In academic writing, it's essential that you cite (state) your sources of information and ideas. To ensure readers know where you found the information you must include references.
You need to reference all the sources that you use in your assignments - by citing them in the main body of your assignment (an in-text reference) and compiling a full reference list at the end of your work.
A number of guides are available to help you get to grips with referencing:
Use this format for internal documents and policies. Some of the information you would usually put in might not be available, so you cannot include it.
In text
…aims to provide a top-class university education for all those qualified and able to benefit (Southampton Solent University 2015).
Reference list format:
AUTHOR, Year of publication. Title of document. Place of publication (if known): Publisher (if known) [viewed date if online]. Available from: URL (if known) [unpublished]
Example with place of publication and publisher (online)
SOUTHAMPTON SOLENT UNIVERSITY, 2015. Building an excellent university 2015-2020. Southampton: Southampton Solent University [viewed 29 July 2019]. Available from: http://portal.solent.ac.uk/documents/vco/southampton-solent-university-strategy-2015-2020.pdf?t=1541075154683 [unpublished]
Example without place of publication and publisher (online)
SOUTHAMPTON SOLENT UNIVERSITY, 2015. Building an excellent university 2015-2020 [viewed 29 July 2019]. Available from: http://portal.solent.ac.uk/documents/vco/southampton-solent-university-strategy-2015-2020.pdf?t=1541075154683 [unpublished]
Example of print document
SOUTHAMPTON SOLENT UNIVERSITY, 2015. Building an excellent university 2015-2020 [unpublished]
Anonymised Document
In Text
…at NHS Trust A (2017) the procedures for discharge are clearly drawn up.....
Reference List
ANONYMISED TRUST, Year of publication. Title of document. City or County where published ( leave out if this could identify source): Anonymised Trust [unpublished]
NHS TRUST A, 2017. Guidelines for discharge from hospital. Hampshire: NHS Trust A [unpublished]
NHS TRUST A, 2017. Guidelines for discharge from hospital. NHS Trust A [unpublished]
Take this tutorial to help you decide what kind of source you are trying to reference. If you recognise the type of source in front of you, it will help you get the reference right at the end of your piece of work.
RefWorks is a tool to help you to manage your references. You can export references directly from the library catalogue, databases and even Google Scholar directly into RefWorks and format them into Harvard SSU or other style as required. There is also a tool that can grab webpages and import them into account.
If you use RefWorks it will do most of the work for you, but it will make mistakes as it can only work with the data it can see - garbage in, garbage out. Check the output before submitting your assignments.
Watch the video on setting up a RefWorks account and adding references
This short video will demonstrate some additional tools you may wish to use
If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for or if you require further support for complex referencing issues, please contact referencing.support@solent.ac.uk.
Queries will be dealt with as quickly as possible but please allow up to 72 hours for a response from the Information team. Please note that this service does not include proof reading or checking of references.
