsibility to help ensure that you are building a sound professional knowledge base
Having to provide evidence to justify your assertions, encourages you to think about the HOWs and the WHYs
Thinking about the HOWs and WHYs encourages deep thinking and learning.

6. Referencing and the Scholar
As an undergraduate student at USQ, you have joined the traditions of scholarship. These traditions apply from undergraduate students to the most eminent researchers
As knowledge building and sharing is central to university life, scholars are expected to acknowledge the contributions of others when they use them. Referencing is the way we acknowledge the contributions of those who have come before us
It is a lot like acknowledging the contributions that our families and friends make to our personal achievements.

7. Referencing and the Professional
Referencing in reports, presentations and other professional documents provides your stakeholders and colleagues with evidence that:
Explains and justifies your decisions
Shows that you have used up-to-date information and knowledge to help you make your decisions
Demonstrates that you have taken into account any conflicting information or perspectives
These demonstrate your expertise and accountability, giving stakeholders and colleagues confidence in your work.

8. Referencing in the text of your assignment
Quote when the author has said it so well that you cannot possibly say it any better
Paraphrase at all other times. Paraphrasing is putting the author’s words into your own words
Paraphrasing is generally the best option as:
You need to understand what the author is saying to put it into your own words → paraphrasing shows your marker that you understand what you are talking about
When your entire assignment is in your own words, your work is much easier to read which makes it easier to mark

9. Quoting and paraphrasing

10. Your learning activity
First you will need to read a journal article (recommended by Marita):
Scoones, I. (2007). Sustainability. Development in Practice, 17(4-5),
As you are reading the article, take some notes so that you have a record of the themes of the article and the arguments and evidence that Scoones presents in support of his position/s
Then have a look at these two paragraphs that reference Scoones’ paper, and explains how I have used in-text referencing – I have chosen a planning theme for my paragraphs
Now take your notes and write two paragraphs of your own, including at least one in-text reference in each paragraph. Each reference should provide evidence for your position, evidence that you have discovered from Scoones’ work.

11. Last word I hope that referencing is a little clearer to you now
If you are still a little unsure and would like me to read your paragraphs to see how you went with your in-text referencing, please do them – I’d love to have a look.
My address is