Why we reference and why you need to use your brain as well as a referencing website

Referencing is easy using a computer

This is true, but it doesn’t mean you can’t, or shouldn’t, use books. Referencing a book can require less typing, as the required information is less than that compared to a source of information you find online. That’s because with an online source of information, you have to say both where you found the information, and importantly when you found it. 

Can you see why that’s important? A book can be reissued and contain different or updated information, but as books take so long to write, prepare, and print, the new version will undoubtedly be printed in a different year. This means that the information you use will be the same for anyone who can find the same book. However, as you know, the internet is being updated all the time, and information changes regularly. What you find today might be different to what your friend sees on the same page tomorrow. This is why it is important to note the date when you find something online, and an online reference needs more information in a Reference section than a book does.

Referencing online information can be made easier by using a (often free) tool like citethisforme.com, as you can copy and paste the page’s URL and the citethisforme page can give you a formatted reference the style used by your school or college (see below to understand what referencing style means). Great! Easy! 

Well, this isn’t always the case. Science teachers (and university lecturers) see an incredible amount of references by Anonymous, Wikipedia, Google, and people with their names in the wrong order. So, as with everything on the internet, use the tools but use your brain at the same time. 

Your Reference List should use the authors' last names (surnames) or the name of the Organisation/Website. 

Your Reference List should never have a source's name as Anonymous,  Wikipedia, or Google!

Let’s just be clear why references by Anonymous, Wikipedia, and Google are wrong: 

• A reference must always have a name (whether this is a person, group of people, organisation, or website) so Anon. or Anonymous should not appear in any reference list; it is best to read and use the original text wherever possible, 

• Wikipedia is a place where people put together information from lots of different sources but it is all referenced, so you can go to the original source, read and reference them. Also, remember anyone can write on Wikipedia, so although it has high standards and it is a good place to go to get an overview of a new topic, it should be used with some caution and the original sources always consulted. 

• Google is a search engine, a tool to find information. It doesn’t have any information on it, it just helps you to find the information you’re looking for, so no (often overly long!) Google links should appear in any reference list.

Now you have considered why even a computer-generated Reference list can be wrong, just make sure you have an example of what one of your references should look like, depending on which style you have to use, and even if you have to edit the references a website like citethisforme has generated, you won’t be dropping any marks.

Which Referencing style should I use?

What is a referencing style? Well, you will be surprised to learn that not everyone can agree on the best way to present the information of where they find information! 

Although all Referencing styles must contain the same details (Who wrote it, When it was written, Where you found it, and When you found it [if online]), how those details are written down depends on what Referencing style your school/college/university uses. 

The differences will affect how you write the Reference section, and how you show where you found the information in the text. Some examples of the main styles are APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and Vancouver. 

Each style has its own guidelines for citing sources within the text and in the reference list or bibliography. The choice of which style to use normally depends on the preferences of the school, university, or publisher. It's important to use the same style throughout a piece of writing to ensure accuracy and avoid plagiarism.

The format for each type of source (book, journal article, website, etc.) is slightly different and should be followed closely to ensure accuracy. Additionally, titles of articles and books should be italicized, while titles of shorter works like journal articles or book chapters should be placed in quotation marks. 

Finally, it's important to note that APA style APA style includes guidelines for formatting the paper itself, including margins, font size and type, and headings. It's important to consult a current edition of the APA manual or online resources for specific guidelines and updates.

Abbreviations should be used for journal titles and the first six authors of a work should be listed followed by "et al." if there are more than six authors. When citing online sources, it is important to include the date accessed and URL or DOI if available.

Common Referencing styles comaprison table:

Referencing is an important part of academic writing because it shows where writers found the information they used. This shows that the work is well-informed and credible, which is essential in academic writing. 

Correct and complete references and citations show that the writer has conducted thorough research, read widely on their topic, and engaged with relevant literature. Additionally, referencing enables readers to find the information themselves and make their own judgement on its credibility and reliability. 

Importantly, referencing helps writers avoid plagiarism by giving credit where it is due and distinguishing their own work from that of others. 

Overall, referencing is an essential part of academic writing that promotes accuracy, accountability, and intellectual integrity. Therefore, mastering referencing skills is essential for anyone who wants to produce high-quality and original work that impresses readers and gets top marks!

If you have a specific question or you really struggle with when to Referencve and how to do it, get specialised, personalised help by clicking below: