Harvard Referencing

Proper citation is a key element in academic scholarship and intellectual exchange. When we cite we:

• show respect for the work of others

• help a reader to distinguish our work from the work of others who have contributed to our work

• give the reader the opportunity to check the validity of our use of other people’s work

• give the reader the opportunity to follow up our references, out of interest

• show and receive proper credit for our research process

• demonstrate that we are able to use reliable sources and critically assess them to support our work

• establish the credibility and authority of our knowledge and ideas

• demonstrate that we are able to draw our own conclusions

• share the blame (if we get it wrong)

As creators/authors, we are expected to acknowledge any materials or ideas that are not ours and that have been used in any way, such as quotation, paraphrase or summary. The term “materials” means written, oral or electronic products, and may include the following:

• Text            • Visual            • Audio            • Graphic            • Artistic            • Lectures            • Interviews            • Conversations         • Letters       • Broadcasts   • Maps 

Basic and common knowledge within a field or subject does not need to be acknowledged. However, if we are in doubt whether the source material is common knowledge or not, we should cite!