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Referencing: What It Is and Why It Matters

Referencing is the process of acknowledging the sources you have used in your academic work. It shows where your ideas, evidence, and quotations come from, and allows readers to trace the sources you have used. By referencing correctly, you demonstrate your engagement with existing research, maintain academic integrity, and avoid plagiarism by giving proper credit whenever you use someone else’s ideas or words.

Which Style Should I Use?

The University of Glasgow does not use one single referencing style. Different subjects and courses may prefer or require specific styles, so it’s important to check your course handbook, Moodle pages, or ask your course convenor to find out which style you should use for each assignment.

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Using Referencing Style Guides

Each referencing style has its own style guide, which explains how to format citations and bibliographies correctly. You are not expected to memorise these rules — style guides exist so you can look things up as you work. Some are available online as websites or PDFs, while others are published manuals available through the Library.

Tips for using Style Guides Effectively

Start with the basics: Look up how to cite the most common sources you use (books, journal articles, chapters).
Use examples: Style guides provide model references—copy their structure and replace the details with your own sources.
Be consistent: Choose the correct style for your course and follow it throughout your assignment.
Check unusual sources: For things like films, artworks, social media, performances, or datasets, look up the specific section in the guide.
Use the guide at the end: When finishing your assignment, review your reference list, checking each entry against the examples.
Don’t rely on memory or guesswork: Always doublecheck formatting—small details like punctuation, italics, or page numbers matter.
Be cautious with automatic tools: Reference generators and AI tools often make mistakes; always verify the output against the official style guide.