Helpdesk
Referencing in reports, assignments or research that we produce can feel like a time consuming task with little benefit.
But good referencing has benefits for both the reader and the person writing.
Good referencing allows the reader to:
Good referencing allows the writer to:
See also advice for effective note-taking.
Be accurate:
It is important to be consistent when referencing.
When researching material collect the reference information as you look at the items, not at a later date.
Plagiarism is when you copy work or do not acknowledge material adequately.
This can either be deliberate or by accident and includes copying the work of others, or even your own previously written material (self-plagiarism). Proper acknowledgement and referencing helps avoid plagiarism.
When using the ideas, research, concepts or words of others you can do a few things with them - as long as you remember to acknowledge the source!
Keep reading for examples of paraphrasing, summary, quotation and reusing images.
Remember that different styles will have specific rules but these examples offer general advice.
Changes in working pattern can cause staff stress. Good communication from management is one of the keys to helping staff to manage situations of this nature. Clear messaging and guidance is needed so that staff have a framework available to them to manage expectations and find answers to immediate queries.
When you paraphrase you explain someone else's ideas in your own words.
When staff ned to alter their working routines it is important to have advice and guidance at hand to help them manage any changes. Management have a responsibility to provide an adequate level of information for staff to refer to. Any advice or guidance should consider what questions staff may want answers to, along with wider information so staff can plan for the future.
Charles Darwin was born in 1809 and is considered one of the greatest naturalist of the 19th century. Darwin published his ground- breaking book "The Origin of Species' in 1859 following a 5 year voyage aboard the HMS Beagle. The journey took him across four continents and allowed him to observe an unprecedented number of flora and fauna. His book explained his theory of evolution by natural selection. The theory proposed that there was variation within species and those with the facets most suited to the environment would survive and pass on those characteristics to their offspring. This theory challenged the view of the Christian Church regarding the origins of the world and was, and still is in places deeply controversial.
When you summarise you give a short account of other's ideas. They often focus on the main facts and are often shorter than the original material.
In his book ‘The Origin of Species’ Charles Darwin put forward his theory of evolution through natural selection. The theory suggested that organisms with specific characteristics would be more likely to survive and breed than their counterparts, thus passing on those traits.
In Harvard style - if less than three lines (around 25 words) then it can be as part of a sentence. Use inverted commas around the text and place the citation immediately after.
When looking at the facts around dog behaviour it can be seen that most ‘dog owners have the same concerns about specific breeds as the general public’. (Barnard 2001, p.176)
In Harvard style - if longer than three lines (25+ words) then place the quote in a new indented paragraph and omit quotation marks. Introduce the quote with a colon.
Perception on breeds is complex:
Many dog owners have the same concerns about specific breeds as the general public. Breeds such as Labradors are seen as unlikely to inflict harm. Whereas breeds such as American Pit Bull are assumed to be more aggressive. (Barnard 2001, p.176)
You may be able to re-use someone else's diagrams, tables or figures but you must ensure that you acknowledge the source.
Some tables, diagrams or figures do not allow re-use so it is important to check.
A reference (also called a citation) would usually go immediately after the material you have quoted or used.
This is so the reader can see what are your ideas and what material you have used from others.
Lists all the materials you have read, even those that you have not referred to in the text.
Reference list:
Lists the material you have mentioned or referred to in your writings.
There are hundreds of different referencing styles. They outline how you should present the citation in the text, footnote, reference list or bibliography.
This can be very confusing. It is important to check the guide for the referencing style you are using.
Two of the most commonly used styles in healthcare are the Vancouver style and the Harvard style.
Guide to Harvard Referencing produced by Public Health Scotland Knowledge Services
Guide to Vancouver Referencing produced by Public Health Scotland Knowledge Services
30 minute recorded webinar covering the basics of referencing and plagiarism.
Your local NHS Scotland Library Service can help with referencing.
If you are studying as part of a University or College course then the libraries at your institution may have advice and guidance for you.
The Knowledge Network gives health and care staff in Scotland access to RefWorks Management software.
This software helps you to manage your references, create bibliographies and insert references into documents.
These tools are very valuable in larger pieces of work or ongoing research.
Find out more about RefWorks and how to access and use it on The Knowledge Network.