A guide to Harvard Referencing

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to Harvard Referencing, an essential skill for academic writing. Proper citation not only gives credit to original authors but also enhances the credibility of your work. In this guide, we will cover how to cite various sources, including books, journals, and websites, following the Harvard style.

Step 1: Understanding Harvard Referencing

• Harvard Referencing is an author-date system used in academic writing.
• It consists of two main components:
  • In-text citations: Brief references within the text that direct readers to the full citation.
  • Reference list: A complete list of all sources cited, typically at the end of your document.

Practical Tips

• Always include the author's surname and the year of publication for in-text citations.
• Ensure your reference list is alphabetized by the author's surname.

Step 2: Citing Books

To reference a book in Harvard style, follow this format:

• Format: Author(s) Last name, First initial(s). (Year) Title of the book. Edition (if not the first). Place of publication: Publisher.

Example

For a book by John Smith published in 2020:

• In-text citation: (Smith, 2020)
• Reference list entry: Smith, J. (2020) Understanding Harvard Referencing. 2nd ed. London: Academic Press.

Common Pitfalls

• Ensure the title of the book is italicized.
• Double-check the spelling of the author's name and publication year.

Step 3: Citing Journal Articles

To reference a journal article, use the following format:

• Format: Author(s) Last name, First initial(s). (Year) 'Title of the article', Title of the Journal, Volume number(Issue number), Page range.

Example

For an article by Jane Doe published in 2021:

• In-text citation: (Doe, 2021)
• Reference list entry: Doe, J. (2021) 'Researching Effective Study Techniques', Journal of Academic Skills, 15(3), pp. 45-60.

Practical Tips

• Use single quotation marks for the article title.
• Include the page range of the article.

Step 4: Citing Websites

When referencing a website, the format is as follows:

• Format: Author(s) Last name, First initial(s). (Year) Title of the webpage. Site name. Available at: URL (Accessed: Date).

Example

For a webpage by the University of Derby:

• In-text citation: (University of Derby, 2023)
• Reference list entry: University of Derby. (2023) A guide to Harvard Referencing. Available at: http://www.derby.ac.uk/studyskills (Accessed: 1 October 2023).

Common Pitfalls

• Always include the full URL.
• Make sure to note the date you accessed the webpage.

Conclusion

Mastering Harvard Referencing is crucial for academic success. Remember to use the correct formats for citing books, journal articles, and websites, ensuring that all entries in your reference list are complete and accurate. As you continue your studies, refer back to this guide to maintain proper citation practices, enhancing the quality and credibility of your academic work.