Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

1. This chapter presents a range of questions that students most frequently ask about referencing.

   • What is the difference between references and a bibliography?
     • A bibliography is a list of everything you consulted in preparation for writing an assignment
       • When should I use page numbers in my in-text citations?
         • Only the MLA style of referencing shows page numbers as an integral part of the citation.
           • Single topic books Many single subject books often have a main or dominant message, perspective or argument that forms the essential core or essence of the book.
             • Other books and sources The same comments for books on a single topic apply for other sources. If the reader will struggle to find precisely what you looked at without the benefit of page numbers
           • The author of the book I read mentions another author. I want to refer to this other author. How do I reference this?
             • This is called secondary referencing. Typically, you will be reading a chapter in a book and the author will mention an interesting piece of research done by someone else, or provide a useful fact for your assignment
   • How do I cite work from an author that has published more than once in the same year?
     • Within the name–date Harvard and APA styles you use letters a, b, c and onward in your citations to differentiate between the different sources
       • In the references/bibliography, you would then link the two different sources to the citation
         • How do I cite in my assignment where an author has written different books, but has made similar points in each?
           • With the name–date Harvard and APA styles you might on occasions want to refer to two or more books that an author has written in a single citation – as the author may have presented the same argument on more than one occasion
   • How do I cite and reference works written and edited by more than one author?
     • This depends on the style of referencing. A distinction also needs to be made about what happens in the in-text citation, and in the full reference.
       • In the citation: if a document has one to three authors, their names should be given in the citation.
         • I read a book in my own (non-English) language. Do I give you an English translation of the title in the full reference?
           • You should give details of the source you looked at, which will include the title and author, in the language concerned.
             • What punctuation and capitalization style should I use in referencing?
               • In all referencing styles, except IEEE and MHRA, stops are usually shown after each integral part of the full reference.

2. The source has no date. How can I reference this?

   • Older books may not show a date of publication. In that event, state ‘no date’ in your citation and in the reference, or use an abbreviation
     • How do I cite sources where no author’s name is shown?
       • Books If a book has no author or editor name shown on the title page, you can cite and reference by starting with the title and list the source alphabetically
         • Magazine/journals/newspapers If no author’s name is shown, British Standard recommends citing and starting the reference within the Harvard and British Standard numerical styles with the ‘originator’s’ name
           • Internet sources • Do not put a www address as a citation in the text, unless there is no other way of identifying the originator of the site/source

3. Can I use abbreviations in references?

   • Abbreviations in the text of assignments are not generally encouraged by tutors, except in scientific and technical writing
   • I have noticed that some writers cite more than one author occasionally in support of a particular argument or point of view. When and why should I do this?
     • A number of authors can be cited in support of particularly key or important points that you want to make, or to support contentious statements or arguments presented by others.
       • Are quotations and citations in the text counted in the assignment word count?
         • Normally, yes, although check with your institution on this, as some courses may have decided differently.

4. How do I cite sources recorded on microfiche/ microfilm/microform?

   • Sources that have been photographed and stored on microfilm are referenced as for the original item, e.g. book, journal, map, etc.
     • I have noticed that both parentheses ( ) and squared brackets [ ] are sometimes used in full references. Why is this?
       • Although British Standard does not show the year in brackets, it has become an accepted hybrid practice in Harvard style referencing to enclose the year of publication