References
Below I shall be giving some basic pointers
to using the Harvard system, although you may already be familiar with
the Numeric system, and either is acceptable. There are two parts to referencing,
citing the source or quoting within the text and compiling the references
in a bibliography in order that the reader may easily trace the source.
Remember that if you do not record the fact that you are quoting from other
peoples work, you could be accused of plagiarism, which is taken seriously
in academic circles since it is a form of theft.
Citations
This is easy, since all you need to do
is mention the author:
-
The report by James (1984) highlights the
fact….
-
It has been argued (James, 1984) that the
results show…
-
…the results indicate that the reverse may
be true (see James,1984).
If you are citing more than one piece of work
by the same author in the same year, put letters after the dates:
-
James (1984a) and James (1984b).
Quotation
There are some points to remember when using
direct quotations.
-
The actual quotation should be enclosed in
quotation marks and page numbers should be included:
-
James (1984,p.73) believed that the ‘totally
unexpected results’ were due to..
-
If you have added your own words to the quotation
to make it clearer, enclose them in square brackets [], and indicate any
omissions by dotted lines…..
-
James (1984,p.73) argued ‘…it is highly possible
that [the results] indicate a failure to recognise all the possible variables….’.
-
Occasionally, you may quote a long passage
from another piece of work, if so indent the whole passage or quotation
and cite the reference at the end of the passage.
Bibliography
(or References)
These are listed in alphabetical order
by author, with the author’s name in capitals. It is normal to reference
multiple authors of three or less, but it is acceptable to use ‘et al.’
for four or more. It is usually acceptable to use ‘et al.’ within
the text itself. The reference should be set out as follows:
-
AUTHOR (Date). Title. Edition. Place:
Publisher
-
JAMES, F., (1984) Using Direct and
Indirect Suggestions. 2nd ed. London: Oxford Press
-
JAMES, F., WILLIAMS,C., (1985) etc.
-
JAMES, F., et al., (1986) etc.
You may not need to put in the edition if
there has only been one, but you may need to put in the volume number (vol.3).
If necessary, page numbers (pp.286-288) go at the end.
Journal articles are slightly different:
-
AUTHOR (Date) Article title. Journal title,
volume (part), pages.
-
JAMES, F., (1989) Direct Suggestions. The
European Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Vol.6, pt.2, pp.69-73.
Note that you can leave out the vol., pt.,
and pp., so the end would read: 6(2), 69-73.
If a month is used it can be abbreviated.
Secondary sources: You may not have
actually read the original work, but have referred to it from a secondary
source. In the text itself you can indicate this by something like:
-
‘Erickson(1960, as cited by James, 1990) argues
that…’
In your bibliography or reference list it
is sufficient to put a reference to James as this is the work you have
read.
Other points to note:
-
Sometimes the material will not have an author
as such but an editor(s), here it is acceptable to put ed(s). after the
name.
-
If the book does not appear to have an author
put ‘Anon’
-
If you cannot find the place or the publisher
use:
-
(s.l.) for place unknown (sine loco)
-
(sn.) for name unknown (sine nomine)
Referencing is not really as difficult
as it first seems, and when all else fails, look at the literature you
have been using in order to remind you of the correct way to cite and reference
material. Make life easier and make a note of the references as you work,
it will save a lot of time at the end when you struggle to go through your
essay to list them and then find the information needed in the literature.
And remember to include them with your
work! You will lose marks if you do not include a reference list or bibliography.
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