Referencing and bibliography
Introduction
The Quick Guide is based on the Harvard system (also known as author-date system) that is widely used in academic writing.
This document is meant as a guide only. It is important that you check with your teachers the recommended referencing method that you are required to use for your assignments. Whatever referencing method you use the most important aspect is to cite your references in a consistent manner throughout your assignment.
What is referencing?
Referencing is a method of acknowledging sources of information and ideas used in any written assignment such as essays, reports, presentations or research papers in a standardised manner that clearly identifies their source. The information you use will come from a variety of sources including books, journals, newspapers, videos, CD-ROMs, DVDs, databases, tables, pictures or diagrams and information from the Internet.
Harvard author-date referencing system consists of:
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In-text reference or citation - acknowledging the source of information within the text of your assignment.
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A list of references (LOR) or bibliography at end of your assignment giving full details of all the references cited in your assignment.
When to provide a reference?
You must reference all sources in the following instances:
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Direct quotation - quoting the exact words of an author. Enclose in single quotation marks.
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Paraphrasing or putting the work of another writer in your own words.
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Summarising or using ideas or materials directly based on the work of another writer.
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Statistical information such as data, tables, figures, diagrams, maps, illustrations and appendices either taken whole or adapted from another source.
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Images, sound and photographs used.
What if you don't reference?
If you do not provide a reference for these sources then you are plagiarising their work. Plagiarism is a form of cheating and is defined as a deliberate attempt to pass off someone else's ideas, thoughts and writing as your own without acknowledging the sources appropriately. It is a very serious academic offence and constitutes academic misconduct according to TAFE Queensland Student Rules, 2007, p. 8.
What are the steps in referencing?
Note down the full bibliographic details for all sources from which information is taken. Include relevant page numbers if appropriate for in-text references.
Step 1
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For a book, bibliographic details include: author(s)/editor(s), year of publication, title, edition, publisher and place of publication as found on the front and back of the title page. If applicable include title of the series and volume number.
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For a journal article, details required include: author(s) of the article, year of publication, title of the article, title of the journal, volume and issue number of the journal and page numbers of the article.
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For all electronic information, in addition to the above, include the date you accessed the information and the name of the database or the webpage address (URL) if the information was obtained from the Internet.
Step 2
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Insert a brief reference or citation at the appropriate place within the text of your assignment where the information is used. (In-text reference)
Step 3
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Provide a complete list of references/bibliography, arranged alphabetically at the end of your assignment. (List of References (LOR)/Bibliography)
Quick Guide - TBIT Referencing style guide based on Harvard
Books
Author(s) surname(s), Initial(s) year date, Title of publication, Publisher, Place of Publication.
|
Books |
Example of in-text references |
Example of entry for List of References
|
|---|---|---|
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Single author |
"Customer service is essential in the delivery of high quality hospitality"...(Boland 1999, p.11)
|
Boland, JL 1999, Communicating in business, 4th edn, Wiley, Brisbane.
|
|
Two or more authors |
'A recent study has revealed that the use of''...(Cooper, Krever & Vann, 2002) |
Cooper, GS, Krever, E & Vann, RJ 2002, Income taxation: commentary and materials, 4th edn, Australian Tax Practise, Sydney.
|
|
More than three authors |
It has been argued that the Senate (Singleton et al. 2006) |
Singleton, G, Aitkin, D, Jinks, B & Warhurst, J 2006, Australian political institutions, 8th edn, Pearson, Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.
|
|
No author |
As discussed in SBS world guide (2006)... |
SBS world guide: the complete fact file on every country, 2006, 14th edn, Hardie Grant Books, Prahran, Victoria.
|
|
No publication date |
This has been emphasised by Seah (n.d.) |
Seah, R n.d., Micro-computer applications, Microsoft Press, Redmond, Washington. |
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Edited book |
"The importance of good writing" ...(Cope 2006) |
Cope, B (ed.) 2006, The written assignment: a guide to writing and presentation of assignments, rev. edn, QUT, Queensland.
