social sciences

GENERAL INTRODUCTION
The main referencing system used by ARU is the Harvard style of
referencing.
This is the revised edition for the guide compiled by the University Library.
Sources quoted in this guide have been compiled and shown in red for the
purposes of illustration only. Any similarity with published work is
coincidental.
In-text referencing examples are included for additional help where
appropriate.
This guide has been compiled with reference to a number of British
Standards. The most recent being BS ISO 690:2010 Information and
documentation – guidelines for bibliographic references and citations to
information resources
The layout has been informed by Harvard style conventions currently
being followed in UK Universities.
1.1 What is referencing
Why do I need to provide references in my work?
• By providing a reference to the original source you are
acknowledging that you have read the work and recognise the
original author(s) ideas.
• To enable the reader to locate where you obtained each quote or
idea.
• To demonstrate that you have read widely and deeply.
• To show anyone who reads your work that you understand the topic
and can demonstrate your own thoughts on this.
How do I provide references in my work?
This guide provides detailed information on how to provide references in a
variety of different circumstances.
• Remember to be consistent in the way you record your references.8
• In the Harvard system there are two steps
• Identify the author(s) and year of publication of the source you are
using – for your in-text citation or reference.
• Provide the full details of the reference in a list at the end of your
piece of work. Arrange this list – by author(s) – in alphabetical order.
Academic Honesty
It is good academic practice to acknowledge sources you have used for
compiling a piece of work. It is important that you do not pass off the work
of others, as your own. Failing to reference appropriately could result in
your assessors thinking you are guilty of plagiarism – the act of using
somebody else’s work or ideas as your own. You will find information
relating to academic honesty in various student documentation including
module guides and student handbooks.
The university has recently introduced Turnitin to assist you in identifying
where you have used original material so that you can ensure it is correctly
referenced in your submission.
1.2 The Harvard System at ARU
There are many systems for the citation of references, most Faculties at
ARU expect students to use the Harvard system which is a name and date
reference system.
This is supported by the University policy relating to academic honesty.
Student handbooks for both undergraduate and postgraduate students
refer to the University Library Harvard Guide for guidance. Students
should however check the relevant guidelines for their subject within the
Faculty.
For more information see the University Library website at:
library.aru.ac.uk/referencing/Harvard.htm
In the Harvard system, the author’s surname and year of publication are
cited in the text of your work. The full details of the source are included in
a reference list at the end of the assignment. This system does not use
footnotes or endnotes. We do not recommend the use of Latin phrases
such as ibid…students wishing to use these should check the relevant
guidelines for their subject within the Faculty.9
Examples of in-text citations
“An effective structure is important” (Redman, 2006, p.22)
… the structure of an essay can be effective and support
comprehension (Redman, 2006) for the reader and…
Redman has noted that the structure of and essay can assist
comprehension (2006) and
Reference list
Redman, P., 2006. Good essay writing: a social sciences guide. 3rd ed.
London: Open University in assoc. with Sage.
1.3 Reference list or Bibliography
The reference list should include details for everything that you cite in
your assignment. It should be in alphabetical order by author with all the
different types of material in one sequence (See Section 3.1 for further
details).
Some Departments may ask you to produce a Bibliography. This is a list
of relevant items that you have used to help you prepare for the
assignment but which are not necessarily cited in your text, e.g. general
background reading to familiarise yourself with the topic.
A reference list is always required when you cite other people’s work
within your assignment.
The terms reference list and bibliography are sometimes used
interchangeably. Make sure that you know what is required from you
before you complete your assignment.
An annotated bibliography includes the full reference to sources with the
addition of notes, which summarise and evaluate the source and will be of
variable length, depending on the assessment this may be an independent
project or part of a larger research project.10
1.4 Word Counts