Referencing: An Introduction

Referencing: An Introduction

Referencing is a way to provide evidence to support the assertions and claims in your own assignments. By citing experts in your field, you are demonstrating the extent of your reading and research. Referencing is also a way to give credit to the writers from whom you have borrowed words and ideas. References must be accurate, allowing your readers to trace the sources of information you have used. The best way to make sure you reference accurately is to keep a record of all the sources you used when reading and researching for an assignment.

 

What is a Reference or citation?

  • An acknowledgement that you have referred to (cited) information from published sources in your own work.
  • In other words, recognition that you have borrowed other people’s work, ideas or opinions.
  • Can include citations of printed, digital or verbal material

 

Why Reference?

  • Shows the marker that you have researched.
  • Shows that you have used published evidence to support your own ideas/argument/point of view or give examples
  • Helps you avoid Plagiarism - using other people’s work and ideas as your own, or reusing your own work, without acknowledgement
  • Protects copyright
  • Helps others to trace your information sources
  • Expected part of the marking scheme

 

When to Reference

  • A particular theory, argument or viewpoint
  • Statistics, examples, case studies
  • “Direct quotations” - writer’s exact words. Use sparingly – no more than 15% of your word limit.
  • Paraphrasing or summaries

 

How to Reference

There are various systems for referencing:

  • In Theological studies at Morling we use a note-bibliography (footnote) referencing system based on the Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition.
  • In Counselling and Education studies at Morling we use an author-date, in text, referencing system called the APA 6th Edition.

Citing sources quoted in another source

At times you will find a quote or details of a text quoted or significantly referred to in a secondary text. That is, you read TEXT A (by Author 1) and it includes information about TEXT B (by author 2). What do you do?

  • If possible, find TEXT B. This will allow you to check that TEXT A has correctly represented TEXT B, and allow you to incorporate this content in your assignment. Always try to find the original source. Once you have the original source you can use this text directly in your referencing.
  • If you don't have the original source (TEXT B) you can still use it. Include information in the body of your essay to indicate that you are using a secondary source. Even though you have not read the quoted source you must acknowledge the original source of the information. You can do this by doing the following:
    • Author 1 (TEXT A) uses author 2 (TEXT B) to argue that ....
    • Author 2 (TEXT B) (cited in TEXT A or cited by Author 1) believes.....
  • In your footnote (or in-text citation) use the details of TEXT A. TEXT A should also be included in your Bibliography/Reference List.  Only the work you have read should appear in the bibliography at the end of the work.

Are there times when I don’t have to reference?

  • when you are writing your own observations (for example, a report on a mission trip) - unless this has been published elsewhere (see Self-plagiarism information)
  • when you are writing about your own experiences (for example, a reflective journal) - unless this has been published elsewhere (see Self-plagiarism information)
  • when you are writing your own thoughts, comments or conclusions in an assignment.
  • when you are evaluating or offering your own analysis (for example, parts of a critical review)
  • when you are using ‘common knowledge’ (facts that can be found in numerous places and are likely to be known by a lot of people). This will vary in different subjects. If in doubt, ask your lecturer.