University study, writing &/or research requires the constant use of diverse and relevant information sources.
Such information sources will be these (and more);
textbooks | reference books (printed & online) |
journal articles (printed & online) |
lectures |
laws, regulations & Government Reports |
web sites | conference papers | patents & standards |
The type of information used might be;
quotations | ideas or concepts |
background &/or historical materials | statistics |
definitions | theories |
experimental data | images, illustrations, or pictures |
equations, charts or graphs | music (lyrics &/or musical phrases) |
All sources of information (of whatever type) used in or relied upon for Assignments, Essays, Tutorials, Seminars, Presentations, Lab Reports, Group Work, etc.,must be identified in full, and in a clear, accurate and consistent manner.
Academic integrity is founded on the principles of;
Referencing (or citing) is acknowledging the sources of information that you have used in your written work at university (for example, in an essay or a report, or in your thesis).
Citing a reference acknowledges the work of the author you have consulted and enables others to locate the item that you have cited.
Failure to provide proper acknowledgment of your use of another's work constitutes plagiarism.
To cite correctly, you need to use a referencing style: a standardized way of recording the elements of a book or journal article, or website.