|
|
2nd or later edition |
As defined by Smith (1998)... |
Smith, KP 1998, Dictionary of law, 4th edn, vol. 2, Europa Publications, London.
|
|
Article or chapter in an edited book |
According to Kenny, Fiske and Ife (2002) the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers raise... |
Kenny, MA, Fiske, L & Ife, J 2002, 'Refugees, asylum seekers and the law,' in P.A. Swan, (ed), In the shadow of the law: the legal context of social work practice, 2nd edn, Federation Press, Sydney, pp. 244-253.
|
Electronic Publications
Author(s) surname, Initial(s) year date, Title of document or website, date viewed, <URL>
|
Publications |
Example of In-text Reference |
Example of Entry for List of References
|
|---|---|---|
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Electronic book |
Trochim (2000) maintains that... |
Trochim, WM 2000, The research methods knowledge base, 2nd edn, updated 2 August 2000, viewed 14 November 2001, <http://socialresearchmethods.net/kb/index.htm>
|
|
Website |
Details of the collection are available from the Art Gallery of Queensland website (2003). |
Art Gallery of Queensland 2003, Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, viewed 24 May 2007, <http://www.qag.qld.gov.au>
|
|
WWW document |
According to Pellegrini (2003) Einstein's theories... |
Pellegrini, F 2003, Time 100 Scientists and thinkers: Albert Einstein, viewed 4 January 2007, http://www.time.com/time/time100/scientist/profile/einstein.html
|
Journal Articles - print and online
Author(s) surname, Initial(s) year date, "Title of article", Title of journal, vol no., issue no, page range.
|
Journal Article |
Example of In-text Reference |
Example of Entry for List of References
|
|---|---|---|
|
Single author |
As argued by Phillips (2006, p. 29)... |
Phillips, H 2006, 'Known unknowns', New Scientist, 16 December, pp. 28-31.
|
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With no author |
('Cash risks' 2005) highlights the importance.. |
'Cash risks' 2005, National Safety, vol. 76, no.6, pp. 30-32.
|
|
From a full-text online database |
According to Rapee (2000, p. 125)... |
Rapee, RM 2000, 'Group treatment of children with anxiety disorders: an outcome and predictors of treatment response', Australian Journal of Psychology, vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 125-129, viewed 20 November 2005, APAFT/Informit database.
|
|
Available free on the WWW |
Weiner (2006) discuses a number of examples of innovative educational strategies for preparing nurses for emergency planning and response. |
Weiner, E 2006, 'Preparing nurses internationally for emergency planning and response', The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, vol. 11, no. 3, viewed 29 January 2007, <http://www.nursingworld.org/ojin/topic31/tpc31_3.htm>
|
Special Publications and Materials
|
Publications |
Example of In-text Reference |
Example of Entry for List of References
|
|---|---|---|
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Conference paper (published in a proceeding) |
The subject of marketing and the internet by DuPont (2001) shows... |
DuPont, B 2001, 'Marketing and the internet: implications for managers', Proceedings of the third annual Australian Marketing Association, Melbourne, Australian Marketing Association, Melbourne, Australia, pp. 44-46.
|
|
Conference paper presented at a conference |
In her paper Sawer (2006) focuses on... |
Sawer, H 2006, 'One fundamental value: work for the dole participants' views about work and mutual obligation', paper presented at Road to Where?: The politics and practice of implementing Welfare-to-Work conference, Brisbane, 17-18 July.
|
|
Videorecording |
According to Effective meeting participation (1992)... |
Effective meeting participation 1992, video recording, Videotrain, Melbourne.
|
|
Pamphlet or brochure |
According to Online resources, publications, training (2001) a number of resources reveal... |
Online resources, publications, training, 2001, Australian Copyright Council, Redfern, NSW
|
|
Radio program |
As stated by Dr...(The health report, 1996) |
The health report, 1996, radio program, ABC Radio National, Sydney, 5 October
|
For more detailed information and examples refer to the booklet TBIT Referencing style guide based on Harvard available from the Library desk.


