Dear Doctor ©ite,

I've just started university and I don't understand why I have to put references in my assignments. What's the point of it?

Dear Newbie,

There are many reasons why you need to reference in your academic work. Firstly, it's all about intellectual property - the information, diagrams, or ideas that you are drawing upon belong to someone. Referencing acknowledges, and gives credit to, the source of that information. Secondly, references provide evidence and therefore support your argument. Thirdly, it enables the reader to find your sources if, for example, they wish to do further research.

There is also a fourthly, fifthly, sixthly etc. For further information check out the videos on the Home page or look at the 'why do I need to reference?' page.

Dear Doctor ©ite,

I'm writing an assignment and I'm not sure which information I need to reference. Do I need to reference the information in my course guide or just the books I've been using?

Dear Confused,

You need to reference all of the sources from which you have used information. This includes conversations, websites, books and journals etc. However, it is better to ask your lecturer for the original source of the material in your course guide so that you can consult that directly; this is also the case for lectures.

For more information on what needs referencing and what doesn't, check out the 'what is referencing?' page, and for information on how to reference the sources correctly go to Quick©ite.

Dear Doctor ©ite,

I have to write an essay about environmental hazards. Can I just use stuff off the internet or will I have to go to the library?

Dear Hazardous,

The internet is a wonderful resource but it does have some issues that you need to be aware of. Anybody can post information on the internet and consequently not all of it is valuable, useful or appropriate for academic work. However, some websites, such as government sites or academic institutions, can be very useful sources of information. The key is to take some time to learn how to evaluate websites.

Conversely, print resources from the library are generally critically evaluated and academically accepted. The good news is that these resources can often be accessed online. Many journal articles can be downloaded as pdf's and e-books are now available online.

To learn about evaluating websites, check out the 'Credible Sources Count!' link from the tutorials page.

Dear Doctor ©ite,

I understand that referencing my sources is very important but I'm not sure why there are different styles. What's the difference between APA and MLA?

Dear Unsure,

There isn't really a quick answer to that question. I suggest that you check out the 'which referencing style?' page to find out about this.

To find out the details for how to correctly reference using these styles, check out Quick©ite.

Dear Doctor ©ite,

One of my assignments needs a bibliography and another needs a reference list. Are these just different words for the same thing or is there a difference in the format?

Dear Bob,

No they are not the same thing. A bibliography is a list of all the sources that you have consulted during your research, whether or not you have included information from these sources in your written work. A reference list, on the other hand, is a list of only those sources that you have cited in-text.

For further information check out the 'When do you need to reference?' page.

Dear Doctor ©ite,

I don't seem to have all the details I need for some of the references for my assignment. What do I do now?

Dear Missing-in-Action,

Using the bits that you do have (author's name, title, etc.), look them up in Google Scholar, Google, or any research databases that you have access to. Your search will usually lead you to the full details for that reference, and 'voila' you have the details that you are missing. If all else fails, ask your friendly neighbourhood Librarian for help.

Dear Doctor ©ite,

I'm desperate, I have to hand in my assignment in two hours and I can't figure out how to do this last reference. What do you do if the source is anonymous?

Dear Desperate,

This of course will depend on the referencing style that you are using. Check out Quick©ite for a fast answer to your question. However, may I suggest that you allow more time for this on your next assignment. Collecting, collating and formatting your references correctly can be a very time consuming activity.

Dear Doctor ©ite,

I've got some great information from several websites but I am not very clear on how to reference them properly. Can you help?

Dear Unclear,

This of course will depend on the referencing style that you are using. Check out Quick©ite for this information. Additionally it's important that you carefully assess the validity of the information you are using - remember not everything you read on a website is true!

To learn about evaluating websites, check out Credible Sources Count! - Follow this link to the tutorials page.

Dear Doctor ©ite,

I've mentioned a couple of things in my essay that came from my course notes. How do I reference this information?

Dear Beryl,

This of course will depend on the referencing style that you are using but in general it is better to access the original source of this information. Lecturers often put a reference list at the end of the lecture notes and this should enable you to track down the source. Alternatively you could ask the lecturer directly for the reference. Another option is to see if the information is available in an e-version; you can then reference it as an electronic source. I presume you have already checked your course text book for this information?

For further information on referencing formats, check out Quick©ite.

Dear Doctor ©ite,

I've finished my assignment and I'm just doing the final proofing before handing it in and I was wondering if I should number my reference list. I'm using APA by the way.

Dear Numerically challenged,

The answer is no. The reference list in APA is ordered alphabetically by the first authors surname.

For a more complete answer to your question, check out Quick©ite or see the 'where do you need to reference?' page.

Dear Doctor ©ite,

What does "ibid" mean? I've come across this abbreviation several times and can't figure it out. Any clues?

Dear Clueless,

"ibid" or occasionally "ib" is an abbreviation for the Latin "ibidem" meaning "in the same place". In a reference list it means "in the same work". ibid cannot be used if another reference comes between the ibid citations of the same work.

For more referencing abbreviations, with information on what they mean and when to use them, check out the 'Abbreviations page'.

Dear Doctor ©ite,

I've figured out that "p." obviously is an abbreviation for "page number", but what does "pp." mean? When should I use one p and when should I use two?

Dear PP from P,

"p", you rightly figured out, is an abbreviation for page number. "pp" is simply the plural form; use this when you are referring to several pages such as pp12-14. However, check with your particular referencing systems as some systems use upper case Ps.