Principles of Referencing

Principles of Referencing

Referencing strikes fear into the hearts of many students. The topic is strongly emphasised by many lecturers, and blood-curdling threats of draconian [~ very strict] penalties are issued. Students should realise that referencing is a serious business, and failures in referencing may be taken very seriously by any educational institution.

However, when you have realised this, you may relax a little.

It is not easy to produce a perfect reference; but it is only a matter of paying attention - close attention - to detail. The art may be reduced to four Principles of Referencing:

1 Be honest. The reason for the threats is the crime of plagiarism.

2 Make it possible for your reader to find and check any source you have mentioned. This is the best reason for referencing.

3 Use your Department's system - with great care and attention to detail

4 Be consistent