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The mechanics of referencing can be learnt and applied quite easily by following the recommended referencing style guide in your discipline
Referencing is a system used in theses, exam papers and assignments to indicate where evidence, ideas, theories, facts, or any other information was found. Students often complain about difficulties when referencing. Most of the time the problems can be avoided if you understand several important principles:
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What is in-text referencing?
Every time you mention someone else’s ideas in your thesis, exam paper and assignment, you need to indicate where this information was found. You can use direct or indirect citations for this purpose. Please note that the use of quotation marks and page numbers for in-text referencing in your discipline can be different from the examples below.
| Direct in-text citation in the American Psychological Association (APA) style looks like this: Nicholls (2014) argues that there are "currently several economic imperatives dictating the implementation of educational policy” (p.105)." Indirect summarised or rephrased in-text citation in the APA style looks like this: Brown (2013) maintains that parents are the primary influence on a child’s learning and development. |
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This slide explains how in-text references are linked to the list at the end of your assignment – they should match. There are exceptions but they depend on the style of referencing in your discipline. The example below is based on the APA style of referencing.
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Make sure that your in-text and end-of-text references match.
Remember that you do not have to remember every little detail all the time. Useful links on the referencing style required in your discipline are one click away.
Be systematic from the start – record and save what you have read. Remember that proper mechanics of referencing can be one of the assignment marking criteria.
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Useful links on mechanics of referencing
Citing and referencing guide, Monash University Citing and referencing tutorial, Monash University Re:cite guide, University of Melbourne
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