Referencing by RCSI Library - Video summarises the below text information
Referencing is a standardised way to acknowledge the sources you have used in your work, like information from websites, reports, books or journal articles. There are many different referencing systems, and the referencing systems used at RCSI are outlined on this guide.
Importantly, all referencing systems have the same goal: giving credit to another author and the prevention of plagiarism.
Referencing is a mandatory requirement for essays and projects at RCSI.
By referencing correctly you will credit another author's original ideas and/or work and thus, avoid plagiarism, which can be considered academic misconduct and is to be avoided. Referencing also tracks the exact source of any information used, so anyone interested can find and examine the sources you use..
Referencing helps demonstrate the research and reading you have undertaken and also the sources you have chosen to support your own thinking.
In general, proper referencing supports academic integrity across the institute. Academic integrity is based on the principles of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility - QQI.
Most referencing styles contain the same basic types of information about a source. These are the bibliographic details or bibliographic elements. The exact details and format required will depend both on the type of source and the referencing style.
Examples of required bibliographic details:
Practice: Put the reference entry elements in the correct order
Sources are the books, articles, reports and other material that you consult to write your paper.
Documenting involves acknowledging the sources you have used by providing full bibliographic details.
A citation is the source in the body of the paper (a number or author and date). The citation is linked to a corresponding reference.
References are the list of sources at the end of your document. A reference should give full bibliographic details to the guide the reader to the original source.
A direct quote is when you use the exact words from an original source.
A quote must be followed by a citation. The citation is connected to a reference at the end of your paper.
Paraphrasing is when you use someone else's ideas in your own words. Each paraphrase should include a citation.
Steps to effective paraphrasing (link to Purdue Online Writing Lab)
To complete an interactive lesson and useful overview of referencing, plagiarism and its key ideas, follow the below link:
ALL Aboard - Digital Skills in Higher Education - Referencing
All Aboard is a national project that aims to empower learners, teachers, and anyone who uses technology to support their work, their study, or other aspects of living in a digital age. Good luck!
Learners and researchers can apply the RADAR framework when evaluating and assessing information. RADAR will help you ask the right questions. Choosing the most suitable and reliable information to include in your writing and project work, and thus reference, is an important part of your academic journey.
