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To reference or not to reference that is the question

One of the confusing aspects of academic writing is that although you are not meant to include your own opinion in your writing, you are meant to include your own ideas, interpretations and views, based on the evidence you have put forward.

You do not need to reference your own ideas, interpretations, analysis or views.

Also, you do not need to reference what is known as common knowledge. This is information which is widely known and documented in many places - for example, that Britain is a democracy.

Look at the list below, then decide whether you need to cite a reference or not. If you think you do need to reference, explain what you would do. Please note the examples used in the questions below all follow the Harvard style of referencing.

1
Do you need to reference it?

You are quoting some statistics about average UK income from a Government website.

a)
b)

Yes that is correct, you did not collect the statistics yourself, so you need to show where they came from and would include the following details in your reference:

- The Government department which produced the statistics

- The date for the information

- The full web address for the page the statistics appeared on

- The date you accessed the information, although this information is not always required - check your referencing guidelines. For example:

Great Britain. Department of Health (2004) Population estimates. Available at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=6 (Accessed: 16 March 2006)

That is incorrect, you do need to reference. You did not collect the statistics yourself, so you need to show where they came from. You would therefore need to reference:

- The Government department which produced the statistics

- The date for the information

- The full web address for the page the statistics appeared on

- The date you accessed the information although this information is not always required - check your referencing guidelines. For example:

Department of Health (2004) Population estimates. Available at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=6 (Accessed: 16 March 2006)

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2
Do you need to reference it?

You are talking about your interpretation of the figures shown in a series of graphs and explaining what they show.

a)
b)
That is correct. You do not need to reference in this instance because it is your own interpretation and analysis of the information. However, you do still need to acknowledge where the graphs came from.That is incorrect. You do not need to reference in this instance as it is your own interpretation and analysis of the information. However, you do still need to acknowledge where the graphs came from.Your answer has been saved.
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3
Do you need to reference it?

You are using a direct quote from an interview you heard on the radio.

a)
b)
Yes, information does not have to be from a printed source to need referencing. You must acknowledge the person whose words you are using.That is incorrect. Information does not have to be from a printed source to need referencing. You must acknowledge the person whose words you are using.Your answer has been saved.
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4
Do you need to reference it?

You have discussed an idea you read about in a book and then added your own views about this idea.

a)
b)
Yes, you need to reference the author of the book when you are talking about their ideas, but your own views about their ideas do not need to be referenced (because they are your views!).That is incorrect, you need to reference the author of the book when you are talking about their ideas, but your own views about their ideas do not need to be referenced (because they are your views!).Your answer has been saved.
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5
Do you need to reference it?

You have used information from a website, but there was no author listed.

a)
b)
Yes, you still need to reference the webpage as the source of the information. However, if you cannot find an author and do not therefore know who produced the information, you should consider whether it is a reliable source. For more information about evaluating sources, see Smart searching guide in Skills Plus.That is incorrect. You still need to reference the webpage as the source of the information. However, if you cannot find an author and do not therefore know who produced the information, you should consider whether it is a reliable source. For more information about evaluating sources, have a look at the Smart searching materials available in Skills Plus.Your answer has been saved.
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6
Do you need to reference it?

You are reflecting on your placement experience and what you have learnt during that period.

a)
b)
That is correct, you do not need to reference in this instance because these are your own personal ideas.That is incorrect because these are your own personal ideas so you do not have to reference them.Your answer has been saved.
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7
Do you need to reference it?

You want to use a particular phrase that an author has used that you feel expresses a concept or situation exactly.

a)
b)

Yes, you need to acknowledge that someone else used that phrase first to express a particular idea. You should put the phrase in single quotation marks to identify it. For example:

Goldsmith et al. (2003) talk about 'networked leaders' ............

That is incorrect. You need to acknowledge that someone else used that phrase first to express a particular idea. You should put the phrase in single quotation marks to identify it. For example:

Goldsmith et al. (2003) talk about 'networked leaders' ............

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