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Research Methodology: Referencing

What is Referencing?

When you write any paper, assignment, you are required to refer to the work of other authors. Each time you do so, it is necessary to identify their work by making reference to it— both in the text of your assignment and in a list at the end of your assignment. This practice of acknowledging authors is known as referencing.  References must be provided whenever you use someone else’s opinions, theories, data or organization of material. You need to reference information from books, articles, videos, computers, other print or electronic sources, and personal communications. 

Importance of Referencing

  • Used to avoid plagiarism
  • If readers want it provides original source
  • Helps to Improve writing skills
  • It makes your arguments authentic.
  • Shows that you have read widely.
  • Can be helpful in getting good scores in exam

Popular Referencing Styles

  • APA: (American Psychological Association) used for Education, Psychology, and Sciences
  • Chicago/Turabian:  used for Business, History, and the Fine Arts
  • Harvard: Author-Date referencing style
  • MLA: (Modern Language Association) is used for the Humanities
  • Vancouver: (Numbered Referencing Style) used for Medicine

Related Books