Library Basics Week 8: Referencing sources correctly
When you’re just starting out at uni, referencing might be totally new for you. Or, if you’ve done coursework previously, you might have gotten feedback that your skills in this area need development. Let’s explore the basics of why and how you should reference. When you’re ready for more in-depth information, make sure you bookmark and browse the Deakin guide to referencing.
Why reference?
- Referencing is a way of acknowledging the ideas and work of others that you use as supporting evidence in your writing.
- Referencing shows the extent to which you have done your research, critically engaged with sources and used them to support or inform your ideas.
- Referencing provides your reader or teacher with details about your sources of information and where they can be found.
Referencing in context
Books, articles, podcasts, videos and webpages are just some of the sources you’ll use in your study. You need to signpost every time a source has informed or been included in your writing.
You must:
- Make it clear when you are summarising, paraphrasing or directly quoting the source to support the statement or argument you are putting forward.
- Provide an in-text citation in your writing each time you use a source (this could be multiple times in one paragraph).
- Provide a corresponding entry in a reference list at the end of your document.
Referencing styles
Check your unit guide for instructions, as different disciplines, faculties and units use different styles of referencing.
How can I make sure I am referencing correctly?
Deakin has a referencing guide that provides extensive information and examples on how to reference different information types in a range of referencing styles. We recommend bookmarking this guide, as you will want to refer to it (no pun intended) throughout your studies.
Citing and referencing Indigenous knowledges
Students are encouraged to consider incorporating Indigenous knowledges and perspectives into their course work. The Indigenous Knowledge Attribution Toolkit (IKAT) has been designed to assist with citing and referencing such sources. The IKAT also guides you on how to critically analyse and reference materials created by Indigenous authors or those that cite Indigenous knowledge.
Further help and support for referencing
To learn more about how to integrate your sources into your writing and reference correctly, check out this very handy Introduction to Referencing module.
For those trickier referencing, reach out to the Study Support team.
Are you in your first trimester at Deakin or returning to study after a break? We’ve got you covered. Each week, we’re sharing a tip, tool or service we think you should know about. The Library is key to your success at uni – make the most of everything we have to offer by following our Library Basics series.
Next week’s Library Basics blog will cover our tips for preparing for your first exams and end-of-year assessments. Subscribe to Article to get the latest blogs from Deakin Library directly in your inbox.