EPQ - Harvard Referencing

Summary

This presentation focuses on the importance and practice of Harvard referencing in academic writing, emphasizing its necessity for avoiding plagiarism and supporting arguments with credible sources. It discusses when to reference, including direct quotes, paraphrasing, and summarizing, and when not to, such as for common knowledge. The speaker advises on proper citation formats and the construction of a reference list, also touching on tools like Microsoft Word for assistance and the value of consulting with supervisors for specific referencing styles.

Takeaways

• 😀 **Harvard Referencing is Common:** It's the most frequently used style in Extended Project Qualifications (EPQs), but always verify with your supervisor for specific requirements.
• 🔍 **Check Specific Styles:** Different fields may require different styles (e.g., Law uses OSCOLA), so it's crucial to know the style applicable to your discipline.
• 🚴 **Practice Makes Perfect:** Like riding a bike, the more you practice referencing, the better you become at it.
• 📚 **Showcase Learning:** Referencing demonstrates your understanding of existing literature, ideas, and knowledge in your subject area.
• 🔑 **Mark Scheme Insights:** Referencing helps highlight the range of sources you've used and shows your ability to identify and use relevant sources.
• 🔎 **Traceability:** Proper referencing allows readers to trace back to the original sources, which is essential for academic integrity and research.
• 🚫 **Avoid Plagiarism:** Correct referencing practices are vital to prevent plagiarism, a critical issue in academic and professional writing.
• ✏️ **When to Reference:** You should reference information, ideas, direct quotes, paraphrases, and summaries of authors' ideas.
• 📈 **Support Your Arguments:** Use referencing to strengthen your arguments by providing evidence from your research.
• 📝 **Direct Quoting:** Direct quotes should be used sparingly and only when necessary for preserving the original meaning or when it significantly supports your argument.

Q & A

What is the most common referencing style used in Extended Project Qualifications?

The most common referencing style used in Extended Project Qualifications is Harvard Referencing.

Why is it important to check with your supervisor about the referencing style?

It's important to check with your supervisor about the referencing style because different subjects or institutions may require different styles, such as OSCOLA for Law students.

What is the analogy used in the script to describe the process of learning to reference?

The process of learning to reference is compared to learning to ride a bike, emphasizing that practice makes it easier over time.

Why do we need to reference in academic writing?

In academic writing, referencing is needed to show what you have learned from existing literature, ideas, and knowledge in your subject area, and to support the ideas and arguments in your work.

What are the practical reasons for referencing in academic work?

Practical reasons for referencing include helping readers trace the sources used, allowing them to access original papers if interested, and helping the writer avoid plagiarism.

When do you need to reference in your work?

You need to reference when you use information or ideas from other sources, take direct quotes, or explain other authors' ideas in your own words (paraphrasing).

What is the significance of directly quoting a text in academic writing?

Directly quoting a text shows the ability to copy a quote accurately, but it should be used only when the meaning will be lost through paraphrasing or when it is crucial for the development of an argument.

How should you reference a source when paraphrasing in Harvard style?

When paraphrasing, you should reference by writing the author's surname and the date of publication in brackets, followed by the page number if available.

What is secondary referencing and how should it be handled in a reference list?

Secondary referencing is when you refer to an original idea that has been discussed by another author. In the reference list, you should provide the bibliographic information for the source you read it from, not the original work.

How should you reference sources with multiple authors in Harvard style?

For sources with two authors, both names should be stated. For three or more authors, the first author's name should be followed by 'et al.' However, in the reference list, all authors' names and initials must be mentioned.

Where should the reference list be placed in an assignment and how should it be organized?

The reference list should be placed at the end of an assignment, before any appendices, and should be in alphabetical order by the surname of the first author or the organization's name.