Page 93 - EDU_Programme_Handbook_2015

APPENDICES

What is referencing?

At its most basic referencing is used to demonstrate to your readers that you have conducted a thorough and
appropriate literature search, and reading. Equally, referencing is an acknowledgement that you have used
the ideas and written material belonging to other authors in your own work. Perhaps most importantly, and
different from a scientific style, when writing in an academic way about a qualitative subject like education
arguments and narratives consist of ideas from many authors often with your particular interpretation of these
ideas. This type of work is best referenced in the Harvard style, which shows authors’ names (& year and for
quotes page numbers) in the text helps the reader make sense of how the argument develops.

Why should I reference?

Referencing is crucial to proper academic writing in all styles but be aware that the style and approach to
referencing in Education may be different from the one you are used to in your primary discipline, particularly if
you come from a scientific or engineering background.

• Accurate referencing is a key component of good academic practice and enhances the presentation of
your work: it shows that your writing is based on knowledge and informed by appropriate academic
reading.

• You will ensure that anyone reading your work can trace the sources you have used in the development
of your work, and give you credit for your efforts and quality.

• When writing in an ‘Educational style’ and building a narrative/argument from multiple ideas and
contexts and showing how they are relevant to your thesis it is imperative to keep track of this process
and train of thought by proper referencing.

• Your marks will reflect not just the content of your assignments but the sources you use and how you
use and reference them.

• If you do not acknowledge another writer’s work or ideas, you could be accused of plagiarism.

Referencing using the Harvard style

There are three main things to consider when referencing, citing the reference in the text, quoting from a
reference in the text and correctly citing it and lastly writing the reference list and possibly a bibliography.

While most of you will be used to writing references, often in a style dependent on the journal you may be
writing for, citing and quoting in Education is very different from the scientific disciplines.

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