Harvard referencing style is a method of citing sources in academic writing. It is one of the most common referencing styles used in the UK and Australia.
In Harvard referencing, sources are cited in the text of the paper, and then listed in a reference list at the end of the paper. The reference list is alphabetical by the author's surname.
In-text citations
In-text citations in Harvard referencing follow the author-date format. This means that the author's surname and the year of publication are given in parentheses, after the relevant text.
For example:
As Smith (2017) argues, "The use of Harvard referencing style is becoming increasingly popular" (p. 1).
If you are quoting directly from a source, you should also include the page number in the in-text citation.
Reference list
The reference list at the end of the paper should include all of the sources that have been cited in the text. The references should be listed in alphabetical order by the author's surname.
The following is an example of a reference for a book:
Smith, J. (2017). The use of Harvard referencing style. London: SAGE Publications.
The following is an example of a reference for a journal article:
Jones, A., & Smith, B. (2018). The benefits of using Harvard referencing style. Journal of Academic Writing, 2(1), 1-10.
The following is an example of a reference for a website:
The University of Cambridge. (2023). Harvard referencing style guide. Retrieved from https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/referencing-and-bibliographies/harvard-referencing-style-guide
Other types of sources
Harvard referencing can also be used to cite other types of sources, such as:
- Conference papers
- Reports
- Theses
- Government publications
- Online sources
The specific format for citing these types of sources will vary, but the general principles of Harvard referencing will still apply.
Tips for using Harvard referencing.
Here are a few tips for using Harvard referencing:
- Make sure that you include all of the necessary information in your citations.
- Check your citations carefully for accuracy.
- Use a consistent style throughout your paper.
- Use a referencing tool to help you format your citations correctly.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your academic writing is properly referenced and that you avoid plagiarism.
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