Citing and Referencing

An essential aspect of writing essays and dissertations is the referencing (or citing) of ALL source material. This includes the obvious references such as books, journals monographs, less obvious sources like maps, newspapers, theses, brochures, radio, TV etc and increasingly the Internet. There are two parts to a reference, the point in the text where the reference occurs and the actual reference itself, listed at the end of the document.

There are two main systems of citing references, the Harvard system (also known as the Author-date system) and the British Standard (or numeric system). Both are acceptable but in the Humanities which includes the arts the British Standard system is preferred as the in text reference style is less intrusive.

The main difference between the two systems is the way the reference is cited within the body of your text. There is very little difference in the way the reference is written

Harvard System - Jones (2008, p45) where you are using the name of the author in your text or (Jones, 2008, p45) where you are just referencing the author.

British Standard System - you would cite the reference by using a number in the form (5), [5], or superscript 5. The reference is then added to your work as a footnote or endnote

In the endnotes of bibliography the reference would be constructed as follows:-

Harvard System

For a book:-

• Author(s)
• Initials
• Date
• Title of book (in italic)
• Publisher
• Place of publication
• Total number of pages

Eg. - Jones J.K. 2008. Art in 20th Century, London: Pergamon

For a Journal:-

• Author(s)
• Initials
• Date in ( ) brackets
• Title of article in "quotation marks"
• Title of journal in italic
• Volume (part number, month or season)
• Page reference eg. pp. 250-300

Eg. - Parker A.J.(2008)"A Way of Seeing" Art Review. 25(June) pp.1-22

British Standard System

For a book:-

• Author(s)
• Initials
• Title of book (in italic)
• Place of publication:
• Publisher
• Date

Eg. - Jones J.K.Art in 20th Century.London:Pergamon, 2008

For a Journal:-

• Author(s)
• Initials
• Title of article in "quotation marks"
• Title of journal in italic
• Volume (part number, month or season)
• Date (Year)
• Page reference eg. pp. 250-300

Eg - Parker A.J."A Way of Seeing" Art Review.1(June), 2008, pp.1-22

Referencing the Internet is a particularly complex area due to the wide variation of source material. To explain the process is too much for this brief introduction. I would advise that you consult the reference I have cited below.

You should find out which system your college or university would prefer you to use and then ensure you apply it consistently.

For full and frank explanation of how to reference any conceivable source I would recommend an excellent publication "Cite them right" the Essential guide to referencing and plagiarism. Oh yes plagiarism, now there is a "tin of worms". You would do to read learn and inwardly digest before you put pen to paper.

Students are advised to record their sources as they consult them rather than trying to remember the source after you have finished their piece of work. Keep a notebook handy.

The book can be obtained from Amazon for the princely sum of £5.49 although the Library copy I have, is priced at £4.99

"Cite them right The essential guide to referencing and plagiarism"
Richard Pears and Graham Shields
ISBN: 0-9551216-04
Stonebrook Print and Design Services Ltd
2005

REFERENCE
Pears R. & Shields G. "Cite them right. The Essential guide to referencing and plagiarism", Newcastle: Stonebrook Print and Design Services Ltd, 2005.

Bournmouth University