At University, you will be expected to communicate your ideas on a topic or issue in order to convince your reader of the validity of your point of view. However, your ideas and arguments will need to be well supported, using scholarly research to do so. This means that you will need to understand how to use the ideas of others correctly.
Referencing others' ideas is important for several reasons:
- it lets your reader know where you found your ideas so that the reader can check the credibility and reliability of your source. You will need to do this whether you have paraphrased or directly quoted.
- referencing ensures that the intellectual work of others is acknowledged. Failure to do this is called plagiarism - plagiarism is viewed very seriously at University.
- referencing ensures that your reader can distinguish between the point you are making, and the material you are using to support or develop your point.
There are some general rules for using and acknowledging the words and ideas of others (referencing). There are also rules, usually to do with referencing style, that are more specific to the academic program in which you are enrolled. You will usually be provided with information about the particular referencing style you are expected to follow.
How can I enhance my skills?
Start by browsing through referencing resources on the Learning skills website or attend a Learning skills referencing workshop.
Read the University 's policy on academic misconduct.
What's expected of me?
- Recognise when I need to let my reader know where I found my ideas
- Apply appropriate referencing styles to acknowledge the words and ideas of others
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