Academic Integrity Toolkit

There are many different styles of referencing. By making sure you are using the correct style for your assignment - and using it correctly - you show your marker that you can write with accuracy and rigour, and take responsibility for your work.

Why are different styles used?

Different academic disciplines use different types of source: for instance, in Law you may use legal cases, reports and constitutional papers; in English Literature you will be working with primary texts and secondary criticism; in Psychology you may have to read many primary research papers. Referencing styles are chosen that best deal with these sources.

How do I know which style to use?

Check your course handbook first – you should be able to find it on Blackboard. If it’s not clear, ask your course tutor. Note that Harvard, which is the most commonly used style, does not have a single definite format for setting out full citations. Your tutor or School may ask you to follow a particular format: if not, decide how you are going to set yours out and be consistent.

How do the styles differ?

Can't I just use a program to do the referencing for me?

There are lots of reference management programs available for free online, but it's important that you understand how to use referencing systems first. Otherwise you might enter the wrong information, and won't know if the resulting citation is incorrect.

If you decide to use a program, it's better to choose one that's supported by your university. That way you can get help if you need it, and can be sure that your references won't disappear just when you need them! At the University of Reading, the Library supports EndNote and Mendeley. There is more information, guides and training sessions on the website.

I’m taking modules in different departments and this is very confusing!

When you start writing at university, you will need to learn new (more detailed) ways to use references whether you are studying in a single department or more than one. Just be careful to check which style is used when you start writing each assignment and find out how it might differ from other styles you use.

To cite correctly, you must have all the details. Sometimes it is not clear where to find them, or they have been mislaid. It may be tempting to invent details or use the material without acknowledging the source, but you should never do this – it is academic misconduct. 
 

Where do I find the details?

I’ve got a great bit of information: but I don’t know where it came from! 

Use what you have to search for the missing details…

• If you have a lengthy phrase or sentence, try searching for the quote in Google. Put it in quotation marks (“ ”) to get the most relevant search results. If you know it’s a book, try Google Books: or for a journal article, Google Scholar.
• If you know the title of a book but no more, check the Library catalogue. Even if it’s out on loan, you will be able to check the details (though not page numbers). If you didn’t borrow it from the Library at Reading, you could try a global bibliographic database like WorldCat.
• If you borrowed the book from the Library, you may be able to jog your memory by looking at your borrowing record on My Account (currently in Unicorn only).
• If you know the title of a journal article try Summon, or one of the databases available through the Library webpages. Try the databases you usually use first, then a general one covering all subjects or look for a subject specific one.
• If you’re not sure of the title, check your reading list to see if it jogs your memory. Or trace your reading back – it may be something cited by another author.
• If it’s a total mystery, you could try asking a librarian to help. They can’t work miracles, but they’ll do their best. The Liaison Librarian for your subject will be the best person to try as they will be more familiar with the texts commonly used in your field.

Remember: if you don’t have the details, you can’t cite it correctly – and if you can’t cite it correctly, you can’t use it!